About Naturespurehealing

Why I Started This Site

I was standing in a natural health store in Portland fourteen years ago, watching a client hold two bottles of valerian root and look at me with pure confusion. One was $8. The other was $45. Both claimed to be "pure" and "maximum strength." She asked the question I've heard thousands of times since: "Which one actually works?"

That's why Naturespurehealing exists. The herbal remedy world has exploded into a chaotic marketplace where ancient plant wisdom collides with Instagram aesthetics and aggressive marketing. I've watched essential oil companies claim therapeutic benefits from oils that are mostly synthetic fragrance. I've seen adaptogen supplements with dosages so low they'd barely register in a mouse, let alone a stressed human. People are overwhelmed, anxious, and wasting money on products that either don't work or aren't safe. This site is my attempt to fix that—cutting through the noise with reviews grounded in clinical reality, not affiliate commission potential.

About Claire Ashford

I'm a certified clinical herbalist and natural wellness educator, and I've been practicing since 2010—that's fourteen years of sitting across from real people with real health concerns. My certification involved intensive study of materia medica, formulation science, and contraindications, but the expertise came from the thousands of hours I've spent working with clients struggling with chronic insomnia, immune dysregulation, anxiety, and the physical toll of modern stress.

I've watched the adaptogen boom happen in real-time. When ashwagandha went from an obscure Ayurvedic herb to a TikTok sensation, I saw quality control plummet as manufacturers rushed to meet demand. I've analyzed certificates of analysis that showed heavy metal contamination in "pure" supplements. I've tested essential oils that claimed to be therapeutic-grade but smelled like chemicals. This isn't theoretical knowledge—it's hard-won discernment from working in the trenches where marketing hype meets biological reality.

You should trust my judgment because I'm not impressed by trendy packaging or influencer endorsements. I'm impressed by sustainable sourcing, therapeutic dosing, third-party testing, and formulations that respect the complexity of plant medicine. I still maintain a small clinical practice because staying connected to actual human health outcomes keeps my reviews honest.

What We Cover

This site focuses on the intersection of traditional herbalism and modern supplementation. Specifically, I review and educate on:

This is for you if you're tired of "miracle cure" promises, if you've ever stood paralyzed in a supplement aisle reading conflicting labels, or if you want evidence-informed guidance on whether that $60 mushroom tincture is actually worth your money. Whether you're a beginner trying to build a basic home apothecary or someone looking to optimize an existing wellness routine, I write for people who want straight answers without the pseudo-spiritual fluff.

How We Test & Review

I don't do unboxing videos and first impressions. When I review a product, I use it myself for a minimum of 30 days—60 days for adaptogens, which need time to demonstrate effects. My evaluation criteria are strict and consistent:

Let's talk about the elephant in the room: affiliate links. Naturespurehealing earns commissions when you purchase through my recommendations. However, that relationship does not influence my scores. I reject more products than I approve. If a supplement fails heavy metal testing, if an essential oil is adulterated, or if a sleep aid uses proprietary blends to hide ineffective doses, I say so—even if it costs me the commission. My reputation as a clinical herbalist is worth more than a click-through rate. If I wouldn't give it to my own sister during a health crisis, I won't recommend it here.

Get In Touch

I read every email, though my clinical schedule means I can't offer personalized medical advice through this site. If you have questions about a specific review, suggestions for products to test, or want to share your own experience with a botanical remedy, reach out at info@naturespurehealing.com.

Questions? Reach us at info@naturespurehealing.com