The Holistic Guide to Wellness

Hi, I’m Dr. Nicole Apelian—herbalist, biologist, survival skills instructor, and mother.

At 29, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. My life changed overnight. I was in constant pain, often confined to a wheelchair, barely able to function. The disease had taken over, and traditional medicine had no answers for me. I tried every treatment—Western, Eastern, mainstream, alternative—but nothing helped. Instead, I only got worse.

Rather than accepting a life of suffering, I turned to what I knew best—nature. I started researching, experimenting, and making my own herbal remedies. I changed my diet, reduced stress, and embraced a more holistic approach to healing. Over time, my symptoms improved, my strength returned, and I regained control of my health.

For over 20 years, I have studied and used medicinal plants to heal myself and help others. I’ve lived and foraged with the San Bushmen, one of the world’s oldest cultures, who still rely on nature as their pharmacy. They taught me invaluable wisdom about plant medicine—knowledge that has been passed down for generations and largely forgotten in today’s world. Inspired by their teachings and my personal experience, I created this book.

Inside, you’ll find step-by-step instructions for making powerful, natural remedies—poultices, tinctures, decoctions, salves, syrups, infused oils, and more. I explain how to identify, harvest, and prepare medicinal plants, many of which may already be growing in your own backyard. These remedies have helped me keep MS at bay for over two decades—without a single pharmaceutical drug—and they can help with a wide range of health conditions, from inflammation and infections to immune support and chronic pain relief.

But this book is more than just a guide to herbal medicine—it’s about taking back control of your health and becoming more self-sufficient. In a world where we’ve become increasingly dependent on prescription drugs and commercial healthcare, it’s empowering to know that nature has already provided us with everything we need to heal.

If you’re looking to reduce your reliance on pharmaceuticals, enhance your well-being naturally, and reconnect with the healing power of plants, this book is for you. Nature has always held the answers—we just need to remember how to use them.