Herbalist Gina Kearney of Herbs & Owl discusses her practice and shares her plant-powered picks for everyday imbalances
It often starts the same way: someone walks into Herbs & Owls with a name of an herb they found online: ashwagandha, turmeric, something they read might help. And more often than not, Gina Kearney gently redirects the conversation. “The biggest misconception,” she says, “is this idea of ‘take this for that.’”
As the resident herbalist behind the Jupiter shop’s education and clinical practice, Kearney isn’t in the business of quick fixes. Her work begins deeper—less about chasing symptoms, more about understanding the person experiencing them.
That philosophy comes from experience. In her mid-20s, Kearney found herself in the grip of severe anxiety and panic attacks, a struggle that sent her on a years-long search for relief. She tried the conventional routes—doctors, medication, therapy, even enrolling in a PhD study on panic and anxiety—but nothing quite clicked. What did help, unexpectedly, was something simpler. “I knew that when I went outside—when I was in nature—I felt better,” she says.
It was a realization that set Kearney on a new path, pursuing a three-year clinical herbalism program at the ArborVitae School of Traditional Herbalism, where she studied Western herbalism alongside principles from Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda. Today, more than a decade into her practice, she brings that training—and her own lived experience—into every consultation.
So what exactly is herbalism, especially for someone new to it?
At its most basic, Kearney says, it’s about building a relationship with plants that support the body’s natural balance. In much of the world, herbs are already a foundational part of everyday health—brewed into teas, folded into meals, used consistently rather than reactively. But here in the United States, the approach tends to be different.“We think of herbs as something we reach for when nothing else is working,” she says. “But really, they can be part of daily life.”
Often, incorporating herbs is as simple as adding water, Kearney explains. Leaves and flowers become teas; roots and barks are simmered into decoctions. The difference isn’t just in preparation—it’s in perspective. Instead of isolating one herb for one issue, Kearney looks at the bigger picture. “Every herb has a personality,” she explains. “And the work is in matching the personality of the herb to the person.”
That nuance becomes especially clear in her one-on-one consultations, which run about 90 minutes and unfold more like a conversation than a checklist. Clients talk through physical symptoms, emotional patterns, lifestyle, even stress responses—all of which inform her recommendations. “It’s really about telling the story,” she says.
From there, Kearney creates a tailored plan that might include herbal blends, tinctures, and simple daily rituals—along with clear explanations of why each plant is being used. A follow-up session a few weeks later helps refine the approach. The goal isn’t just relief; it’s awareness. “When people understand why they’re taking something, it changes the experience,” she says. “We are our own best healers.”
In practice, Kearney says that might look like someone managing anxiety not just with a single supplement, but with a combination of herbs that address how their body uniquely responds to stress—whether that shows up as racing thoughts, digestive discomfort, or physical tension.
That whole-person lens is what draws many clients in to Herbs & Owls, Kearney says. Some arrive after feeling let down by traditional health care. Others come simply because they want a more natural, preventative approach. And then there are those who stumble into it—often skeptically—and find themselves surprised by the results. “I see people really begin to soften,” Kearney says. “It’s like watching a flower bloom.”
For those not ready to dive into a full consultation, Herbs & Owls’ offerings include monthly classes led by Kearney. It also stocks hundreds of organic herbs—roots, leaves, seeds, and spices—alongside pre-blended teas and tinctures designed for common concerns like stress, sleep, digestion, and immunity.
It’s a system that invites experimentation.“You can think of it like cooking,” Kearney says. “You’re working with herbs the same way you would spices—mixing and matching based on what your body needs.” That shift—from prescription to participation—is where she sees the biggest transformation happen. What starts as curiosity often becomes routine, then ritual. A cup of tea in the evening. A blend added to morning coffee. A moment of pause built into an otherwise hectic day.
In a culture wired for quick fixes, that kind of simplicity can feel like its own form of medicine. Or, as Kearney says “Why not bring these things into your life now, instead of waiting?”
Gina Kearney shares her plant-powered picks for everyday imbalances.
Ginkgo Biloba
“Supports circulation, memory, focus, clarity, and longevity.”
Rosemary
“Just smelling rosemary is great—you can actually feel it in the frontal lobe of the brain.”
Gotu Kola
“Great for cognitive function, concentration, and vitality.”
Adaptogen Mushrooms like Reishi, Chaga, or Lion’s Mane
“These help moderate and adapt to stress.”
Holy Basil (Tulsi)
“Supports emotional resilience and helps lift the mood.
Lemon Balm
“You take a breath, your shoulders drop, and you relax.”
Passionflower
“When the mind is overthinking, this eases activity that won’t settle.”
Skullcap
“For nervous tension like tics, tremors, and that feeling where you just can’t be still.”
Lavender
“Calms the mind and body, and brings emotional balance.”
Echinacea
“It’s well known that this herb helps the body respond at the first sign that you’re starting to feel unwell or just generally off.”
Astragalus
“For people who get sick easily, this herb can really help build long-term immune resilience.”
Elderflower
“People know about elderberry for helping ward off sickness. But elderflower helps move a cold or flu out once it has already settled in by opening the skin and supporting release.”
California Poppy
“Relaxes the nervous system to speed up the onset of sleep and improve the duration of sleep.”
Valerian Root
“Settles the body so you can move into a deeply restorative sleep.”
Nutmeg
“Taken warm before bed in cow’s milk or coconut milk, it can help you stay asleep longer.”
Nettle
“This mineral-rich herb restores the body’s reserves so energy comes back naturally.”
Ginseng
“Offers a more immediate boost, and enhances endurance and vitality.”
Maca
“Supports long-term vitality, energy, and endurance.”
Fennel
“Wonderful for gas, bloating, indigestion, and general easing of the stomach.”
Chamomile
“Great for the gut, especially with stomach-based nervousness.”
Marshmallow Root
“Cooling and soothing; it coats digestive tracts with irritation or reflux.”
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