Personal Story

I love to be literate! I work hard to carve out time to read and strive to understand the things I read. I especially focus on reading books and articles about health, even though I love good fiction.

What is Health Literacy?

Healthy People 2030, https://health.gov/healthypeople, gives the following definition of personal health literacy: “Personal health literacy is the degree to which individuals have the ability to find, understand, and use information and services to inform health-related decisions and actions for themselves and others.”

I am not saying that I want to get on the bandwagon and start promoting the Healthy People 2030 goals. I do think it is important to help people to find, understand, and use information and services to help them make health-related decisions and actions for themselves and those in their family. That is a big part of why I am an herbalist and family health educator.

My Goals for Health Literacy as an Herbalist

1. Help Individuals Find Information and Services

I research many health topics and natural health supports and then I create wellness plans for women, children, and men based on what I learn. Here are some examples of things I have researched or hope to do further research on:

Women

• Dietary Analysis
• Dietary components for a healthy women
• Whole Food, Nutrient-dense Eating Plan
• Gluten and Dairy – Free Eating
• Assembling a Home Health Tool Closet
• Assessing Women’s Health
• Understanding how to use herbs safely
• Therapeutic doses
• Herbal therapy considerations during pregnancy
• Herbal therapy considerations during breastfeeding
• Healthy pregnancy
• Healthy birth
• Breastfeeding
• Nutritional supplement basics
• Herbal immune support
• Pre – Puberty Health Care- prenatal and child care
• Onset of Meses
• Cycle Regulation
• Infertility
• Miscarriage and Stillbirth
• Acne
• Anemia
• Anxiety and Panic
• Depression
• Fibromyalgia
• Hyperthyroidism
• Hypothyroidism
• Insomnia
• Menstrual Dysfunctions
• Migraines
• Premenstrual Syndrome
• Fibroid Tumors
• Ovarian Cysts
• Poly Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
• Cervical Dysplasia
• Endometriosis
• Benign Brease Disease
• Abnormal Mammograms
• Urinary Tract Infections
• Vaginal Infections
• Chlamydia and Herpes
• Menopause: Hormonal Health
• Cardiovascular Disease
• Osteoporosis
• Weight Loss

Pregnancy

• Body System Changes
• Health Conditions Support
• Labor
• Mom/Baby Care in the Immediate Postpartum Period
• Breastfeeding
• Family Planning
• Weight Loss

Children & Teens

• Dietary Analysis
• Dietary components for a healthy child
• Whole Food, Nutrient-dense Eating Plan
• Gluten and Dairy – Free Eating
• Assembling a Home Health Tool Closet
• Assessing Child’s Health
• Understanding how to use herbs safely
• Therapeutic doses for children
• Herbal therapy considerations during pregnancy
• Herbal therapy considerations during breastfeeding
• Healthy pregnancy
• Healthy birth
• Breastfeeding
• Individualized food introduction
• Nutritional supplement basics
• Herbal immune support
• Acne
• ADHD
• Allergic reactions
• Anemia
• Bed wetting
• Bites, burns, stings
• Bronchitis
• Bruises
• Cradle Cap
• Colds
• Constipation
• Coughs
• Croup
• Diaper rash
• Diarrhea
• Ear infections
• Eczema
• Detoxification, Gentle
• Fever management
• Flu (Influenza)
• Gas (“Flatulence”)
• Gastroenteritis (The “Stomach Bug”)
• Gastrointestinal difficulties
• Headache
• Heartburn (Gastrointestinal Reflux)
• Hemorrhoids / Varicose Veins
• Hypoglycemia (“Low Blood Sugar”)
• Indigestion
• Leaky Gut
• Kidney stones
• Mouth sores / inflamed gums
• Muscle cramps
• Nausea and vomiting
• Nosebleeds
• Pharyngitis or tonsillitis
• Respiratory illness
• Sinus infections
• Sinusitis
• Sleep Issues
• Sore throat, viral
• Strep throat
• Tourette’s Syndrome
• Urinary support
• Urinary tract infection
• Vertigo

Men

• Dietary Analysis
• Dietary components for a healthy man
• Whole Food, Nutrient-dense Eating Plan
• Gluten and Dairy – Free Eating
• Assembling a Home Health Tool Closet
• Assessing Men’s Health
• Understanding how to use herbs safely
• Therapeutic doses
• Nutritional supplement basics
• Herbal immune support
• Acne
• ADHD
• Allergic reactions
• Anemia
• Bites, burns, stings
• Bronchitis
• Bruises
• Colds
• Constipation
• Coughs
• Croup
• Detoxification, Gentle
• Diarrhea
• Ear infections
• Eczema
• Fertility
• Fever management
• Flu (Influenza)
• Gas (“Flatulence”)
• Gastroenteritis (The “Stomach Bug”)
• Gastrointestinal difficulties
• Headache
• Heart health
• Heartburn (Gastrointestinal Reflux)
• Hemorrhoids /Varicose Veins
• Hypoglycemia (“Low Blood Sugar”)
• Indigestion
• Kidney stones
• Low Testosterone
• Mouth sores / inflamed gums
• Muscle cramps
• Nausea and vomiting
• Nosebleeds
• Pharyngitis or tonsillitis
• Prostate Health
• Reproductive System Health
• Respiratory illness
• Sinus infections
• Sinusitis
• Sleep Issues
• Sore throat, viral
• Strep throat
• Stress and the Immune System
• Urinary support
• Vertigo

2. Help Individuals Understand Information

I have written more than 200 free blogs to share information I have researched on healthful endeavors/personal productivity, nutrition, herbs, family health, women’s health, and pregnancy health. These blogs are written to help people understand things they can do to have a better sense of well-being.

3. Help Individuals Use Information

I also coach people in implementing the things that they would like to do to support their bodies so they can live a more fulfilling life.

4. Help Individuals Find Services

I have a referral list of local practitioners who work in the health space.

Action

While I love reading about health topics and what supplements can help promote health in the body, I know not everyone does. That is why I create wellness plans that provide some pertinent education about the topic, dietary recommendations, supplement recommendations, and physical interventions to help people have a place to start on their wellness journey. Please let me know if I can help you on your journey.

May God bless you on your wellness journey!

Joni

P.S. How do you gain health literacy?