Why Work With Debra

Debra brings deep heart, practicality, and experience to the forefront of the work that she offers. She has been a clinical herbalist for over 30 years in which time she pioneered herbalism in the 4 Corners area. As the founding owner of Dancing Willow Herbs, her practice was that of the village herbalist. Debra has worked with 1000's of people with varying health conditions and has developed a complementary practice with local pediatricians, obstetric/gynecologists, family practitioners, specialists and more. 

Debra's knowledge of traditional western herbalism is grounded in formal training from the best in the field combined with wisdom gleaned from years of evaluating, listening, and witnessing. She is both an educator and a master at formulating herbal remedies and her one-on-one work has been the bedrock of her practice. 

When working with Debra you can expect the little idiosyncrasies of your unique health conditions to be explored via an in depth history of your current situation  as it relates to both past and present. This takes into account diet, lifestyle and emotional well-being and their role in the symphony of your wholeness and well-being.

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

I have had the privilege and pleasure of working under Debra Swanson, founder of Dancing Willow Herbs for almost 6 years. She truly is this community’s pioneer Herbalist and has over 30 years of experience and education as a Clinical Herbalist. Her training has been diverse, in terms of Western Herbalism, Ayurvedic Medicine, Homeopathy, Flower Essences, Nutrition and Astrology. This education in combination with her listening skills, compassion, intuitive sense and depth of knowledge of medicinal plants and the human body and how to support its health, makes her an incredible resource for her clients. Over the years I have witnessed the trust she has created with her clients and their health concerns and have seen so many improvements in their health and well being. She is an extremely gifted Healer and I would whole heartedly recommend/refer her services to any person needing support with their health and wellness. 

Jenny Marx-Clinical Herbalist

I have known Debra since the late 1980's, when what would become her landmark herb shop, Dancing Willow, was not yet even a seed in the soil. How wonderful to be witness to the growth of such a beautiful and revered resource in our community. Throughout the decades, Deb's custom tinctures, salves, and deep understanding of the human body and it's connection to the earth's elixirs, have helped time and time again to problem solve and heal myself, my family, and multitudes of friends. After two trips to the Mayo clinic my father still had no answer as to why his brain was swollen and he was suffering from debilitating headaches. They referred him to an infectious disease specialist who also hit a dead end. After a one hour consultation with Deb, going over his medical history and asking lots of questions regarding nutrition and lifestyle, she suspected he had a vitamin deficiency as a result of a past abdominal surgery where part of his colon had been removed. She created a tincture for him to help his body absorb the nutrients and provided supplements, and within a week he was well on his way to healing. This is just one example of many. I have trusted Deb with every chapter of my adult life, and that of my children, from hormones to ear infections, asthma to menopause, and I feel comfort in knowing that she will continue to be there as a herbal, whole body, whole person, consultant. 

So grateful.

Jodi Harper-Nute

Over 25 years ago I went to Deb when my first child was born. I felt stressed and tired all of the time. She made a custom formula that gave me relief and made me feel sane again. Deb has an incredibly extensive knowledge of herbs and how to use them. Through the years she has made custom formulas when I felt run down. She most recently made 2 different custom formulas for menopausal symptoms that has once brought me tremendous relief. I was a complete mess, my MD recommended antidepressants when I hadn't even said I was feeling depressed. I was at wit's end and once again Deb came through with the perfect custom herbal formula and recommended more absorbable vitamins than what I had been taking. My MD and another natural doctor were both amazed at how well I was doing simply from Deb's formulas and vitamin recommendations. If you want to feel better, go to Deb!!! She has helped me every time! - Susan McClachlan

I have consulted with Debra for over twenty years for health guidance and expertise, and I recommend her services wholeheartedly. She is a wealth of knowledge and is able to interact with her clients on an individual, personable, level. Debra has the listening, observational, and compassionate qualities that make a healer excellent. She is highly trained, and is always adding to her professional scope through continuing education, reading, and collaboration. She has been incredibly helpful over the years to myself and my family by creating personalized herbal formulas and guidance to support our health and well being. She has educated us about herbal and alternative medicine, and has taken the time to answer questions and follow up on our long term health goals. Additionally, she is a wonderful person who cares deeply about her profession and her clients. She is an invaluable resource to our community and world! -Ashley Hill

 "I met Deb in 2004 while we were both taking a homeopathy class. I was pregnant with my first child and never could have imagined how this sweet woman I had just met would so greatly support me through the years in caring for myself and my family. Her herbal remedies have always been my first line of defense whenever extra support has been needed to maintain my or my children’s health. I am never without her complete line of herbal tinctures for children, and we all take her elderberry syrup as needed. I enjoy her herbal tea mixtures (especially Berry Good For You Tea) and have even had her mix up special herbal teas to support me through specific health challenges. Deb is an absolute treasure, and I am so grateful to be able to consult with such a wise herbal woman."

-Rebecca Crouch (Durango, CO)

I went to Deb after learning from my doctor that my  cholesterol was extremely high. They recommended statins immediately and said that I would likely be on them forever. This felt counter-intuitive. Shouldn't I address the cause? I was also feeling overwhelmed with menopause and it felt like a great time to seek wise counsel towards changes that would support my medical issues and my frustrations with my changing body. I honestly thought that I had a very good grip on my health and wellness, but as I sat with Deb and talked during our initial consult I was truly blown away. She asked so many good questions and began connecting the dots. Her insight was revelatory! She shared the connections between my issues and how to support my entire system. She offered diet recommendations, a few lifestyle changes that I have enjoyed implementing, an herbal tincture, and some supplements and guess what...40 days later my cholesterol is 80 points lower and I'm feeling sooo much better...with more energy, vitality, better sleep, fewer muscle aches, and much improved libido.  If you want to truly tune-in to what your body needs or want to compliment your doctors advice with a plan to heal then call Deb pronto! - I.P.