Herbalist Interview-Jim McDonald

jim mcdonald is a 36 year old married father of 2 boys ages 5 and 1 years old.
And a cat named chicken
little, and one named ceilidh (kay-lee).

I purposely typed jim's name lower case, because this is his style everywhere I have ran into him online.
No fancy nor formal spelling or capitalizing, yet his plant wisdom is really phenomenal and he is a really cool guy. Not only that, I have a thing for long hair!

I love bringing male herbalist's experiences to my students and readers because we seem to know more of the female herbalist. But beleive me, the men in our plant work are serious and dedicated and so knowledgeable. I am delighted to share jim's work today and his website is really awesome. You will find a link on down in the interview.




Do you remember what was going on in your life that lead you to herbs?

I was already quite a hiker, canoer, and park goer, but didn't really
know much about plants. Stephen Buhner summed up my state nicely when
he said he figured "small ones were plants, medium sized ones were
bushes, and big ones were trees".

In college, though, I happened to live on an overgrown 30 acre farm,
and my roommate left out Jeanne Rose's Herbs and Things. I picked it
up and that was that. I started trying some things, the whole
situation escalated into overflowing mason jars. There really wasn't
a point where I consciously thought "Hey, I want to get into this
more"... it just happened, then I realized it after the fact.

I pretty much taught myself, or, more honestly, learnt from the
plants. I figured out a lot of what I could use calamus root for just
by chewing on it a lot, and getting to know it. That helped me learn
how to figure other plants out directly. I didnt take any clases for
quite a few years, since there wasn't much of an herb community around
here and the internet wasn't really happening yet. I spent lots of
time outside, and would sit for hours in the big bookstores IDing
stuff I'd found and cross referencing in books they had there. I
would write stuff down real tiny on samll bits of paper.

How old were you at that time?

bout 23ish?

Can you share some of the work that has most influenced you? Such as books,
blogs, video and lectures.

Foundationally, being with the plants, and learning that, yes, you can
learn directly from them. This was then reinforced when I found
Stephen Buhner's Sacred Plant Medicine. It "validated" everything I
was heading towards. I got David Hoffman's Holistic Herbal some time
afterwards, which got me more interested in understanding herbal
properties. And then Matthew Wood's Book of Herbal Wisdom. After
getting that, I tracked him down (hard to do, pre-internet) and then
went to a class he was teaching in ohio with Rosemary, whose down to
earth coolness I was inspired by. I kept in touch with both of
them, who've been super wonderful kind to me. Sometime later I
figured out about the internet, and through that studied ecletic and
physiomedical herbalism, and met oodles of folks. Among them Paul
Bergner has been incredible in the generosity with which he shares. I
also really dig on the nurmeous folks blogging and posting to forums
and mailing lists. Its an incredible resource for people who don't
live surrounded by other herbfolk to get exposed to new ideas and
such.

When making plant medicine, are you drawn to any particular method?

By hand, if at all I can help it. I collect most of what I use, and
get almost everything else from the person who picked or grew it. Its
like prayer, meditation... its a practice of connection with the plant
to make medicine of them. You try and stay present so you can learn
from them as you're chopping, grinding, decanting...

I do everything by eyeball & feel except tinctures, which I weigh and
measure to keep consistant as I make them year after year.

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 the weekend that she found out that Terrance McKenna
had brain cancer. He was really into psychedelics. Someone asked if
she thought that had anything to do with it and she just said that
she'd seen so many people do everything "right" - eat good organic
food, drink teas, do ceremony, exercise, laugh - and still sometimes
someone would get this or that illness. That it just happened
sometimes, and wasn't because they "did something wrong". It was so
humble and so true, and she said it without in any way condescending
to the guy who asked the question. I really admired that. If you
ever meet rosemary, she's amazing. Totally down to earth and
approachable. She glows. She's not an encyclopedeia, she's not an
amazing writer, she's not some idealized flawless person, but she's
real and you look at her and you see that she's doing something very
beautiful for herself and the world around her.

So, she and a some other folks (I'll certainly leave people out so
I'll pass on a long list) are so kind and available for people, so
willing to help out others in whatever way they can. That's what I
really deeply admire and strive towards. Doing that is more important
to me than "making a living".

The other thing is when I get kind follow up from students or people
who visited my site or who are on herb lists... It creates this cycle
of I'm helped out, I help out, that person helps someone out... I
like that. I couldn't say that I valued a compliment from a very
knowledgeable herbalist any more than I value a compliment from a
student.

Where are you located?

southeast Michigan. fields, meadows, mixed eastern hardwood forest habitat.

Do you work with the public and could you descirbe your work?

I consider myself a village/community herbalist. I teach, write,
speak, consult and share throughout my community.

Do you teach classes?

yes, often. Usually afternoon long classes with a lot of time for
discussion, storytelling and elaboration. I simply love finding ways
to present ideas that make them easy for people to understand and
connect with. Though I have long, detailed handouts, I pretty much
wing all the classes when i do them. I'm not goot at looking at
notes. Sometimes I'll use the handouts to look and make sure I'm on
track, but I figure when I go into a class, I already know most of
what I'm going to present. So the questions and discussions are what
make it more dynamic, and what i learn from.

