Maia Toll, M.A.
Herbalist, Aromatherapist, and Holistic Health Counselor
"A culture that has lost its folk medicine, or its ability to heal and cure everyday problems with everyday materials, has lost a part of its soul."
- Matthew Wood
When I read this quote, I felt a deep rightness in my core. As herbalists, we hold this everyday wisdom. We are not doctors, nor do herbalists have any nationally recognized certification. We are everyday folks who hold a particular kind of knowledge: the knowledge of the garden and the spice cupboard, the wisdom of the woods and the waters. We are always learning because the natural world has so much to teach us. We seek flow, and connectiveness. When we meet with a client, we are looking for this flow in their body. We are looking to connect up things that have become disparate.
Below, I'll walk you through the path of teachers and studies that led me to this belief. Remember, as you read, that I am an herbalist. An herbalist's path is not as clear and defined as that of a doctor or a lawyer. We put together our own course of study. Our life experiences define us, not our resume. Its an unusual model in this culture. Sometimes it takes a stepping out of the familiar to bring about change.
About Maia:
I began my formal herbal and aromatherapy training in Mullingar, Ireland under the tutelage of herbalist Gina McGarry. I spent a year learning from Gina as well as from the plants themselves. As an apprentice, I learned the process of herbal medicine-making, from growing and gathering, to tincturing, to client care. My Irish clients included humans of all ages as well as the cows and chickens on a neighboring organic farm. Since Gina also made all sorts of aromatherapy creations, I learned how to make beautiful herbal products for both body and home. In Ireland, we joyfully used all of the plants' many medicines, from flower essences to teas, from tinctures to essential oils. I continue this broad use of the plant and flower kingdom in my practice today.
On returning to the States, I began attending advanced herbal training at Sage Mountain in Vermont. At this wonderful school, founded by herbalist Rosemary Gladstar, I studied with a number of this country's top names in herbal medicine. The following year, I rounded out my knowledge of the nutrition with a year at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York City. In 2006 I was certified as a holistic health counselor through The Institute for Integrative Nutrition and The American Association of Drugless Practitioners.
While studying at Sage Mountain, I had met herbalist David Winston. After a bit of hemming and hawing and a few persuasive dreams, I embarked on three years of studies with David, focusing on the clinical aspects of herbalism as well as broadening my knowledge of herbal use in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Auyervedic practices. Throughout my herbal studies I have continued to be fascinated by the essential oils. I have studied with Jeannie Rose and with Wisdom of the Earth and continue to follow my nose to my next experience with these powerful essences.
Back in the days when I was beginning to dabble in herbs, I was working full-time as a teacher. I taught second grade, fourth grade, and college classes. While living in New York City, I developed a poetry program in conjuntion with the 92nd Street Y which was taught to kindergarten through sixth graders in Harlem. I still love teaching and offer classes on an ongoing basis. I have taught herbal workshops at The University of Pennsylvania, Pennypack Farms, and The Springside School as well as through The Apothecary Garden.
About consultations:
Holistic health care is a partnership between the practitioner and the client. Together we will explore the issues that you are having with your health. The initial session lasts 90-120 minutes. We will discuss past medical history as well as emotional issues, diet, and lifestyle concerns. As an herbalist, I do not diagnose nor prescribe. I make recommendations for diet, lifestyle and work with herbal teas and tinctures, essential oils, flower essences and supplements.
My clients include those with both chronic as well as acute ailments. Each client is different and unique and therefore needs very different things from me. While some people use me as a life-coach, checking in frequently, others prefer to work on their own and meet only when they have specific needs. Some people prefer a strict program while others work best with more flexibility. We will discuss your needs in our first session and find the best way for us to work together.
Consultation Fees
Please note: I have begun a joint practice with flower essence practitioner and homeopath Lunaria Lewis. We will be getting up a website soon! You can make an appointment to see both of us, together, for the same consultation fee as seeing either one of us individually. When you phone for an appointment, let us know that you would like to see us both and schedule your appointment on a Monday or Thursday.
- Initial Session includes follow-up appointment 2 weeks later $155.00
- Follow-up appointments:
$45.00 for 30 minutes
$70 for 60 minutes
Phone calls and emails will be billed at $2 a minute.
- Arrangements can be made to consult by phone. Fees are as above.