Tabitha Fulgham, owner of Hickory Heal Farms and Hickory Health Clinic, spoke to the Starkville Town and Country Garden Club on Jan. 8 about integrating traditional herbal practices into modern wellness. The meeting was held at the Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum.
Fulgham, a clinical herbalist and regenerative farmer, discussed how plant-based remedies and nutrition can be combined to support overall health. She highlighted her background, which includes more than 20 years of experience in herbalism and more than 3,800 hours of formal training, including certifications in clinical herbalism, advanced formulation and botanical therapeutics.
“People don’t always realize that many plant-based therapies have demonstrated clinical efficacy in peer-reviewed studies,” Fulgham said.
During the presentation, Fulgham shared her personal experience with integrative medicine. She described seeking treatment from a Chinese-trained doctor in the U.S. after being advised to undergo a hysterectomy in her 20s. Fulgham said a regimen of herbal teas and preparations helped her avoid surgery.
Fulgham emphasized the importance of individualized care in herbal medicine. She cautioned against relying solely on social media sources, noting that clinical herbalists evaluate factors such as constitution, stress levels, diet and lifestyle before recommending protocols.
The presentation included a discussion of herbs that can support various health concerns:
■ Anxiety and depression: St. John’s Wort, kava, ashwagandha
■ Inflammation and pain: turmeric (curcumin), boswellia, willow bark
■ Cardiovascular health: hawthorn, garlic, hibiscus
■ Immunity and infection: echinacea, elderberry, andrographis
Fulgham also outlined her ongoing studies, including nutritional therapy and regenerative agriculture, and her involvement with Mississippi Women for Agriculture and Make Mississippi Healthy Again.
The Starkville Town and Country Garden Club aims to improve members’ knowledge through monthly educational programs, regional workshops and shared resources. At the meeting, club President Lynne Strickland conducted the business session, and attendees enjoyed appetizers prepared by hostesses Connie Templeton, Bryn Taylor, Donna Darty, Lura Jordan and Emily Waters.
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