Whole Plants For Whole People
Mission
I believe that everyone should have the option and opportunity to get the kind of care they want and deserve, regardless of income, identity, or place. Herbalism should be accessible, it is a human birth right. Our backyards are filled with plants that can help restore and maintain our health.
When used properly botanical medicine can be safe and effective. However there are circumstances when herbs shouldn’t be taken or should be taken with caution. For example; herb drug interactions, children, pregnancy, and breast/chest feeding all require special consideration. This is were working with an experienced herbalist comes in. I am confident in navigating herb drug interactions, herbal research as well as scientific research. I practice through a western bio-regional, energetic lens and bridge together my education in clinical herbalism, full spectrum doula and science classes towards nursing. Some core values in my practice are approaching our sessions from a heart centered, harm reduction, trauma informed, affirming, and inclusive space. I offer a sliding fee scale for my services, making sure care is accessible.
I offer a free feeler 15 minute call to see if we match
email me hagbotanicals@protonmail.com
Credentials
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College pre-req courses for nursing including: microbiology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology, statistics and more.
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Northeast School of Botanical Medicine intensive program, class of 2013- A clinical and science based program, that offers a comprehensive overview of anatomy and physiology, botany, rural first aid skills, integrative medicine, and clinical herbalism. 7song is a co-founder of the Ithaca Free Clinic. A free clinic that integrates Doctors, nurses, and herbalists, Located in Ithaca, NY.
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Lindera Herbal Intensive with Jim Mcdonald class of 2014- This program focuses on western herbalism focusing on bio -regional herbalism, Michigan native plants, with an energetic approach in White Lake MI.
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DONA Birth Doula Training year of 2014 at the center for the childbearing year in Ann Arbor, MI.
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Full spectrum doula training/certification through cornerstone doula training. This training covers; Reproductive justice, medical and maternal racism, harm reduction, pregnancy loss, grief and death, abortion, supporting sex workers, supporting incarcerated folk trans support, and CPS and foster systems.
- Full spectrum pregnancy loss with molly Dutton-Kenny
- Respectful pelvic exams Molly Dutton-Kenny
- Medications for pregnancy loss and abortion management with Molly Dutton-Kenny
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Out Reach Coordinator for the Southeast Michigan Doula Project. A non profit that provides free or low cost doula services to families.
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A coordinator for the Great Lakes Herb Faire for the last 6 years. A weekend event that hosts classes taught by renowned clinical herbalists/ND’S/DR’S/nurses from all over the country in Chelsea, Michigan.
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First Aid Coordinator for the Great Lakes Herb Faire for the last 6 years. Provide herbal first aid to over 300 attendees all weekend long.
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Founder of the Community Care Camper. Mobilizing free herbal services to vulnerable communities in and around Ann Arbor, MI.
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Co-Owner of Black Locust Gardens Herb Farm, a 30 acre medicinal herb farm, plant nursery, and apothecary growing over 30 different varieties of plants.
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The Art of Distillation, and safety of Essential Oils. A two week course, studied in Southeast France taught by Aromatherapist Cathy Skipper.
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Hours of courses on clinical herbalism taught by herbalists like:
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Guido Mase (RH, Teacher of herbal medicine at the University of Vermont) Herbal pharmacology, herbal integratvie cancer protocols, Herbs for cognition, focus, and brain health.
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(Mary Bove, ND) Midwifery care herbs for pregnancy and birth
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(Mary Bove, ND) adaptogens and women’s health
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(Tori Hudson, ND) Abnormal uterine bleeding causes and integrative solutions
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(Mary Bove, ND) Herbal galactagogues
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(Aviva Romm, MD) Safe use of herbs in pregnancy
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(Chanchal Cabrera) natural medicine for ovarian cysts
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(Katy Stage ND) multiphasic dosing during a women’s cycle
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Margi Flint (RH, teacher of herbal medicine at Tufts Medical School, author, clinical herbalist), reading the body
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Maria Noel Groves (RH, clinical herbalist, author) brain-boosting herbs, herbal and natural support for thyroid health, bringing balance to the endocrine system, soothing herbs and gut repair
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Jody Noe (ND, RH, author) Medical strategies for integrative cancer therapies.
