As a qualified and experienced medical herbalist, I’ve always been quietly confident and pretty relaxed about my ability to provide effective natural remedies for a wide range of health problems. However, when my beloved dog Holly became ill with a skin infection recently, I found myself grappling with self doubt in my knowledge and skills as a herbalist.
Holly has been my loyal companion for 7 years, bringing joy, companionship, and a sense of security to my life in ways I never imagined. So when I noticed her displaying symptoms of discomfort and distress, and saw the raw patch of skin on her groin, I was filled with fear as she had never had any health problems previously. I could barely recall the little training I had in treating pets from over 20 years ago, so I was afraid.
A friend was telling me I should take her to the vet, but this didn’t feel right for me. As a herbalist, my first instinct was to turn to the natural remedies I know and trust. I had to remind myself that I am a herbalist and I can figure this out. I took my time and carefully selected a blend of herbs that had anti-fungal, antibacterial, and immune stimulating properties, did some research to check they weren’t contraindicated for dogs, and trusted that they would help Holly overcome her infection and restore her health.
When we have a child or pet who is unwell, we want them to improve immediately. We want the silver bullet. I noticed that I was being impatient with Holly’s healing process, and questioned whether I was doing the right thing. Was I doing enough? Should I be considering conventional antibiotics instead? What if my herbal remedies weren’t effective and I ended up taking her to the vet feeling ashamed of my failed DIY efforts?
I did some research online and found a holistic vet about an hour’s drive from my home, and decided that if there were no improvements after the weekend then I would give them a call and make an appointment. With my backup plan in place, I continued with the herbal treatment.
To overcome my doubt, I turned to my 20 plus years of experience for evidence. I reminded myself of the numerous times I’ve seen the power of herbal medicine first hand, both in my own life and in the lives of my clients. I trusted in the wisdom of nature and the healing properties of the plants. My mother was a nurse, and the way she looked after us when we were unwell taught me some basic nursing skills. The combination of my herbal medicine knowledge and home nursing skills helped me take good care of my dog.
Day by day, I could see signs of improvement. Holly’s infection started to heal, her appetite returned, and she regained her effervescence, eager to go out for her morning walk. Even though my dog didn’t like taking the herbs or having her wounds bathed, she trusted me to help her heal.
The successful herbal treatment of Holly has boosted my confidence and belief in my ability to figure out a problem, formulate a strategy to solve it, and put the plan into action until I get the desired outcome. It reminded me to feel the fear, acknowledge my doubts, take action amidst uncertainty, and do it anyway. This is how I roll.
Looking back on this experience, I’m reminded of the importance of maintaining our confidence by staying true to ourselves. People and life may cause us to doubt ourselves at times, but having confidence and trust in yourself will help you bounce back more rapidly.
Do you struggle with self confidence and are easily rattled by other peoples opinions? Do you hold yourself back from taking brave steps to do the things your heart desires? Or are you struggling with a health problem the medical system is unable to solve? If you desire greater confidence in yourself to live a more joyful and fulfilling life, or want a natural solution for your health problem, make an appointment for a Discovery Call today (click here) to discuss how I can help.
