I completely understand the frustration and confusion that comes with trying to find real answers about your health. I was raised, like many of us, to trust the Western medical model without question. From a young age, I struggled with asthma and allergies. My mom was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when I was 12, and with every illness came a new prescription – for both her and me. By the time I was a teenager, my hands were damaged from years of steroid creams. The skin had become so thin that almost anything would trigger an allergic reaction.

My mom was prescribed so many medications that it became hard to tell whether her symptoms were from her condition or the side effects of the meds. It seemed like every new symptom led to yet another prescription, and with each one came more side effects. It was a never-ending cycle.

After graduating from college, I went into healthcare myself. For over 20 years, I transcribed medical dictations for doctors, and I saw the same cycle playing out over and over – symptoms, meds, side effects… and patients just getting sicker. Deep down, I knew there had to be a better way.

The turning point for me came after I vaccinated my 5th child. The reaction she had was so severe that I couldn’t ignore it. Before the shot, she was lively, made eye contact, and babbled happily. Afterward, she became distant, not making eye contact and very quiet. It was like a light had dimmed. Thankfully, her body detoxed over the following months, and I saw her spark return. This was when I knew I had to start questioning everything I thought I knew about health.

Determined to find a better way, I became certified as a Master Herbalist through The School of Natural Healing and started my clinical practice.

The changes I made in my own life and with my mom were life-changing. We made small but powerful lifestyle adjustments, and as we did, my mom needed fewer medications. We managed to wean her off 15+ meds, down to just two (which we carefully reduced because of withdrawal risks). She lost almost 100 pounds and is now thriving! As for me, I no longer struggle with asthma, and my allergies are so much better – I can even be around cats and dogs without issues!

I’ve learned to use herbal medicine to manage everyday illnesses, from coughs and colds to stomach bugs, and I teach others to do the same. This passion for lifelong learning led me to explore genetics and epigenetics, which is where I truly saw the power of combining traditional healing with science. By understanding how our genetics influence our health, we can support our bodies in the way they were designed to heal and thrive.

Today, I use a combination of genetic testing, lab analysis through a functional medicine lens, herbs, and supplements to help my clients reach optimal health. It’s all about restoring balance and allowing the body to heal naturally.

I’ve written an ebook titled Divine Design: A Holistic Path for Health & Healing, created an online course called The Balanced Body Training Series, and published a children’s book, Gracie’s Healing Garden, to help spread this message. My goal is simple: to shift the focus of healthcare back to health and away from the current “sick-care” system that keeps us dependent on medications.

My hope and prayer is that, together, we can ignite a movement – one herb, one client at a time – and help others rediscover the natural healing abilities of their bodies and the gifts that nature provides.

Cheers to your health!

With love,
Carmen