Allison Ribaux - Herbalist - Anthropologist - Founder

I'm Allison, a Herbalist and Anthropologist, and the founder of

SwitchBack Holistics.

My journey into herbal remedies began as a personal quest for healing. I suffer from Fibromyalgia, and after enduring over 10 years of chronic pain resulting from a car accident, I sought alternatives to conventional treatments. This exploration led me to the profound healing potential of plants and the wisdom they offer.

Determined to deepen my understanding, I pursued and completed the Community Herbalist Certificate and am currently enrolled in the Holistic Nutrition Program at Pacific Rim College. These are comprehensive programs that delve into the benefits of nutrition and the medicinal uses of plants across various cultures.

This education equipped me with the knowledge to identify, cultivate, and apply holistic and herbal remedies effectively. Now, having been free from Western pharmaceutical medications for over two years, I am passionate about sharing the transformative power of holistic nutrition and herbal medicine with you!

From herbal teas and tinctures to wellness rituals and educational resources, we are here to nurture your healing, holistically. Let nature lead the way.

Specializing in Holistic Solutions to Immune Problems and Chronic Pain

Here, healing begins at the root. I specialize in holistic, plant-based approaches that support the body’s natural ability to restore balance, reduce chronic pain, and strengthen immune function. Whether you’re navigating autoimmune conditions, long-term inflammation, or recurring illness, I offer personalized herbal protocols and natural healing methods designed to address the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. Together, we’ll tap into the wisdom of nature to support lasting wellness from the inside out.

Holistic Health: Finding the Root of Illness

Holistic health is an approach to wellness that considers the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—rather than just symptoms. Instead of only treating surface-level issues, holistic practitioners seek to identify and address the root cause of illness or discomfort.

This approach encourages individuals to become active participants in their health, focusing on prevention, balance, and supporting the body’s natural healing abilities.

Root Cause Medicine: Looking Deeper

Modern medicine often treats symptoms with medication or procedures, which can be helpful in the short term. However, when symptoms return or worsen, it may be a sign that the underlying issue hasn't been resolved.

Holistic health asks important questions:

What triggered this illness or imbalance?

What factors in lifestyle, nutrition, environment, or emotions might be contributing?

How can we support the body in healing itself?

By looking at patterns, habits, emotional well-being, and physical health, a clearer picture often emerges.

The Immune System: Your First Line of Defence

The immune system plays a central role in keeping the body healthy. It's a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that protects against pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and toxins.

When the immune system is weakened—by stress, poor diet, lack of sleep, environmental toxins, or chronic inflammation—it becomes harder for the body to heal or resist illness.

Holistic immune support includes:

Nutrient-dense foods (rich in vitamins C, D, zinc, antioxidants)
Herbal allies like echinacea, elderberry, reishi, and astragalus
Reducing stress and getting quality sleep
Movement and breathwork to encourage lymph flow
Gut health support, since over 70% of the immune system resides in the gut

Chronic Pain: Listening to the Body

Chronic pain is the body’s way of asking for attention. Whether it’s arthritis, migraines, back pain, or fibromyalgia, long-term pain is often rooted in inflammation, nervous system dysregulation, or structural imbalances.

Holistic approaches to chronic pain often include:

Identifying and reducing inflammatory triggers (like processed foods or allergens)
Gentle movement therapies: yoga, tai chi, stretching, or somatic practices
Mind-body techniques: meditation, breathwork, acupuncture, or craniosacral therapy
Anti-inflammatory herbs such as turmeric, ginger, boswellia, and willow bark
Emotional release and trauma-informed practices, recognizing that the body holds memory

Final Thoughts

Healing is not a one-size-fits-all process. Holistic health reminds us that true wellness comes from addressing the whole person—not just treating isolated symptoms. Whether you're supporting your immune system or living with chronic pain, the key is to listen deeply, ask why, and support the body’s natural wisdom.