Claire Narensky
Herbalist
Consultations & Herbal Apothecary
Hillsborough, NC
Welcome
Choosing to use herbal medicine is to partake in a way of healing that is used the world over, often as the primary medicine. Roots, flowers, leaves, berries, and bark all hold medicinal compounds that can help us support our health. Rather than just treating symptoms, herbal medicine stimulates the body to heal itself and bring us back into balance.
By supporting the digestion, hormones, immune system, nervous system and strengthening our bodily adaptations to stress, we can gently but profoundly shift patterns to heal long-standing problems. In the vitalist tradition, it is believed that our bodies innately possess the instinct to heal, which means to make whole again. The plants and trees also embody their own spirit, or vital force, which works synergistically to stimulate this healing force in our own selves.
I particularly enjoy helping women during times of transition: menarche, pregnancy, new motherhood, and menopause. Often the problems that arise when we are seeking a new equilibrium are viewed as medical diseases and treated with the heavy hand of pharmaceuticals or surgery. However, with proper nutrition, herbal medicine, and self-care we can often make these transitions more gracefully, and use them as times to empower ourselves.
I also love helping mothers and fathers incorporate herbs into their lives with their children. They are an effective way to support oneself while parenting, and a joyful and gentle way for children to experience the healing powers of nature.
About Claire
Claire Narensky has been studying and practicing herbal medicine for the past twenty years. Her true beginnings can probably be traced back to childhood, finding solace and magic beneath the trees and the wild corners of her yard. She would often leaf through her mother’s old herb books and was drawn to sketches of flowers, Latin names, and the Materia Medica.
Her formal studies began in her twenties, under the mentorship of the late, esteemed herbalist Will Endres, who was taught in the Appalachian and Cherokee traditions. It is here she worked as an apprentice and gained her foundations in identifying plants, responsibly wildcrafting (gathering wild growing herbs and roots), and medicine making.
She has also completed the Herbal Therapeutics and Constitutional Evaluation course from Southwest School of Botanical Medicine. Most recently she has become a Certified Women’s Herbal Educator, graduating from Dr. Aviva Romm’s advanced training in herbal medicine for women.
Claire holds a B.A. in Anthropology from UNC-Chapel Hill. She also has completed training in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction at Duke Integrative Medicine.
She views the path of an herbalist as one of continuous learning, and is always looking to further her knowledge of both people and plants. By far her greatest teachings have come from her own personal healing and the people she’s had the privilege of working with. And of course, her time outside with the plants.
Claire is also a writer and finds that story, image and metaphor can be essential healing tools as well. She lives on the south fork of the Little River with her husband and two children.
Consultations
Working together, I consider myself a partner in your healing journey. I do not diagnose or treat disease, and expect that you will have a medical or naturopathic physician for this purpose.
I am a resource for you to learn about herbs that may be helpful for you to take charge of your own health. I can also support you in the process of making changes to your lifestyle. I’ll meet you where you’re at in this process, and we’ll go at the pace you're comfortable with. Some people want to make a lot of changes at once, while others would like to start with a simple tea at bedtime.
My intention is to help my clients learn to support their unique bodies, nourish their spirits, and deepen their connection with the earth.
Specialties:
—Menstrual and hormonal imbalances
—Fertility and pre-conception wellness
—Common concerns of pregnancy (i.e. morning sickness, cramping, itchy skin, prep for labor)
—Postpartum and breastfeeding health
—Menopause
—Anxiety/insomnia/exhaustion
—Urinary tract infections
—Autoimmune conditions
—Digestive issues
—Cold and flu immunity
—Herbal health for babies and children
—Herbal approaches to nervous system disorders in children and adults (i.e. anxiety, ADHD, migraine)
Initial Consultation:
After you contact me, I will send you a link to my portal where you can book your initial consult and fill out the health intake form. I prefer to do initial consults in person if possible, but a link can be provided for a secure telehealth/video call if needed instead. During this first consultation, we’ll talk about what is bothering you and your goals for health. We’ll look holistically at your health history, current lifestyle (including diet, sleep, relationships), and sources of stress. We’ll talk about what I think you can expect as far as timeline and the unfolding of your healing process, and ways I can support you. We’ll typically schedule a follow-up appointment for 1 month out to assess how things are going and make adjustments to the formulas. Someone working on a long-standing health issue such as an autoimmune condition may need 3-6 follow-ups, whereas someone with an acute issue such as morning sickness may need just one.
Within a few days I will email you a detailed protocol describing the herbs I recommend and what their properties are and how to take them—as well as any other recommendations we discussed. I’ll also mix together an herbal formula in the form of a tincture and/or tea, customized to your specific needs. These herbs can be shipped to your home, picked up at my home in Hillsborough, or picked up at my office in Durham, whichever is most convenient to you.
The Herbs:
Caring for our earth and the respectful use of plants is as important to me as the people I see. I was taught to love and use the plants that grow abundantly and persistently around us—our local weeds! People are often amazed at the incredible healing properties of the plants we commonly find underfoot. My apothecary is stocked with many of these herbs I have sustainably wildcrafted. I am also fortunate to be able to grow many herbs at my parents’ pesticide-free farm in Timberlake. When I don’t have what I need for a client, I turn to other local herbalists first, and then to larger companies that I know and trust to source what I need. I’m an active member of the United Plant Savers and currently trying to populate my heavily wooded land with at-risk medicinal plants such as goldenseal and black cohosh.
Please use the contact form below to get in touch and discuss any questions or to schedule an appointment.
Fees:
-Initial Consultation (1-1.5 hours)—$125
This includes 1 to 1.5 hours of time talking together, after which I’ll determine the best herbs for your situation, write up a detailed protocol, and mix your formulas. You will be invoiced after I send the protocol and the herbs are ready.
-Follow-Up Consultation (usually 30-45 minutes)—$60
This will be time to assess how the protocol is working and any adjustments that need to be made. This can be done on phone or video call if preferred.
(Clients who have not followed up in many months and are coming with new health concerns should expect to spend an hour which will be $80).
-Simple Email Check-ins—No Charge
These are for quick questions that take 5 minutes of my time or less to respond to. For your own well-being, longer, more complicated questions should be scheduled as a Follow Up.
-Cost of herbs separate from consultations:
Available to clients only:
$12 per fluid ounce tincture
$6 per ounce loose tea
-Check or credit card accepted
-Access to Care:
I believe herbal medicine is for everybody and healthcare is a human right. I have a compassionate and non-judgmental approach and strive to learn from my clients. All are welcome regardless of race or ethnicity, gender identity, financial status or personal history.
If these prices are too high for you, please let me know. I have several appointments reserved monthly on a sliding scale, and hope to have a monthly free clinic day available in the future.