Welcome!  Let me tell you a little bit about myself, my background in natural health, and what "Herbs of the Field" is all about.   

I was born in NJ, and have been living in FL for the last 22 years with my husband and two wonderful children (a 14 year old daughter and 18 year old son).

Like many people in this field, I became involved through a personal crisis in my life. 

It happened about eight years ago.  I was in, what I considered at the time to be, "good health".  Looking back...I was not.  I had been experiencing extreme mood swings and irregular cycles.  At barely 41, I didn't think menopause was a possibility.  I went to see my OB/GYN who told me that I actually was going into pre-mature menopause and he promptly put me on birth control pills to regulate my cycles, and help with the mood issues and other symptoms of PMS.  I was on the birth control pills for about a year, and the irregular cycles resolved...but the mood swings got worse.  My children didn't want to be around me when I got in one of my "moods".  I was like a different person.  I hated the way I was acting, but it was like I couldn't control myself. 

I again returned to my OB/GYN who informed me that I had PMDD.  He gave me a prescription for a drug called Serafem, (which I later found out was another name for a Prozac like drug!),  which he said would take care of all my symptoms.  I gladly took it. 

I was taking this drug for about a week when I noticed how much calmer I was.  I didn't have any outbursts that entire week.  I did, however, feel like I was in a big cloud all day long.  I thought,  at the time, even that was better than what I had been dealing with.

Then it happened,  one of the worse nights of my life.  I awoke out of a sound sleep feeling like I couldn't catch my breath.  I jumped out of bed and  noticed my left arm and leg were tingly and numb.  I thought maybe they had fallen asleep.  I ran in the bathroom to throw some water on my face.  I felt sick to my stomach and had cold sweats.  Then it hit me...I must be having a stroke or heart attack!  The panic set in.  I woke up my husband and told him something was wrong with me and he needed to take me to the ER right away.  Before I could explain more, I started feeling worse.  (Just writing this down is giving me chills!).  Both my legs felt numb and weak and I had to sit down for fear I'd collapse.  Then I felt like my throat was starting to tighten and close up.  I could barely suck in my breath.  I told my husband in the little words I could get out that he needed to call 911.  He did.  While we waited the 5 minutes for them to arrive (which seemed like hours), I gasped for him to tell the children I loved them...thinking I was going to die.

When the paramedics arrived, my heart rate was over 200!  I ended up in the ER for a full day of every test you could imagine.  When all was said and done, they said I either had a few small blood clots break off and cause the breathing issues, or it was a panic attack.  They said there was no way the drug I had taken could be the cause.  The OB/GYN agreed.  (I didn't).

Well, at 41, I had never had a panic attack of any kind.  I also wasn't stressed that week at all!  I was also sound asleep when it happened.  They sent me home with instructions to follow up with a cardiologist and my doctor, which I did with no conclusive results.  I continued to have minor attacks over the next several days (probably until the drug left my system), and then they stopped. 

I decided right then and there never to put another synthetic drug into my body unless it was life or death (and then to first consider the alternatives).  And I have done just that to this day!

I found a wonderful Naturopathic doctor through a referral from a friend...and the rest is history!  I am not saying there isn't a place for the medical community.  If I'm in a car accident or fall off a ladder and break my arm...take me right to the  ER.  But if I have the  flu, or an ear infection, a virus or need help going through menopause...give me Natural Remedies!

For the last several years I've been taking classes with a Naturopath...learning more every day.  I also completed my training with Certified Natural Health Professionals, and received my C.N.H.P. certification in Natural Health.  I am currently continuing my education at Trinity College in their N.D. (naturopathic doctor) program.

I currently do classes/talks to educate others on natural health.  I also do individual health evaluations using muscle testing, iridology (the study of the iris of the eye), and interviews with the client.  Together we try to come up with a plan of nutrition, lifestyle changes, and herbal and vitamin supplements that may be needed in order to put their body in balance and help it to heal itself the way God intended.

I am a Bible believing Christian and have a strong faith in God.  I know that no matter what herbs or remedies I can suggest…He is the one who ultimately does the healing.  I also believe that God has given us all that we need to help our bodies do what He designed them to do.  

What I hope to do with this website, is educate people so they can make informed desicions and take control of their own health.  I am learning new things every day.  My goal is to be able to share what I have found to be of value for a healthier lifestyle.

I have also listed the website links for the companies I trust the most for "medicinal" grade high quality herbs and supplements as well as other health related products.

Stay Healthy!

Barb