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7song herbalism for underserved communities
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Althea Northage-Orr (RH)- herbal treatment of auto-immune diseases, bacterias, biofilms and their treatment
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Pamela Ruane (DR)- Avoiding polypharmacy in herbal medicine
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John Redden (RH) How to compose an herbal compound from intake to prescription
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Leslie Williams (RH) -herbal interactions
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Leslie Alexander (RH)- oral care: why it matters and how to work with clients
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Erika Gelantin (RH)- demystifying herb-drug interactions
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Lindsey feldpausch- Plant Phyto-chemistry
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Trauma informed Herbalism, support for non binary folks and transitioning and so much more!
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Things I am looking to do, lactation consultant class, heart and hands midwifery intensive, opening up a community herb shop education center on the farm, building a team to help with the camper, and teaching. Stay tuned!
Work With Me
Postpartum Doula
It’s such an honor when working with people during the postpartum period of their lives. There is a huge gap in care for people after childbirth especially in America and this is a time many people need the most support. I cherish nurturing and honoring the new mother/parent, and guiding them through the ups and downs of postpartum with validating, affirming, and compassionate herbal care.
Learn More
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You have the right to early postpartum visits and individualized postpartum care! Have an issue come up and want to use herbs? I am here for you.
- This is traditionally a time for women/people to rest, nourish, and bond with their baby. Having support to do so, is life changing and benefits not only your healing process but also your relationship with your baby.
- As a mother myself I know how challanging the childbearing year can be. I meet you with compassionate, trauma informed, and affiming care.
- What I offer is bridging together my training as a herbalist and helping you through postpartum woes, giving you a holistic postpartum experience.
- Currently my schedule with a child myself is somewhat limited so I offer more virtual or in person consultation support, if issues arise that you would like herbs for.
- I can offer virtual consultations around breastfeeding, mastitis, clogged ducts, mental and emotional well being, nutrition, c-section support, scar management, and other general healing questions.
- Nutrition. Food access is a huge issue in this country, and nutrition is the foundation for a healthy recovery. With my years of organic farming, and being a herbalist with a deep knowledge on whole food nutrition. I can individualize meal plans and source food from local farms. I focus on organic vegetables, wild foods, and local meat, to ensure you are getting enough healthy fats, proteins, carbohydrates, and minerals.
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Lactation Issues. I have taken classes on herbal galactagogues and can help make a custom plan for you, to help with your breastfeeding goals.
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Supplement suggestions, and breastfeeding bumps. Custom formulas can be made to help clear up clogged ducts to prevent mastitis, ease pain and empower you to be able to help yourself through your breastfeeding journey. I can also help with breastfeeding support, by showing you good latches, how to use your pump, breastfeeding on demand, and ease your anxieties through feeding your new baby.
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I love to make herbal bath blends, face masks, and teas, so you can feel pampered. Slip into a warm bath, with a mask and tea while I put the baby to sleep.
- Help with processing your birth experience I can be a non judgmental ear and can help you with mental health or hormonal issues after birth.
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And sometimes you don’t need any herbs at all, you just need someone to help throw a load of laundry in, clean your house, make a meal, and let you nap or shower.
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Interested in my help? Fill out the contact form below, and we can set up a free consultation.
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If you are a postpartum person navigating drug use, incarceration I am here for compassionate care as well.
- I work on a sliding fee scale, BIPOC are prioritized for reduced rates. I am always open to talking about meeting you were your financial needs are.
Sliding Fee Wellness Coaching
I offer on farm and virtual herbal consultations. I bring my years of education, and training with me during each consultation to work with you one on one. Currently only supporting pregnancy release or loss. However you can email me to see if I can work with you.
My educational consultations are around 60-90 minuets long, We will go over your intake form together addressing your health history, body systems, current medications, and together decide which conditions to address initially based on urgency and personal choice. I will work on 1:1 education around how to support the body by bringing systems back into balance. This may be achieved by using herbal preparations, supplements, and lifestyle/dietary adjustments. After the consultation I will blend a custom formula for you. Each consultation you get a month supply of herbs included in the price. Please print out the intake form, and email it back to me.
Pregnancy Release/ Loss Consultant
I offer on farm and virtual consultations. I bring my years of education, and training with me during each consultation to work with you one on one.
