I began my plant kingdom journey seven years ago when I started studying primitive living skills with Earthwalk Northwest. Through the experience of exploring my relationship to the natural world around me, I fell in love with plants and apprenticed for three years with ethnobotanist Karen Sherwood. I learned practical botany, ethical wildcrafting skills, and traditional uses of plants for food and medicine.
Following my years of apprenticeship, I involved myself in intensive self study of herbalism. Besides my studies here at the East West School of Planetary Herbology, I have also been honored to be mentored by Paul Bergner, Michael Moore, and Kiva Rose.I am currently taking a course on clinical herbalism with KP Khalsa.
Over the past two years it’s been my privilege to be an herbal consultant for HerbMentor.com, a community-based website for herbal education. To date I have written four e-books, created over 30 educational videos, and written many articles including a series on Anatomy and Physiology for herbalists. I also spend a lot of time in the forums participating in herbal discussions and answering questions.
This year, my main focus is creating a botany-for-herbalists course, publishing a book on colds and flu, and creating a mini visual glossary series to explain herbal terms.
I am also the wild plants and herbal health instructor for Methow Wilderness School where I lead wild plant walks aimed at helping people connect to the natural world
I met my husband Xavier while I was studying the wilderness arts. After marrying we remained dedicated to our values of living close to the earth. Our small cabin is located on the edge of the wilderness and we live simply with minimal solar electricity and no running water. We love experiencing the seasons and having the wild world at our fingertips. Pretty soon the forest around us will be covered in arnica and mariposa lilies!
Another exciting part of my life recently has been my involvement with the Traditions in Western Herbalism Conference. This new event is bringing together innovative teachers to present on western herbalism with a strong focus on plant energetics and bio-regional herbs.
Besides my passion for plants I am also a Structural Medicine Specialist. This type of structural integration focuses on easing chronic and acute pain by aligning the body in the gravitational field. I have a private practice where I see clients for herbal health consultations and Structural Medicine sessions.
So far my life has been a fascinating journey and I am thrilled that East West has been a part of my path. This school gave me a constitution-based approach to herbal health. This understanding is invaluable in the successful practice of herbalism.
You can follow my herbal adventures at http://www.MethowValleyHerbs.
I also enjoy connecting with herbally minded folk on Facebook.