Lorraine Hughes, an AHG-registered herbalist, held her first wellness consultation at her kitchen table in 2005. Over the next 15 years, her herbal medicine and nutrition practice, Empowered By Nature, evolved into a comprehensive holistic practice using the Chinese medical approach to vital health, which encompasses lifestyle and dietary directives, reflexology, Reiki, acupoint aromatherapy, cupping, moxibustion and private qi gong sessions.

Now Empowered By Nature has evolved again, with virtual services and safety protocols for in-person sessions. Hughes says it’s critical to keep her services accessible to people who need stress reduction and immune support.

 “I provide a safe haven where people can begin their life-force healing journey through herbal wellness guidance and relaxation techniques,” she says. “I do this work to help people help themselves attain a more vital state of being.”

She approaches each wellness consultation as “a conversation,” she says. “The client tells me their story and their health concerns and what they’re willing to do to shift from their current state of health. They’ve already completed a comprehensive intake form and provided a food diary, lab test results and a list of medications, supplements and herbs. Along with listening, I perform a tongue and pulse diagnosis, which allows me to assess patterns of imbalance. In addition to a proposed herbal-supplemental protocol dietary, we discuss lifestyle and exercise recommendations. When appropriate, I show the client a qi gong exercise that will be beneficial.”

Clients can add any service to their session. Hughes says reflexology is a particularly useful complementary therapy. She was board certified in reflexology in 2011.

 “When I practice reflexology on my herbal clients, the experience is uniquely targeted, since I have a deeper understanding of the clients state of health and energy pathways,” she says.

Her new Covid protocol includes the use of masks and hand-washing, a pre-appointment questionnaire, more time between appointments for cleaning, and only one client in the office at a time. She also offers virtual consultations and follow-ups, including private qi gong sessions via Zoom.

For more info, contact Lorraine Hughes at 845.416.4598 or [email protected], or visit Empowered By Nature.