INTERVIEW
Tell us about your work.
I am a certified naturopath, clinical herbalist and trainer. I have always had a passion for wellness. For the past 18 years, I have been a Quebec Without Borders trainer. I am also a close collaborator ofMrs. Jacynthe René on the JMagazine web portal. As a therapist, I have had an office in Cowansville for the past 11 years at the Verveine health boutique. I have the best job in the world! Every week, I witness small and big victories with my clients.
How long have you been studying?
I began my studies more than 20 years ago in various fields of biology and natural medicine. I also teach botanical medicine at the École d’enseignement supérieur de naturopathie du Québec and cardiovascular nutritherapy at the Institut d’enseignement en science naturopathique.
Tell us about an event that happened to you that you are proud of?
A few years ago, in 2002, when I was working for the promotion of health in the South, within the international organization Terra Medica, I was selected by the television channel Canal Vie and named one of the « 5 Inspiring Women of Quebec! What an honor, what a surprise to share this title with Mme Lise Payette and Mme Idola St-Jean! My educational and field experience had charmed a columnist on the program Les copines d’abord, hosted by Isabelle Maréchal, and she had submitted my official application!
Something you were involved in that touched you?
Many of my clients come to me for an integrative approach to oncology. I make safe recommendations to them so that radiation or chemotherapy treatments are more bearable and less « hypothetical » for their quality of life. I continually refer to the expertise of the various integrative cancer centers found in other Canadian provinces and the United States. The experience of these centers and their knowledge inform me about safe and effective protocols to be used in addition to conventional treatments offered by the oncology department.
It is easy for me to develop a friendly relationship with my clients, so much so that I recently offered to accompany one of my clients during one of his chemotherapy treatments at the Brome-Missisquoi-Perkins Hospital (BMP) in Cowansville. I think it is important for a health care provider to offer human support at such important times. I thought it was appropriate to be available and especially relevant to see this place in order to better understand the reality of the patients. I was deeply touched by the gentleness and good humor of the nurses and volunteers present that day. I was also saddened to see the loneliness of some unaccompanied patients. I believe that the state in which you receive chemotherapy affects the outcome. Call it placebo or not, but offering moral support, a sincere smile or providing a presence can never hurt, in my opinion.
What do you like about the Cantons?
I am proud to work in the region because, for me, the Eastern Townships inspire well-being. Beautiful landscapes, clean mountain air, pastured meat farmers, organic agriculture and natural water sources are a reflection of a healthy nature! People live better there, I think.
Your favorite restaurant?
Two other young businesses in the Eastern Townships deserve, in my opinion, an honourable mention: the healthy restaurant L’Archipel, located on the main street in Cowansville, and the restaurant Pur et Simple, in the Old Village of Bromont. We eat healthy and tasty! Kitchen offering vegan, dairy-free and mostly gluten-free alternatives, with the majority of dishes made from local market garden produce!
P.S.: The Verbena Health Boutique has been open for 12 years and offers an impressive range of medicinal herbs, natural cosmetics, effective health supplements and eco-friendly household products.
Global Health
Véronique Bourbeau
ND.A., Phy.D., Herb.clin.
Phone. : 450 521-2144
veroniquebourbeau@yahoo.ca
Facebook : Véronique Bourbeau naturopathic doctor
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