Welcome to my herb patch!
Like many people who grow herbs and dabble in making their own teas and remedies, friends and acquaintances will often ask if I know of a remedy for something that's ailing them.
If you are one of these friends, there are some important things for you to know:
I do not sell herbal remedies. Rather, when I wish to do so and as far as my budget will allow, I give away herbs, homemade remedies, and other concoctions. This is a personal hobby. It is not affiliated with Thistlebird, the brand under which I market and sell skin care products.
FAQ
But I just want to buy from you. Why can’t you sell your remedies?
In the United States, selling homemade herbal remedies is considered practicing medicine without a license, and is illegal. I am not a medical doctor, and so, I cannot and do not sell anything that might be construed as an attempt to diagnose, cure, mitigate, or prevent disease.
(Think I'm being over-cautious? Take a glance at this recent example.)
Additionally, some herbal preparations (such as tinctures and elixirs) contain alcohol, and cannot be sold without a state license — which I do not have, and have no desire to obtain.
That said, I do accept personal gifts to help me continue to create and give away herbal preparations.
OK. How much should I gift to you, then?
You do not need to give me anything. When I give away herbs, there are no strings attached. Please know, however, that unless you help to cover the cost, you may need to wait a while until I have saved up enough money to make your items.
If you'd like a sense of the fair value of an herbal remedy (e.g., cost of ingredients, time spent to prepare), just ask. You can also check the price of similar items online or in health food stores.
How can I send you a gift?
PayPal is a great way to send money online. You can find me there at http://www.PayPal.Me/waystone.
You can gift cash or checks in person, or mail them to me at:
Naomi Schoenfeld
10 Independence Drive
Merrimack, NH 03054
And finally, I have an Amazon.com wish list of herbalism-related books and items I’d love to have.
How do you use monetary gifts?
Since I have already spent my own money to prepare herbal remedies, gifts I receive are not ‘new’ money for me, but rather, help me recover my own expenses.
That said, keep in mind that you are giving a gift, not a donation. I am not registered as a non-profit, and your gift is not tax deductible. Like any gift recipient, I am free to use it as I please.
Are your herbal remedies safe and/or effective?
That's up to you to decide. I am not considered by U.S. law (see above) to have the expertise to make that determination, and while I would never intentionally give away something harmful, you certainly could be personally sensitive or allergic to ingredients in something I've made.
Compare it to a gift of homemade cookies baked by a friend. Those cookies were baked at home, maybe with little kids nearby and dishes in the sink, and not in a certified commercial kitchen. The cookies might have butter in them, which might not fit your diet, and that butter came from your friend’s fridge, not from a state-inspected, sealed container. Those cookies are a gift, from one person to another, and you are responsible for deciding whether it is a good idea to eat them.
My herbal remedies are given freely. They are made in my home. Their use — and indeed, folk herbalism as a whole — is not endorsed by the medical establishment. Ultimately, you must take responsibility your own health. Always use common sense when trying herbal preparations, and take into account your own personal preferences and health profile. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your health, or suspect any disease, please consult your physician.
Happy crafting,
Naomi
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