
Maria Williford, BSN, Clinical Herbalist, Restorative Health Practitioner in Gastrointstinal Health
Frequently asked questions
As your herbalist, I will consider all of your needs - physical, emotional, spiritual, nutritional and lifestyle. I will strive to empower you, giving you the space to be heard, the time you need to heal, and the knowledge to reach your wellness goals. I do not diagnose, prescribe or treat medical conditions nor can I give you advise on any of your pharmaceuticals or medications at any time. During your appointment, we will review each body system, looking at how individual symptoms relate to patterns affecting your body as a whole. Then I will create a customized herbal protocol that matches you with the best herbs to support your unique constitution.
You are in charge of transforming your health. I will walk with you on the pathway to revitalizing your health. Holistic herbal protocols help guide your body in its innate healing abilities.
Custom herbal protocols are formulated specifically for your constitution. Both plants and people have energetics - hot, cold, damp, dry, tense, or relaxed. As your clinical herbalist, I work to match your specific energetics and health concerns with the energies of the plants to formulate your custom blend. I might use tinctures, herbal infusions (medicinal herbal teas), or supplements within your custom formula.
Using herbs requires time and dedication to see a real difference in your health. You may notice some changes immediately and at other times there will be slow, subtle changes over weeks or months. I want you to feel you can fit these herbal protocols into your busy life. With a little bit of time and consistency, you will be on your way to living your best life.
I will reach out to you within 1 week after your consultation or follow up visit with a customized plan for you. This will include a recommended herbal protocol and other lifestyle changes. We will review the plan together to make sure it fit into your current lifestyle and develop a plan for where you can get your herbs. I have a few locations that will fill my herbal formulas and either ship them to you or are available for pickup. Or, herbs can be purchased individually for you to mix yourself at home.
The GI-MAP is a DNA-based stool test. This evaluates the health of the digestive system and gut microbiome. It also tests for H. Pylori, parasites, bacteria, viruses, and yeast. Â
The MRT (Mediator Release Test) is a blood test that measures your body's inflammatory response to 176 different foods, additives, and food chemicals. Take the guess work out of elimination diets and know for sure which foods are causing high, moderate, or low levels of inflammatory reactions in your digestive tract and which foods are well tolerated. This allows a tailored nutritional plan, built to reduce inflammation and support the body's innate healing abilities.
HTMA (Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis) is a lab test that analyzes a small hair sample to reveal your body's mineral levels and heavy metal accumulation over the past 2–3 months. Minerals rare foundational to nearly every function in the body, and imbalances are often the hidden driver behind chronic symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, hormonal issues, and immune dysfunction.  Restoring mineral balance can create balance in your body and improve mood, energy and metabolism.