Interview with an Herbalist

​Cathyann Ellison

I had the honor and privilege of capturing an interview with Pregnancy Empowerment Coach Cathyann Ellison. She is a POWERHOUSE when it comes to women’s health, womb wellness and nutrition.  I connected with Cathyann through our shared journey of seeking self-healing. We both were trained by Ifátóóké Olósundé Àjàlá of the Yoni Steam Institute as Yoni Steam Practitioners and trained in Womb Yoga by Sanovia Muhammad. Cathyann has a Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy and certificates in: Integrative Nutrition , Raw Food Chef Professional Herbalism, Practical Nursing, Colon Hydrotherapy, CranioSacral Therapy, Yoni (Vaginal) Steaming. Please enjoy!


Sunshyne: How long have you been a practicing herbalist?
Cathyann: Since 2016


Sunshyne: What sparked your interest in herbalism?
Cathyann: I took a training with Dr. Afrika in 2007 and heard how passionate he was about herbs but because he said they took long to work in the body I stayed away. At the time I was using essential oils and colonics among others things that gave me quick results.

However, fast forward to 2011 when my midwife recommended herbs for me to drink as infusions during my pregnancy and for is after I gave birth.

Then in 2013 when I had my first miscarriage and feeling the need to cleanse and reset my body naturally I researched herbs I could drink and I also looked into Yoni Steaming. I subsequently scheduled a session and also attended a virtual birth summit where they spoke highly of using herbs and how effective they were and I was hooked after that.

I became a Yoni Steam Practitioner with the Yoni Steam Institute in 2013 where I learned more about herbs and in 2014 I took a female herb intensive training with Aremisa of Indigenous Remedies. Wanting to learn more, I signed up for the professional training with Herb Culture University so I could improve my knowledge based and offer this service to my clients.

Sunshyne: Which culture of herbs do you work with mostly?
Cathyann: Tropical/ Caribbean


Sunshyne:  Why did you choose this field of herbology?
Cathyann: To help women like myself to care for their bodies naturally and prepare for pregnancy especially after a miscarriage.

 Sunshyne: Who are some of your mentors and teachers?
Cathyann: Dr. Akua Gray, Dr. Llaila Afrika, Sherrice Sledge-Thomas, Aremisa Hailey, Queen Afua, Joshua Rosenthal



Sunshyne: What training did you go through to gain herbalist status?
Cathyann: I took the Professional Herbalist training offered by Herb Culture University



Sunshyne: What herbs do you incorporate in your everyday routine?or Your go-to herbs?
Cathyann: Nettle, red clover, red raspberry, burdock root, dandelion root, yellow dock, sarsaparilla, ginger root, fennel seeds, cinnamon, bay leaf, soursop leaf, seamoss, vitex



Sunshyne:  What are some of your greatest accomplishments as a cultural herbalist?
Cathyann: Just knowing that they are a source of food that nourish my body I have used the herbs to reset my womb to be able to carry new life after 3 miscarriages. The blend I steamed with and drank was vitex, red clover and burdock.


Sunshyne: What is the most challenging part, in your perspective, of being an herbalist? 
Cathyann: When the clients invest, see the results them stop taking the herbs and wonder why symptoms return. I have to keep reminding them that is like how they eat certain food they like everyday. Now these nourishing to herbs are a part of their routine




Sunshyne: When you are creating herbal product,  What is your favorite method of application and why?
Love infusions because of how quick they assimilate into the bloodstream..



Sunshyne: Tell me a little bit about your business, services , product and/or courses.
Cathyann: My business is called Fertile Womb Lifestyle. I offer a signature coaching program called Pregnancy Empowerment After Miscarriage which can be done as a self paced program, 1:1 coaching or as group coaching. I also offer an herb blend called MoonTyme Komfort which contains Nettle Leaf, Cinnamon Bark and Red Raspberry Leaf.

Sunshyne: Do you have any book recommendations?
Cathyann: Down There and Wise Woman Herbal For The Childbearing Year by Susun Weed are two of my favorites


Sunshyne: What advice do you have for an aspiring herbalist?
Cathyann: Be patient and remind the client that you are a mentor and a guide who is helping them to be their own healer. They have to do the work.



We want to thank Cathyann for making space to do this interview!!! She is always a delight to work with and a vital strength in our community. For more information on Cathyann, what she does, offers and more, Find her on: 
Facebook here ,
Instagram @fertilewomblifestyle 
Visit her website here! Peace Be!!

Thank you for reading The Harambee House of Wellness Blog <3

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