Terminating a pregnancy can be a complex experience, and is handled differently by each individual. Pregnancy loss and release (abortion) can be two very different experiences, but also share a lot of the same emotions and/or experiences. For most of us abortion and pregnancy loss is highly stigmatized making many seek care alone. This can lead to feelings of isolation from our friends, family and communities. This isolation and stigma can be painful, and is unnecessary. I believe in de- stigmatizing abortion and pregnancy loss and giving each person an educated, evidence-based, non-biased space to talk while also supporting the person with herbs if they choose to do so. I am a trained full spectrum doula through cornerstone doula training, and trained as a full spectrum pregnancy loss support person through Molly dutton-kenny (midwife) Please check out the resource list at the end of this for help with abortion access, funds and hotlines for pregnancy loss and abortion.
Learn More
- Want to have a holistic abortion? Want to feel supported with herbs, 6 weeks of in person or virtual support? As a herbalist my passion is using herbs alongside your chosen plan. You CAN have an empowering abortion, alongside a spectrum of emotions.
- As a trained abortion doula, I offer a consultation before your treatment, to discuss your emotional and physical concerns. I warmly and compassionately meet you were you’re at. I can educate you on your chosen treatment process to empower you and answer any unknowns
- I can offer herbs to help with cramping, anxiety, immune strength, and follow up with mental and physical self-care tips. If you are not supported during that decision and don’t have any way to get to your appointment, please let me know so I can see if I can help
- Unfortunately people have medical and/or sexual trauma, making going to a clinic difficult. I can help you navigate the process and help you choose the right procedure for you. I can also be an advocate for your medical requests.
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I can provide at home comfort measures
- I can help with your self managed abortion, provide and guide you through at home comfort measures. If you are a client I am working with virtually I can send herbs that can help with comfort measures in the mail.
- I like to invite rituals if you find that they help you through the process, and draw from your own strengths and coping mechanisms you like to use to help you through difficult times.
- Because I treat this period of time like I would for someone who is newly postpartum. My packages include 6 weeks of on going support through email and/or phone/zoom/ in person. We chat once a week, for up to two hours if needed, (in person or virtual) text with any concerns any or every day. Custom tea blends tinctures, and/or salves are included in price. Packages are on a sliding fee scale 300 (50 dollars per visit) – 600 (100 dollars per visit). Also open to other financial arrangements, or whatever works best for you.
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An abortion doula does not provide abortions. We are only here to provide compassionate and science based support for the full spectrum of fertility.
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My resource list below, includes getting abortion pills, getting contraception, and education.
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Update 10/25/18 women can now get the abortion pills mailed to them. please go to aidaccess.org
For a list of clinics please visit abortioncarenetwork.org
Do You Offer Payment Plans
Yes of course I do! Payments can be made in full or they can be split into 2-3 payments depending on your financial situation. However please make an inital deposit at the beginning of our work together.
Who Do You Work With?
I tend to work with AFAB people on reproductive issues, pregnancy, postpartum, loss, termination, mood disorders, anxiety, digestive issues, and pelvic pain to name a few. However my clincal herbalism training covered all subjects. I practice harm reduction, inclusivity, and trauma informed care.
I do not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.
How Much Do Supplements Cost?
Supplements can be expensive. I always provide a variety of different prices and links when I send you our follow up email. Generally speaking the initial investment for a month supply can be upwards to 80-100 dollars. This all depends on what we are working on. If you can’t afford supplements I do always provide food options and possibly herbs that we can incorporate into a dietary plan to incorporate more vitamins and minerals.
supplements are not always part of a protocol.
How Does Your Custom Formula Plan Work After Our Consult?
Unfortunately Financially I can’t cover the cost of custom formulas throughout the entirety of working together.
Included in the price of your first visit, I make a custom herbal formula after our initial consultation. From there if needed, we can work on a sliding fee scale to either provide you the same formula or a different one.
For the first consultation I ship you at least one formula in a 4oz bottle that should last for one month when taken as directed. I might also provide you with one or two more 1/ 2 ounce single herbs or formulas, or a tea blend. When restoring ones health a squirt of a tincture here and there is not going to cut it. We need consistency and compliance in order to see real change!
Meet Alex (she/her/femme)
The plant path is an ever winding one. It may be full of bridges to cross, rivers to paddle up, and mountains to climb. But I will be with you along the way-guiding you.
In order for a clearing we need both of us to show up and do the work. I am LGBTQIA loving, and am a queer femme. I am here to educate, empower, and be a non judgmental ear. I look forward to hearing from you.
“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence. It is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare ” Audre Lorde
Herbalism is about choice.
I am here to help you make the best choice for yourself, your family, and your lifestyle.
