Herbalist Spotlight-Aviva Jill Romm

I am so pleased to present today Aviva Jill Romm. She is a 41 year old mother of 4 children ages 22-14 years.She has been married for 24 years. Author of such books as Natural Health After Birth, Vaccinations, A Thoughtful Parents Guide,The Natural Pregnancy Book: Herbs, Nutrition and Other Holistic Choices,Pocket Guide to Midwifery Care, and Naturally Healthy Babies and Children: A Commonsense Guide to Herbal Remedies, Nutrition, and Health Aviva is a powerhouse WOMAN! A midwife, herbalist, and currently continuing in her medical studies, I love this woman and all she mentors to many of us.





Do you remember what was going on in your life that lead you to herbs?
I was 15 years old, in college (I went early) studying premed and becoming an eco-feminist hippie!

How old were you at that time?
15 yo


Can you share some of the work that has most influenced you? Such as
books, blogs, video and lectures.
Well, at the time I first began studying herbal medicine there were really no books on the market--just 3 of them! So the plants influenced me directly--practicing on friends and learning whatever I could from whatever I could get me hands on. Over the years I've been influenced by so many of my herbal friends/colleagues---Roy Upton, Michael Tierra, Amanda McQuade Crawford, Mary Bove, Tieraona Low Dog---all of us whom talk about herbs, healing, etc. And this is just the top of the iceberg of who has influenced me. Also, i was heavily influenced in my midwifery by Ina May Gaskin and my midwifery mentor, Sarahn Henderson. I have been deeply influenced by ecofeminist writers and medical anthropology as well.


When making plant medicine, are you drawn to any particular method?
I love working with plants to make creative, beautiful healing products. I suppose I love making oils and salves the most. I also find making suppositories for gyn infections rewarding because they are so effective for women.



Do you have a most memorable event, conference, or one on one experience
with any of our herbal foremothers and forefathers or any other key person
used in your path of herbalism? And how has that influenced you today?
Jeannine Parvati was a close friend and a mentor very early in my career/path. She told me I reminded her a great deal of herself but she learned from suffering and wanted me to know that a shamanic path of healing did not have to be learned through suffering---to learn how to be wise without having to suffer was her advise and blessing.


Where are you located?
Right now near New Haven CT because I am in school at Yale School of Medicine...


Do you work with the public and could you describe your work? such as:
I teach, I write, I see patients every day, and have practiced as a midwife and herbalist for 20 years.


Do you teach classes?
Yes, and am about to expand into whole new teaching ventures about which I am really excited! Also, I now offer a women's herbal distance learning program and have over 60 students. It's a great program and will be expanding to include on-site training and eventually clinical internships.


Do you offer consultations?
Currently I am seeing patients in medical school, but not offering private consultations. I will expand back into a full practice when I complete medical school.



Do you travel for herbal work?
I have travelled in the past to teach for conferences, and will again, but travel is limited now because of school.


How can people contact you to find out more about what you offer, calender
of events, blogs, weed walks, etc?

Avivajill@aol.com

Do you have a vision for your work in the future or are you seeing how it
unfolds?
A large vision--clinic, community medical care, internation medical care, offering internships in herbal women's health and pediatric health, the course growing to include more components, healing gardens, and a spa on Friday nights for local practitioners to come and enjoy (smiles!)

Most of the readers are new to herbs and if there is one word of wisdom or
sage advice you could leave them, what would that be?
Be patient learning the plants and leaning people; teach what you know; be yourself; and be open to a wide spectrum of healing modalities so patients can be supported in what they need, not just in what you believe. Suspend judgment, be kind, and be honest.

Lessons learned from the river I love

learn from the river, the river that I love.
She flows down from the mighty mountains, cutting through stone. Pouring down onto sage filled flatlands nourishing cottonwoods that sit at the feet of natures cathedral.
The river absorbs the deepest snows and extended rains. She widens herself to carry the load, as her purpose must be fulfilled.
Even in times of drought and emptiness, she will adjust accordingly. Though her banks be revealed in such lack, she WILL keep MOVING.
So much of nature depends on her movement.
Flora and fauna soak up the drink she offers them as she passes by so that the life cycle may go on.
The beasts of the high country depend upon her for sustanance.

Humans engage in her power. Farmers depend on her for the food they bring the nations.
Each cup of coffee is from her, although rarely is a person conscious of her gift.
The anglers wade deep to obtain food from her waters.
Joy and laughter can be heard in her flow. People seeking the mysteries of her journey by raft or boat.
She brings awe as she winds through canyon and flatland as her beauty is unsurpassed.
Regardless of the conditions she emdures, each winding pathway can change from a smooth travel into a mightly turbulance, violent and dangerous.
Yet, she still moves on.

At times, her way may be blocked by surrounding landscapes in her path.
She does not stop and hesistate, but may split herself in two around the barrier, adn then comes together again eventually.
She knows her journey will be long-her focus on her final destination. Her HEAVEN, as her waters will eventually settle into the sea.
Those some may disrespect her purpose, abuse and pollute her life, she still MOVES ON!

How I love this river. Her message is clear.
Strength and purpose is her passion-nourishing life as a lactating mother that gives continually, despite the conditions she herself may endure.

Flow dear sister, rise up from that which drains you. Be strong through the journey and like the beloved river, MOVE ON through it all.

Kristena Haslam Roder
8-19-2008
While sitting at the feet of the Snake River, Jackson Wyoming.

