Meet Kristin | Herbs + Healing

Herbalism: the study of botany and use of plants intended for medicinal purposes

• Have you ever noticed your sudden inability to stomach food when you’re nervous?
• Or maybe you get a feeling deep in your belly when something just isn’t quite right.
• Maybe it’s intuition.
• Maybe it’s science.

I’m a big believer in the gut // brain connection.

I had never experienced such physical rebellion by my own body than when I was at my lowest, mentally. Stress, anxiety, and my overwhelming desire to know my place in the world (as if we ever know) left my mind and body extremely weak.

• I was practicing yoga,
• Trying to breathe,
• Seeing multiple medical doctors,
• But my stomach was still in knots.

 

For the last couple of years, I had been working at a yoga studio that doubled as a tea bar. I had never been a fan of tea, but there I was tumbling, head-first into the land of herbalism.

• I physically handled the herbs.
• I learned their smells, tastes, and feel.
• I researched their benefits, effects, and uses.
• And lo, and behold, I began to see just how transformational (and delicious) these plants could be.

Kristin Henningsen is a Clinical Herbalist and Registered Yoga Teacher who inspired me from day one.

How did your journey to becoming a clinical herbalist begin? What initially interested you in herbs and their healing properties?

Kristin: My interest in clinical herbalism began in college when I started to research how ancient peoples used medicinal plants.  I started to see the connection of how these plants have continued to be used in traditional cultures as an effective and accessible way to treat conditions, and their value in our healthcare system today as well.  

What are other methods of holistic healing that you are interested in?

K: So many! I think that a holistic approach to health needs to include some body-based practices such as yoga therapy, massage therapy, as well as dietary changes.  It might also require a more targeted approach like acupuncture. The beauty in holistic health practices is that we can use the therapy that resonates best with us.

How is tea considered to be “healing?”

K: I think that really depends on what kind of tea you’re talking about.  Is it a formula specifically for digestive health, stress reduction, sleep, etc.?  Medicinal teas can have a wide range of uses. Their effects are both physiological as well as emotional.  Sometimes we need to just press pause on our busy lives and sit with a cup of tea, and that in itself has beneficial effects.

What are your top 3 favorite herbs?

K: So hard to choose!  Right now I’ve been using a lot of Tulsi (Holy Basil), Peppermint, and Chamomile.

What would you say is the most important aspect of nature?

K: It’s our connection to nature that’s most important.  How can we support the land? How can we ensure that it’s there for future generations.  We can’t survive without it.

How can people appreciate nature more?

K: I think folks appreciate nature more when they physically connect with it.  Go for a walk (without a device!), breath in the smells of the plants, take in the beauty, and hear the sounds. Don’t be scared of it, just respect your place in it.

Are there any benefits of having direct physical contact with the earth?

K: Absolutely.  Everyone needs to walk barefoot outside at least once a day! It’s the same idea of connecting with the earth and the plants around you.  The more you disconnect, the easier it is to feel untethered and caught up in the busyness of the world.

 

Kristin handcrafted all of the tea blends at the studio. She designed each concoction to elicit a specific reaction:

• To feel “Grounded”
• To be “Happy”
• To help you “Dream On”

She was also an instructor who spoke less about the physical body and more about the energetical body. She integrated mantras, quotes, and movements into her yoga classes that made you stop, think, and consider your source. She talked a lot about mind + body connection, and our interrelatedness to all living things.

You could say I was a bit in awe of her.

I could tell Kristin knew ways of healing I had never considered before, so I sought her help.She took me on as a client, using her specialty in herbs to help ease my physical discomfort.

She asked questions I hadn’t given thought to. She took me deeper into myself to see how what was happening in my body was a direct result of what was happening in my head.She gave me a personalized herbal formula to lessen my physical symptoms until I could address and accept what was happening in my head. She provided me with an alternative, holistic approach to heal my whole body.

The gut cannot be cured without addressing the brain. And now I know.

Looking for more? Here’s one last tip:

For someone who doesn’t use herbs or drink tea, what flavor/tea/herb serves as the best way to begin incorporating this ancient practice into their everyday lives?

K: Start with simple and delightful flavors.  Chamomile and peppermint are great places to start.  Add in some lavender or rose petals to make it magical.

Do I hear the kettle singing, or is that just wishful thinking?