I grew up just west of Salt Lake City, Utah, and have spent my life surrounded by protective mountains and four very dramatic seasons. Since I was a child I’ve been fascinated by the natural world, and have looked for ways to align to it in my hobbies, spiritual practice, healing work, and everyday lifeways. I grew up an only child and spent a lot of time alone – or at least not in the company of other humans. I was the kid who could be found making friends with trees and animals, building forts in the backyard, giving names to bugs, and often spending much of my time reading. Some things never change! As I grew up I realized that the age-old axioms of animism were true for me: the world is filled with people, only some of whom are human, and all of them deserve our respect.

 

After training in several modalities of energy healing therapies, attending a massage therapy program, and starting one of the few medicinal herbal tea blogs online several years back, my path led me to study with East West School of Herbology. I enrolled on New Year’s Day 2015 and eight months later consider this to be one of the best and most important steps I’ve ever taken as a person and as a professional. The Planetary Herbology tradition is one that has dramatically changed the way I see people and herbs, and it’s allowed me to study, digest, and apply the important teachings of various energetic herbalism traditions in a way that works in the modern, urban world. While I’m in school I work full-time in a busy neighborhood restaurant where I’m learning about making delicious food and running a successful small business.

 

When I’m not having a blast doing homework for my East West studies, I’m usually working on an herbal tea formula, out for a run, having fun with my dog at the park, doing meditative journey work, or just spending time with my family and friends.

 

Once I complete the program my goal is to begin working with local people to help educate them about and connect them to the best in medicinal herbs. While I plan on working with all types of people, my focus will primarily be on mental health areas such as stress, anxiety, depression, pain, fear, and self-love. I also plan on making herbal teas a primary tool in my practice and look forward to providing delicious and effective tea blends for my community that they can steep at home or pick up infused from my apothecary.

 

I am so grateful to the East West program, especially to Michael, Lesley, Mara, Miles, Pamela, and Susan for their wisdom, classes, feedback, and passion for plant medicine. I can’t wait to see where the next year takes me!