By Yuliya Koval
For generations, our ancestors have preserved seeds, leaves, flowers, and roots using natural methods for self-healing. To honor their legacy, connect with my elders, and pass on this knowledge, I made it my mission to practice herbalism and educate anyone willing to learn about the amazing world of plant medicine. I learn something new every day when I am in nature. I take time to listen, pay attention, and trust the universe.
Since a very young age, I have been sensitive to scents and smells. I enjoyed the natural flower fragrances in the summertime when I was roaming around the forests and valleys of Ukraine with my grandmothers and aunts, from whom I learned how to mix various herbs when making tea.
With time, as a teenager, I pursued studying yoga and the Tibetan art of meditation and mindfulness, which would come in very handy later in life as I studied foreign languages and eventually arrived in the United States, where my family immigrated.
Essential oils came into my life naturally during, and especially post-partum, after the birth of my first child. I felt drawn to working with the essential oils to help my mood and emotions. I decided to further my knowledge in applying essential oils in daily life, and I have been on this journey for 20 years. A holistic approach to health, and finding natural methods of disease prevention, is my goal. I enjoy researching how plants can help humanity. I am fascinated by how many benefits exist in the power of the bark, roots, leaves, flowers, and buds. Every day I learn something new about this abundant world.
Along with these studies that directly influence my olfactory system, I have learned that the oils also use application mechanisms to work on the cellular level: through the skin and gastrointestinal system for example. Not only do oils influence the emotional state, but they also vibrate on an energetic level.
In 2018, I began my studies of Reiki at the Beaumont Hospital in the Department of Integrative Medicine. I have learned how Reiki is applied in the clinical cases of patients as well as for the caretakers. I have been working with people who have recently come out of surgical procedures as well as the therapists who work with patients daily. The more I see this incredible source of Universal Light in action, how it soothes one’s nervous system with its healing effect, and how it brings calm to a patient, I am humbled and amazed. I have been practicing applying essential oils for children and teenagers to soothe their busy and anxious nature. I truly believe that in these days of informational overload we are in strong need of such an incredible source of calm. This motivates me to continue practicing Reiki with a focus on the energetic meridians of the human body via olfactory nerve stimulation through the senses, reflexology pressure points to activate one’s energetic meridians, and Reiki to achieve full homeostasis, recalibration, and freshness.
As a fourth-generation herbalist, I have a deep understanding of natural remedies. The wisdom passed down from my elders has been a part of me since my childhood in Ukraine. Spending time harvesting herbs in my backyard is a mindful and meditative activity for me. I enjoy picking fresh violets, crushing the leaves, and using them for poultices, soups, and teas. I believe that plants serve a purpose, so I make it a point to communicate with them and listen to what they have to say.
I strongly believe in the connection between emotional and physical health. I’ve dedicated time to researching and studying plants by delving into various materials to understand their healing properties. This has inspired me to follow in the footsteps of my herbalist teachers and create herbal remedies. I meticulously forage plants in White Lake, Michigan, and also source exotic plants such as Umckaloabo root from trusted suppliers around the world to ensure the highest quality for my offerings.
I am very thankful and excited that I can sustainably process these plants and preserve their properties for when they are needed. My methods of preservation and processing include drying the herbs and creating cold infusions, decoctions, tinctures, glycerites, syrups, herbal honey, skin creams, poultices, and bath mixtures. Consistent use of the essential oils helps to improve quality of life for people with long-term health problems like dementia, ease certain types of pain, serve as a strong antibacterial and analgesic, ease some of the side effects of cancer treatment, like nausea and pain to name a few.
I have been studying various modalities of holistic care throughout the years and have proven results of the care that works. Between Aromatherapy, Energy Work, Massage, Acupressure, and Herbal Medicine, I have seen many great benefits of deep relaxation and mindfulness. I work with each patient to help them reach a state of self-care and self-kindness as I consider those to be the major drivers for the wholesome-happy being.
Yuliya Koval is a Corewell Health Certified Integrative Medicine Practitioner and Reiki Master living in White Lake. She sells her naturally made products online at yuliyasnaturals.com. You can also schedule a healing session and browse her workshops online or email her at healingwithyuliya@gmail.com.
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