Short classes are hard for me. I talk to much.

Do you offer consultatons?

yes, as time allows. I still have a day job to help pay the bills &
two little ones (one REALLY little one) and "formal" consults are fit
in as I'm able. They're not infrequent, but not daily occurances.
But I also do a lot of less formal consults with students and a few
other folks I cross paths with, who call or write. I'll occasionally
do housecalls.

Do you travel for herbal work?

Yep, throughout michigan, but also other places if there's enough
interest to cover my expenses and make it feasable for me. I've been
down to Ohio, and taught at the last and will teach at this years
International Herb Symposium. I've also taught at the mid america
symposium in minnesota, and in mississippi. It's something I really
like and want to do more of, though I don't want to travel too much,
cuz I don't really care for airports and miss my little ones (and the
other big one.)

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

www.herbcraft.org
jim@herbcraft.org
248-737-3589

Do you have a vision for your work in the future or are you seeing how it
unfolds?

I'm reworking my long term class to make it easier for people who live
farther away, and I expect to teach "out" more at some of the
conferences. I'm working on a book, though that's been at a slothful
pace since parenthood. But it'll eventually get done. I'm sure I
could be more efficient at getting things done, though I'm far better
at showing up and teaching than planning, promoting, advertising and
scheduling. Ack.

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?
Spend time with the plants, and strive to make relationships with em.
If you're going to use stuff, know why. If you're suggesting things,
know what they all taste and smell like. Make your herbcraft visceral



life is short. we must move very slowly.


--
jim mcdonald
~herbalist~
(248) 737-3589
www.herbcraft.org

Herbalist Spotlight- Darcey Blue

This month I feature Arizona herbalist Darcey Blue. The first time I was exposed to Darcey, I ordered some things from her including an awesome smudge she made with desert herbs.

She has been a passionate herbalist, an amazing cook, and continual student of health.

She has always been very kind and supportive to me throughout the years, and has been a source of encouragement in times I felt like giving up.

Darcey is engaged and is in her late twenties. A marvelous herbal woman (hear her roar)
She currently lives and practices her herbal work in Tuscon, Arizona.









Do you remember what was going on in your life that lead you to herbs?

I read clan of the cave bear at age 12, became fascinated that one could heal and eat from the wildplants, and so went into my back yard to discover edible dandelions, alfalfa, and thistles, and healing artemisia, yarrow and more. The first time I tried an herb and it worked was in winter, i had a horrible sore throat, but was supposed to go on a ski trip with my family. I went to the back yard and collected some winter withered artemisia and yarrow leaves, made a very bitter tea, and discovered that my sore throat went away! It was amazing, and that started me on the path of herbal healing and love.


How old were you at that time?
12 or 13




Can you share some of the work that has most influenced you? Such as books, blogs, video and lectures.

Well, hrm, lots of things, but Michael Moores books all were primary resources as I was learning bout medicinal plants in the SW. The Wild Foragers group years ago was full of wise women gathering wild foods and medicines and I befriended many. Susan Weed's forum was a great place to begin to learn and make connections, and of course my teachers, rosemary gladstar, charlie kane, and paul bergner all greatly influenced me.


When making plant medicine, are you drawn to any particular method?

I go with what works at the time, if I have a certain kind of alcohol on hand, that is what I use. I prefer fresh plant tinctures to dry plant tinctures, as well as oils, but find myself moving away from tinctures and more into traditional forms of herbal medicines like teas, powders in honey, or milk, or oil infusions, baths, etc. I learned the scientific way, and the simplers way, and frankly I use them both, at different times. it depends on what the plant wants, and what I have around me.


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'd say I have memorable moments with the plants and plant spirits as guides, teachers and healers. The plants are our most important teachers and they are always speaking to us. We just have to learn to hear them. My most moving story is that of a juniper tree in the foothills of the mountain in Tucson. I woke one morning with this overwhelming feeling that a tree was calling to me. So I went driving up into the mountains. parked my car and began walking until I found this tree. She was an OLD juniper, and i sat down with her. i gave her a gift/offering, and she reciprocated. then I had what I would call a spiritual connection with this plant being, who spoke to me in my head, through all my senses. I cried, and I wrote the words that came to me. it was such a deep connection, I can hardly describe it.
Several weeks later a fire raged through those same mountains and burned that tree to the ground. Perhaps it was her parting gift to the world, she was saying goodbye and sharing her life force with me. That juniper spirit is still with me and still guides me. That is the true power of the plants.




Do you work with the public and could you descirbe your work? such as:
Do you teach classes?

I have taught classes in the past, workshop form simple classes on herbs for women, herbs for gifts, salve making, vinegars etc. I plan on doing more teaching in the future when I'm settled in one place for a little while.