I still do not have a personal computer so the photo is from http://pscc.state.wy.us/tetons.jpg

Nicole Carter Herbalist Spotlight

Nicole Carter has become a dear friend to me as well as someone I turn to sometimes for help. Nicole is a 33 year old mother to 2 beautiful children. The work she has forged out in my hometown of Las Vegas, Nevada has been such a blessing to the community as well as myself.
Her husband is very supportive of her work in teh Nevada desert, and I totally expect her to bloom in big ways. She has laid her life down and worked so hard.
She is that HAWT blond in the pic...I am behind her somewhere:)

Here is what Nic has to say.






Do you remember what was going on in your life that lead you to herbs?
I was putting myself through college, waiting tables, busting my ass. I
needed something to help me with the physical and mental stress. I found the
help with herbs, I was hooked forever.

How old were you at that time? 21



Can you share some of the work that has most influenced you? Such as books,
blogs, video and lectures. My favorite book is by Adele Dawson. I've attended
few workshops or conferences buy one in Scottsdale in 1995 or 1996 was related
to aromatherapy and I realized how plants are so connected to everything within
and outside of us.

When making plant medicine, are you drawn to any particular method? Im a tea
girl. I love the simplicity of being able to take any plant and make tea from
it, ready in minutes. Albeit some taste better than others, its fast and easy
and can be modified to your liking.

Do you have a most memorable event, conference, or one on one experience with
any of our herbal foremothers and forefathers or any other key person used in
your path of herbalism? And how has that influenced you today?
I met Rosemary Gladstary at the United Plant Savers and saw her connection to
the planet through herbs. I love that "basics" sense of living with plants and
employ it daily.
Where are you located? dare I say it, Vegas

Do you work with the public and could you descirbe your work? such as:
Do you teach classes? I do work with the public, teaching community outreach
through the local university (UNLV). I love it bcuz i can reach a lot of people
and its not expensive for them to try it out. 99% of them are hooked too.

Do you offer consultatons? Yes

Do you travel for herbal work? No, but I would if I needed to.

How can people contact you to find out more about what you offer, calender of
events, blogs, weed walks, etc? I have a website with links, a calendar of
events and a free quarterly newsletter.



Do you have a vision for your work in the future or are you seeing how it
unfolds?
Im really watching to see what happens. There is so much interest in herbal
medicine, and I myself have a lot to learn and experience yet. I would like to
open an herb clinic with classes and consulting and a herb "pharmacy".

Most of the readers are new to herbs and if there is one word of wisdom or
sage advice you could leave them, what would that be? Dont rush to get to the
"end" of studying, learning is a continuum.



Nicole Carter, MEd., M.H.
Master Herbalist, Holistic Health Educator
Nicole Carter Herbs

Tales of the runaway Herbwyfe..changes and soul searching

So as many of you know, I have been in Jackson Wyoming for almost a month now.

Came here as an internal nudging, a sense of healing and growth and education in the natural world.

I have my 3 littles and my 2 older sons are here. My ex husband is here.

My current husband is home at the herb center.

I know to look at me right now, things would seem improper, wrong, confusing, unstable, and wacked out really.
And it is quite unusual.

But I feel to stay, for how long I do not know.

And I have been faced with so many feelings. With mom dying, with my marriage, with my children, with myself.

Being able to drive just about anywhere and hike or view the beauty of the Teton region is so healing to the soul.

I was approved for an apartment that works within my budget. That in itself is a miracle.
Not only that, but as I awoke this morning and opened my shades, the view took my breath away. This apartment ahs south exposure and this north window gets a beautiful view of the mountains and a park below us.

As I have been praying and waiting to be sure I am doing the right thing, I kept waiting jsut to be sure staying would be right, when the day to make my decision ont he paratment came, my vehicle engine blew and now I am stuck here....so yeah..I finally got it through my head that it is ok to be here and now I have no choice. And it will be ok:)

My children love it here so much.

I am workign with Dreamseeds here in the Teton Valley, getting to meet people and share my work with others, while learning from other healers here on occassion basis.
My friend Dragon Lady has been such a huge blessing for me here. We love the plant world so much and have different gifts so our conversation stays exciting.

Tonite is a family drum circle we will attend. The children are stoked.

I ahd a message from my mom after her death of asking my forgiveness, which I had already given but it brought comfort to my soul. The message came from another woman who knew nothing about me or my mom, and the woman spoke to my mothers mental illness which floored me. The whole situation brought a healing beyond words.
While my brothers tended to mom's affairs, they had signs in Georgia come to them. It was quite interesting for us all.

I am a bit afraid. The winters here are seriously cold and powerfully strong. I wonder how I will make it without my husband here. Yet, I think that is the very thing God wants me to realize. That my faith needs to be strong, that I am more of a powerful woman than I realize and that I deserve peace and happiness.
And I also have layed friendships on the table. I have been so sad due to the lack of friendships in Arkansas. The few that I had were only alive if I kept them going by doing all the visiting and phone calling. I cannot say how badly this hurt me. So many times I was hurting emotionally or physically and jsut did not have the support I needed.
Breaking away has been so good, to realize how wonderful I really am and deserve good relationship, but to have people here, in the short time I have been here, call and speak to me on their own.
I really needed that! To feel valuable, you know. Women, WE ARE VALUABLE. Let those words set into your heart.

So, that is an update. workign with teton plants, like balsamroot. I did see some wild valerian and have gathered horsetail, wild roses (that are amazing by the way) and red clover that is plumper and juicier than those in Arkansas, and more beautiful useful plants.

Working with pine pitch right now. This is fun!

Dreamseeds is open, things will be added to the site soon. I am excited.