Wellness By Susan in Baltimore: Herbal Consultation and Botanical Remedies
Wellness By Susan operates as a naturopathic practice and botanical dispensary in Baltimore, specializing in herbal formulations, nutritional counseling, and plant-based wellness protocols tailored to individual health patterns.
What the practice is
Susan runs a small, appointment-based practice that combines herbal consultation with on-site compounding and retail sale of tinctures, teas, and botanical extracts. Unlike larger holistic clinics that may operate as drop-in wellness centers, this is a one-practitioner model where each client works directly with Susan to develop remedy protocols. The practice occupies a modest storefront location that doubles as a working apothecary, with shelving for finished products alongside the space where formulations are prepared. It sits between the full-scope naturopathic doctors who hold state licensure in other U.S. states (not Maryland) and the herbal retailers who stock pre-made products without personalized guidance.
Services and pricing
Consultations begin at $75 for an initial intake (typically 60 minutes) and run $50 for follow-up visits (usually 30 to 45 minutes). During a first appointment, Susan reviews health history, current symptoms, diet, stress patterns, and prior supplement use, then recommends a combination of herbal remedies matched to the presenting concern. Common recommendations include custom herbal blends brewed as teas, tinctures dosed in drops, or powders added to food or water. Finished products retail from $12 to $25 per container for single-herb extracts or pre-made blends; prices vary by preparation method and sourcing. Custom formulations prepared on-site or to order range from $20 to $50 depending on ingredient count and complexity. No insurance is billed. The practice operates on a cash and direct-pay model, meaning clients pay out of pocket and manage their own reimbursement claims if their plan offers out-of-network naturopathic coverage.
How it differs from other Baltimore options
Baltimore's herbal-centered practices fall into three loose tiers. Retailers like Mountain Rose Herbs or Whole Foods' bulk section offer low-friction access to single herbs and pre-blended formulas but provide no personalized direction. Large naturopathic clinics (such as those affiliated with the Institute for Functional Medicine or chiropractic offices with naturopathic arms) combine herbal work with testing panels, dietary plans, and staff support but charge $150 to $250 per initial consultation and typically require a multi-visit package. Wellness By Susan fills the middle: lower entry cost than a full-service clinic, personalized formulation unlike a retail shelf, and no testing fee or long-term commitment required. Choose a retailer if you already know what you're looking for; choose a clinic if you need imaging or functional testing as part of diagnosis; choose Wellness By Susan if you want expert curation at a modest hourly rate without the overhead of a group practice.
Who benefits, and who does not
This practice works best for people managing chronic complaints (fatigue, digestive sluggishness, joint stiffness, mild anxiety) who are open to plant-based support and willing to wait 2 to 4 weeks to assess a remedy's effects. It also suits clients who want to avoid prescription routes for non-acute issues or who are tapering off medications under a doctor's supervision and need herbal support during transition. It does not replace urgent medical care, acute infection treatment, or specialist diagnosis. It is not a fit for clients who require lab interpretation as part of their protocol or who need the accountability of structured meal planning that some naturopathic clinics provide. Maryland does not license naturopaths as independent practitioners, so Wellness By Susan operates under herbal retail and consultation licensing, not medical licensure; this distinction matters for clients seeking the credential assurance a licensed ND (available in regulated states like Oregon or Washington) would provide.
What the first visit entails
You arrive for a scheduled appointment. Susan asks detailed questions about symptoms, when they began, what makes them better or worse, past remedies tried, and dietary habits. She may ask about sleep, stress, digestion, menstrual patterns (if applicable), and family health history. She takes notes and may use reference materials to cross-check herb interactions if you're on medications. At the end of the 60-minute block, she recommends a starting protocol, typically 2 to 4 herbal products, explains how to use each (dosage, timing, preparation), and discusses what changes to watch for over the next 4 to 6 weeks. If products are in stock, you can purchase them at the visit; if custom formulation is needed, you may pick them up within a week or have them mailed. A follow-up is usually scheduled 4 to 6 weeks out.
Hours, parking, and logistics
Wellness By Susan operates by appointment Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (verify current hours as they have shifted seasonally). The storefront sits on a neighborhood street with limited street parking; there is no dedicated lot. The practice is accessible via the No. 3 bus line. Bring payment in cash or card, as processing is manual. The space is small and quiet, suited to private conversation.
Wellness By Susan serves the segment of Baltimore seeking herbal guidance without the cost or structure of a full naturopathic clinic, and it fills a gap for clients who want personalized remedy consultation from someone deeply versed in botanical effects and plant combinations.
