Policies & Disclaimers
01 | SCOPE OF PRACTICE
The practice of herbal medicine is the promotion, maintenance and restoration of an individual’s health primarily through the internal and external use of herbal medicines (derived from plants, fungi and algae, or parts thereof), which may or may not include other natural health products. Herbal Medicines may be harvested, prepared and/or compounded by the herbalist. Therapeutic requirements for each client are assessed in a manner consistent with the tradition and training of the clinical herbalist.
Methods of assessment may include but are not limited to case history, physical/visual examinations and the review of diagnostic test results. Relevant issues including nutrition, lifestyle, environment and stress management may be addressed throughout the consultation process.
[As promulgated by the Canadian Council of Herbalist Associations, 20 Nov 2013, Ottawa]
02 | CODE OF ETHICS
The Code of Ethics covering an herbal practitioner is the underlying value that influences and directs the behaviour and conduct of herbal practitioners.
The Code of Ethics governing herbal practitioners involves such principles as, honour, integrity, conscientiousness, caring, confidentiality, respect, honesty, impeccability and excellence.
These principles and values underlie the following rules:
Clients
1. Professional herbalists will conduct their consultations with care and mindfulness of the clients’ health needs.
2. Professional herbalists must behave with courtesy, respect, dignity, discretion, tact and empathy in their association with clients.
3. Professional herbalists shall not discriminate against any client on the basis of their religious, spiritual, political and social views; and will give the best care possible regardless of race, colour, creed, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, economic or social status.
4. Professional herbalists have the right to refuse to accept an individual as a client for personal or professional reasons or limitations.
5. Professional herbalists will recognize that their clients have individual needs and will respect the client's right to make informed choices regarding their own health care.
6. Professional herbalists will acknowledge limits of their individual scope of practice and refer when appropriate.
7. Professional herbalists, with the permission of their client, shall cooperate with other health care professionals for the benefit and well-being of their client.
8. Professional herbalists will hold all personal information gathered during consultations in strict confidence unless legally required to do otherwise or directed by the client in writing.
9. Professional herbalists will ask the clients’ permission before engaging in any form of practice that requires physical contact.
10. Professional herbalists will refrain from unscrupulous and/or exploitative behaviour towards clients.
11. Professional herbalists shall dress appropriately and professionally.
Sexual Conduct
12. Professional herbalists will not use their professional position to seek sexual encounters with clients.
13. Where it appears that a client is making sexual advances, it is the duty of the professional herbalist not to encourage the client and to clarify the relationship.
Herbs
14. Professional herbalists shall strive to obtain, use and administer herbs of the highest quality, which have been properly identified and prepared.
15. Whenever possible, professional herbalists shall strive to be well informed and ensure that herbal medicines used are grown and harvested using sustainable and ethical methods.
16. Whenever possible, professional herbalists should not knowingly recommend plant medicines derived from genetically modified organisms or other questionable processing or growing techniques.
Conservation & Earth
17. Professional herbalists shall honour the Earth.
18. Professional herbalists should not use herbs or herbal products derived from any wild species known to be threatened or endangered and encourage the cultivation of these species when appropriate.
19. Whenever possible, professional herbalists should seriously consider the issue of animal research and testing in their choice of herbal products.
Other Professionals
20. Professional herbalists shall respect other herbalists and practitioners of other disciplines.
21. Professional herbalists shall not denigrate or criticize other health professionals in public or to their clients.
22. Professional herbalists shall not solicit clients from another herbalist.
23. Professional herbalists are encouraged to exchange ideas and information with other herbalists for the purpose of enhancing understanding and knowledge within the field of herbalism.
24. Professional herbalists are encouraged to pass on their knowledge, experience and ethical principles and practices to future generations of herbalists.
The Public
25. Professional herbalists, when representing their profession, will endeavour to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner.
26. Professional herbalists are encouraged to contribute to the advancement and awareness of herbal medicine.
27. Professional herbalists shall not promote their services in a manner which will negatively affect the reputation of herbal medicine.
28. Professional herbalists shall accurately represent their qualifications.
29. Upon request, professional herbalists shall provide full disclosure of their credentials.
[As promulgated by the Canadian Council of Herbalist Associations, 20 Nov 2013, Ottawa]
03 | CANCELLATION POLICY
All appointments and workshops are booked ahead of time with the use of a credit or debit card; but the fees can be paid in cash once onsite. The reason a card is required to book is to prevent or limit no-shows.
Cancellation made by the client: No refunds. Store credit possible, as follows:
Your presence at an appointment or workshop can be canceled up to 24 hours before the date and time of said appointment or workshop: the monetary value of your purchase will then be given back to you in store credit.
Cancellations made within 24 hours of the appointment or workshop date and time will be considered no-shows (no credit).
Cancellations must be made in writing: info@circe-medee.ca
Cancellation made by C+M: Full refunds.
We reserve the right to cancel a workshop up to 48 hours before the day of the workshop if we do not meet a minimum number of registrations (3/8 clients). In this case, each registered participant will be fully refunded.
For consultation and service appointments, if C+M must cancel for health or emergency reasons, you will be contacted at the earliest possibility via the contact information provided to minimize inconvenience and your deposit will be refunded or if requested, kept as deposit for a subsequent appointment.
04 | PAYMENTS
Cash payment, service exchanges (for example, a treatment at C+M paid in time donation i.e. helping with gardens, general labour, etc.), and sliding scale payments are always considered and welcomed at C+M. However, booking a service will require a credit card deposit to prevent no-shows. If a client prefers not to use electronic means of payment, or limit their credit usage, a cash deposit or similar agreement may be required ahead of time. C+M believes in transparency, clear communication, and set expectations to ensure all parties involved are mutually satisfied and foster a positive relationship.
05 | LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Land acknowledgment is a traditional custom that dates back centuries in many Native nations and communities. Today, land acknowledgments are used by Native Peoples and non-Natives to recognize Indigenous Peoples who are the original stewards of the lands on which we now live and is also an act of reconciliation.
C+M is motivated by genuine respect and support for Native Peoples. Speaking and hearing words of recognition is an important step in creating collaborative, accountable, continuous, and respectful relationships with Indigenous nations and communities.
C+M would like to acknowledge that we are in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People. This territory is covered by the “Treaties of Peace and Friendship” which Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) People first signed with the British Crown in 1725. The treaties did not deal with surrender of lands and resources but in fact recognized Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) title and established the rules for what was to be an ongoing relationship between nations.
I am grateful for, and give my respect to past, present, and future generations of Mi’kmaq People who have lived in this place and acted as stewards of these lands and waters. Healthy lands and waters are central for herbalists and anyone who works with plants. I acknowledge and offer gratitude for the benefits I enjoy from having access to this land I call home.