Spotlight on Herbalist Amanda Komisarek

Today our spotlight on health is with herbalist Amanda Komisarek CHP, CRMT, owner of Lion’s Tooth Wellness.

I became an herbalist on accident. I took a class in college called Feminist Spirituality that talked about an herbal center that used plants as medicine called Misty Meadows, in Lee NH.   Upon hearing this I was intrigued, having heard of things like aromatherapy, I wanted to check it out. And since Lee, was right down the road from UNH, I decided to take a trip.  I went to visit Misty Meadows, and saw that on one of their information tables was an application for an Herbal Apprenticeship Program starting that May. I wasn’t even really sure what that meant, but I decided to apply and see what happened. Well, I was accepted and participated in the 6 month apprenticeship and my life was never the same again. I completely fell in love the world of herbs. It felt like I already knew the information, it made so much sense.  From that day on, I haven’t stopped studying plants, along with other modalities of integrative and alternative health therapies. Some of my favorites being, Ayruveda, Reiki, healing with whole foods and Flower Essence Therapy. That’s the beauty of this work, the information to learn is limitless!

My days vary throughout the season. Some days I will be seeing clients for whole health consultations, or Reiki treatments. Other days I will be working in my “laboratory” concocting herbal products and teaching classes at night.  And on another day you can find me zoning out on the computer updating my website, sending out class schedules via email and marketing myself on facebook for way too many hours. I will be at a farmer’s market or holiday show selling my wares another day.  Each day is different, which I love, because I can be flexible with myself and my clients schedules. Since spring has hit you’ll now find me in Bedford, NH on Sundays and Mondays playing in the gardens at my parents house getting all of my herbal babies going in the greenhouse, and wild crafting native plants in the woods. I try to make myself have a set schedule, but it just never works:)

Health and wellness is a practice, a lifestyle and something that needs to be eased into for most people. Taking care of ourselves is a full time job, and not always an easy one. When someone comes to me for a whole health consult we will first look at health history, their dietary habits, exercise habits, recreation habits (what do they do for fun?) sleeping habits and spiritual support habits. I like to start from the bottom up with people, because I don’t believe in using “quick fixes” even with herbs. Many medicines can be used to treat symptoms, which can be very helpful and necessary in many situations, but fail to actually get to the sources of the symptoms to alleviate them for good. By talking to my clients about the importance of whole foods, laughter, exercise and even the simple act of drinking water, I find that many of the symptoms begin to drop away even before looking at supplements and herbs. After talking about their history and lifestyle specifics, this is where I then turn to herbs, if it feels right to myself and the client.  My clients take an active role in deciding what feels right for them. I will never say “You need to take this herbal remedy.” When someone comes to see me, it isn’t me treating them, it is a team effort where we are both working together to find the best changes for their individual needs.  Herbs come in many forms; teas, extracts, aromatherapy, flower essences etc. It will depend on the person and their specific concerns as to which form we will choose. I use pulse & facial assessment as well as muscle testing/kinesiology to assist in determining the proper fit for an herb and a client. Sometimes in certain circumstances, I will even wait on the herbs, and talk about Reiki instead. In situations of acute pain, emotional trauma, or even exhaustion, Reiki can be an invaluable tool and support.

More recently, it has been a focus of mine to educate people about health through classes on herbs and how anyone can make their own medicine for themselves, their friends and families. This is what the Herbal Empowerment Series 5 week course is all about, that I am starting next week. I am very excited about it. I feel it is my responsibility to empower people to take responsibility for their own health and to help them realize that there is so much they can do for themselves, preventatively, that will support and nourish their minds, bodies and spirits.

That is such a hard question because I love all of my work for different reasons. Making products is so fun because it is a wonderful creative outlet for me. I love coming up with new crazy concoctions! I love seeing clients and helping to give people the tools they need to take care of themselves in consultations. I love giving Reiki, because there is nothing more magical than seeing something as intangible as Reiki, work so many times over and over, especially with those non-believers. I love teaching classes because spreading the knowledge of the plants is so important to me and something everyone can benefit from- plus it helps me to re-learn things I’ve forgotten too. And finally I love getting my hands in the dirt! Being outside in the woods and gardens, in the spring and summer feeds my spirit like nothing else. So, I guess I would have to say that my favorite part of my work is that is its always changing and there are so many aspects to it!

The one thing I wish everyone knew about herbal practitioners is that we are all so different. There are 20 different ways you can use even a single plant. There are even more ways that each herbal practitioner can use plants with their individual clients. Some herbalists use plants like pharmaceuticals, some use them like foods, others use only the spirit of the plant.  Some practice herbs under Traditional Chinese Medicine, some under Ayurvedic Traditions, some under the Wise Woman Tradition, and then some, like me, use a mish-mash of everything in between!  Each plant is different, each pracitioner is different, each client is different. We all have something very unique to offer each other.

Thanks so much Amanda for sharing your wisdom with us! To learn more visitwww.lionstoothwellness.com