We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Rose Marincil a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Rose thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

I have several defining moments that lead me on this path. The first being when I was 23, I found a small lump in my left breast. I told my chiropractor about the lump, and he referred me to a herbalist friend he had who was from Hong Kong. Although there was a language barrier, I fully committed to working with this herbalist, and met with him once a week for a year to shrink the lump. Every week, this herbalist made a custom herbal decoction that I used internally, and also a topical liniment to successfully shrink the lump without surgery. Eventually I became a martial arts student of this herbalist, and learned principles of Chinese medicine that included Qi Gong, which is a movement practice intended to cultivate internal power. By utilizing herbs, strengthening my organ systems and managing stress, I saw improvements in all areas of my life.

I should also start this interview by saying, my first career was in an entirely different field, and I actually hold an Art Degree in Studio Art, Art History and Art Education. There has always been a bit of duality with me. Having grown up first generation American, to parents who were from the former Yugoslavia; my journey into Herbalism started at a young age with the folk medicine influences of my grandmothers on both sides of my family. Herbal remedies have always been a part of my life.

Rose, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I received my foundational training in Herbalism with BotanoLogos School of Herbal Medicine over 10 years ago. From that initial training, I moved into community service work with a non-profit herbal collective called Herbalista. Herbalista’s mission was to hold monthly gatherings with the intent to serve anyone in the community who was curious about herbs.

My client base has been varied, and every person I work with is seeking a different herbal path. Some of my clients just want questions answered regarding supplements they are taking, and need assistance building a supplement protocol. Some clients want guidance in how to navigate all the different herbal options available and need help sourcing high-quality herbal products that are worth their time and money. And some of my people are dealing with chronic health issues and need guidance in how to add herbal medicine as a complement to conventional therapies. There is no stone unturned in my practice, and my range to meet with clients with different needs is vast.

Currently I hold a position as Lead Pharmacist / Nutrition Shop Manager / Herbalist with Longevity Health Center in Roswell, GA. In this position, I support 4 Naturopaths and 2 Acupuncturists by managing their nutraceutical pharmacy. I continue to see clients in my time away from my day job.

I travel often in Central America where I have had the opportunity to experience traditional practices of working with herbal medicine. Aside from clinical experience in the United States, I find that connecting with the traditional use of herbals is key in growing my awareness of safe and effective use of herbal medicine.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Honesty and transparency is key. When I first started seeing clients out of my home, I had a fear that I had to know everything all at once, and somehow I was going to fail. I have learned that being part of a community, and having a network of supports for your work is necessary. It is important to be up front with your clients if their needs are beyond your scope of practice. It is also helpful to the people you serve to be able to provide referrals to reliable, professional practitioners should they need a different type of care than you can provide. Community partnerships also keep you in a network which can provide you the opportunity to work with new clients.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

I think getting in front of as many people you can, and hearing their stories will help you succeed as it will develop your skills as a listener. Finding humility, being kind and being solution oriented are true life and business skills I have been able to strengthen by being a better listener. I enjoy being part of the piece that will find a solution to a problem through movement and action, and have a passion for research, writing and critical thinking.

But the absolute non-negotiable for me is how much I love botanical pharmacy. I could be content working in a pharmacy compounding herbal medicines for the rest of my life. When I walk through a jungle, or a loblolly pine forest in Georgia, I understand communing with nature is the source of where human curiosity to work with plants began. My passion first and foremost, is observing and understanding plants in the natural world. I think it is an absolute necessity that you get out into the world and experience it, and I encourage some connection with the natural world as a part of a happy life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.halfmoonherbal.com