I did not think that infertility would be part of my story. But my experience with infertility spanned four years, and I experienced a profound inner journey. I learned significant life lessons, including how to relinquish control, surrender to the process,...
Imagine if it became more difficult every time you went to unlock your front door. The key began to stick and required some jiggling, eventually not working at all. Well, that’s ok, you’ve got a spare key. It works at first, but over time the same problem happens....
When people embark on their New Year’s resolutions, many get into an all or nothing, perfection-over-failing mentality. Too often, we set unrealistic expectations for ourselves and become overwhelmed when we don’t meet them. This can lead to feelings of failure and...
In the past several decades, general practitioners are seeing an increased trend in abdominal pain. Meanwhile patients are wrestling with confusion about diet, lifestyle, and how they impact abdominal symptoms and gut health. Questions such as: “Should I try Paleo?...
This October it’s not just zombies that are suffering from brain fog. “Why did I just walk into this room?” “Where did I put my keys?” These questions probably sound familiar as most of us will have temporary lapses in memory or focus. But when the frequency of these...
You have heard of primary care, but what is integrative primary care? And how does integrative primary care differ from traditional primary care models? Integrative medicine is defined as healing-oriented medicine that takes account of the whole person, including all...
Are you stressed, anxious, or feeling depleted? Adding the fast pace of modern life to the ongoing uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic has increased stress for many. A recent survey found that, “…Two-thirds of adults (63%) agreed that uncertainty about what...
As a nation, we are entering flu season in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. For those of us who live in cooler winter climates, this means that we need to figure out new strategies. How do we stay healthy as the weather turns darker and colder? How do we stay both...
“Mindfulness helps you go home to the present.” – Thich Nhat Hanh While there are formal courses in mindfulness, it is a moment-to-moment practice. Even the awareness of when we are not mindful allows us to come back to the present moment. Practicing mindfulness...
The smell of tomatoes ripening on the vine, the sound of a hummingbird zooming past, and the sight of an early morning summer sky are just a few of the pleasures gardening offers. Add to that list the anti-inflammatory effects of fresh vegetables and the myriad health...
Screens seem necessary right now. They have become our primary way to connect to loved ones, keep up with the news, manage learning for our children, entertain ourselves, and continue working (for working remotely). Without tech and media, life during the COVID-19...
On June 11, we will be hosting a virtual class, “The Power of Your Story” with Anthony Layman. Mr. Layman is in the process of getting his Masters through Lenoir Rhyne University in the developing field of Narrative Medicine. As this is a relatively new discipline,...
We all are experiencing varying degrees of stress and worry right now. In response to this collective challenge, Integrative Family Medicine of Asheville’s providers came together to brainstorm resources, strategies, and ideas for how we could all reduce the noise...
An Interview about budgeting for health with OnTrack WNC and IFMA Health Coach, Ariana Figueroa, NBC-HWC. Money, debt, savings, and retirement: these subjects are not usually discussed directly when meeting with a doctor. Yet we carry our finances with us as we...
Many of us want some aspects of our lives to be different. Are you content? Are you happy with your health, relationships, and work? It can be really challenging to make changes that stick. On the one hand, we would like to be stronger and healthier; on the other...
By Herbalist Erin Smith It’s the peak of summer. If you are like me, you are probably spending a lot of time outdoors – with the plants, with the water, with a good book, or perhaps all of the above. While summer is a great time for all herbs, here are a few must have...
Plant Profile: Linden/Lime (Tilia spp.)From Herbalist Erin Smith This time of year the air is sweet with Linden. These beautiful trees provide luscious green shade and have a sweet, sensuous smell that will stop you in your tracks. If you’ve ever walked down a street...
Plant Profile: Elder (Sambucus nigra)From Herbalist Erin Smith As winter gets closer, the cold and flu season is upon us. One of the best herbs for this season is Elder (Sambucus nigra). It offers gentle yet powerful support to promote your supports your body’s...
Plant Profile: Burdock (Arctium lappa) From Herbalist Erin Smith For many, their first experience of Burdock is finding its burs stuck to their clothing or trying to untangle it from dog fur. Besides these Velcro inspiring burs, Burdock is also an ancient medicine in...
Plant Profile: Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) From Herbalist Erin Smith Thistles get a bad rap. They are often looked at as the peskiest of weeds for their persistence and thorny nature that makes them difficult to remove by hand. But as is often the case with our...
