Member Interview: Jessica Churchill of Railyard Apothecary

Jessica Churchill (she/they) is a Clinical Herbalist and has been studying and working with herbs and plants for over 30 years. They believe co-creating with the plants that we have co-evolved with builds a better world for all beings.

She has not only studied herbal safety for fertility, pregnancy and postpartum, but safely used herbs in her own pregnancies. Jessica has experience in herbal recommendations for pregnancy as well as home birth, hospital birth and caesareans preparation, enthusiastically working with all birthing folk to their level of comfort to safely incorporate herbs into wellness care for birthing people and women.

Jessica serves folks virtually and in person at Railyard Apothecary in Burlington, VT.

Jessica is a clinical herbalist at Railyard Apothecary in Burlington, VT.

What services do you offer to folks during conception, pregnancy, birth, or postpartum? 

I am a clinical herbalist who works with folks to safely incorporate herbs in appropriate dosages to encourage conception, address common pregnancy complaints and replenish the body postpartum. Herbal consultations are a one on one educational opportunity where we think about how to best care for and support the perinatal person and answer questions about herbs that are safe and effective for this important and unique season of life.

How did you get into your line of work? 

I planted my first herb from seed when I was 17 and my love affair with the plant world began.

I have given birth to seven children (who are all adults now) and used herbs during all my pregnancies. Then I had many years of self study and opportunities in my home and family where we worked with plant medicine to varying degrees over the years.

This work inspired me to pursue herbal apprenticeships and internships for many years and I started working at Railyard Apothecary in 2018 where I can engage in work that I love and share the wisdom of the plants with others.

What do people think you do to support folks? 

I think many people view herbalism through a western medical lens. We do not diagnose or prescribe for clients. We share our knowledge and make recommendations for food, herbs, and lifestyle choices that can help the body back to a state of balance and health. The body knows how to heal and herbs can support this process.

What do you actually do to support folks?  

I listen. This is absent in most western heroic medicine and for an initial consultation we sit for an hour and a half with plenty of time for clients to tell there journey and feelings that are coming up for them around their relationship with their body and their health. I ask what your goals are and then we discuss herbal possibilities to help you achieve your goals.

Jessica works with each individual to support their goals and degree of comfort using herbs.

What is something that you feel like you are uniquely able to help people with? 

I have a depth of empathy from my own personal experience of pregnancy and birth to draw from. I have had two caesaren births, one hospital induction, and three home births, so I can speak to those experiences from my lived journey. I also offer a grounded confidence to clients during a new and sometimes anxiety creating experience.

What is the one piece of advice you find yourself telling people over and over again? 

You are doing great! We often forget that we are here on earth to be human and humans are not "perfect" (whatever that means). We are all learning and can chose to grow and change. There is no one way to parent as every parent and child is different.

There are many ways that herbs can support your health and wellbeing.

What are the top 3 questions people ask when they first start to work with you for support?  

What herbs are safe to take when I'm pregnant?

Are there any herbs or supplements I should take to help me get pregnant?

What herbs are safe to give my children?

Final thoughts:

We offer an Herbal support package at Railyard Apothecary that is one 1.5 hour initial consultation and two 45 minute follow up sessions. This package is perfect for a pregnant person as we could check in each trimester or as I recommend avoiding taking herbs in the first trimester (except in a few unique cases). You can use the three sessions for 2nd and 3rd trimester and then one postpartum follow up as well. Feel free to email me with any questions you may have jessica@raillyardapothecary.com