NOTE-since the time of the interview a few months back, Darcey is not offering plant walks and I am sure more to come-check her website, which is located toward the bottom of this herbalist spotlight.

Do you offer consultatons?
yes, I perfer to work one on one in person with people for a period of a month to three months to really see and make a difference. i will do phone consultations and short question answering as well, but much perfer to establish a close and long term healing relationship with someone. things dont happen overnight, either in illness or in healing.


Do you travel for herbal work?
I suppose I could. i travel for herbal education. I haven't had the opportunity yet,but hopefully it will come.


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

Blue Turtle Botanicals
or

Gaia's Gifts
Which is Darcey's blog

Or email at:
blueturtlebotanicals@gmail.com




Do you have a vision for your work in the future or are you seeing how it unfolds?

Both. I have a vision, but feel as if I'm just starting out and dont know exactly what will lead to what. But I do plan on offering consultations, as I feel a true herbalist must offer the healing medicine to others as a part of their service, give away and reciprocity for what they have recieved from the plant world. Definately classes with hands on expeirence with medicine making, wildcrafting, and plant spirit medicine, plant walks, plant and spirit retreats, earth skills and hopefully one day some land for a learning center to support those classes.



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?

Play with the herbs, dont be afraid of them. It is like cooking, you must experience them, taste them, cook with them, mix them up and use them to really understand them as medicines and helpers. Don't be afraid to experiment. sometimes things wont turn out that great, and other times you'll hit on a stroke of genius. keep at it!

Herbalist Spotlight-Kiva Rose

I love bringing these herbalist to my blog. Herbalism is not a fixed art, and herbalists from around the world work in various forms of our passion.
We have experienced those that have sanctuaries to protect and grow herbs, those that are clinical practitioners, midwifes and soon to be doctors, and Tina Sams who developed her love for herbs into a bi monthly magazine.

Today I share with you a little lady with a big calling.
Kiva Rose is a vibrant young woman in her late twenties. She continues her commitment while being partnered and mothering her daughter, Rhiannon who is about 8 years old.

She lives in the Gila of New Mexico and along with Loba and Jesse Wolf Hardin, maintain the sacred area of the Sweet Medicine Canyon while also offering retreats and classes.

I asked Kiva Rose a few questions to share with you today and I am sure you will enjoy the knowledge of this young woman who is very active in her work by writing, consulting, teaching, and living!





Do you remember what was going on in your life that lead you to herbs?

Plants make up most of my earliest memories. I grew up in the Appalachians and deep South where the plants are especially prolific and present.. Yarrow, Burdock and Honeysuckle were everywhere and figured very large in my imagination and playtime. My mother’s garden was a huge inspiration to me and I spent long hours playing in the dirt and tasting plants. Having been something of a nomad for much of my adult life, I learned to love the plants wherever I was. And yet, the pieces didn’t fall completely into place until I found my real home here in the Mogollon Mountains. Once I arrived here, the plants began to really speak to me, and my calling as a Medicine Woman became more and more clear under their guidance. So although I have been in love with the herbs from the beginning, I didn’t really find my path until I came home to this very special place and the medicines particular to this land.

How old were you at that time?

From near babyhood really, but more in a focused way by the time I was seven or eight. I was in my early twenties when I came home to New Mexico and really began learning and practicing herbalism in an intensive way.

Can you share some of the work that has most influenced you? Such as books, blogs, video and lectures.

I was, and still am, influenced by the archetype of the European Medicine Woman from the fairytales I grew up reading, and I am still continually inspired by the Curanderas, Yerberas and medicine people of my home here in the Southwest. As far as particular herbalists and their work, my first herb book was Michael Moore’s Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West and I have been very influenced by all of his books and work. Other than Michael, other primary influences include Matthew Wood, Susun Weed, Paul Bergner, Henriette Kress and all of the Physiomedicalists, especially William Cook. What I like best is work that derives from direct experience with plants and people, and imparts a sense of intimacy with the herbs that only comes from years of daily interaction with the remedies.

When making plant medicine, are you drawn to any particular method?

I consider myself very much a practitioner of folk medicine, in the Appalachian traditions of my childhood and also the very special blend of Hispanic/Apache/Navajo/Anglo medicine traditions of this area. I tend towards simpling in my practice, although I also rely on both traditional and improvised formulas for certain situations. I make 90% of all my medicines from local plants. My whole approach to herbalism is very hands on and earthy, I want to stay close to the practices of my ancestors and yet adapt enough for my practice to be relevant and effective. Keeping my medicine simple allows me to imbue it with intent and prayer, and on the most practical level, helps me ensure both quality and consistency. The purpose of the Medicine Woman Tradition is to blend the ancient and the new into a grass roots approach for women that is more than just a way of making medicine or tending to people’s health concerns, it’s a way of life and being.. The Medicine Woman Tradition teaches that healing is not about being free from pain or discomfort, but rather the pursuit and integration of wholeness in all aspects of our lives.

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 haven’t spent much time within the mainstream herbal culture. Instead, most of my person to person herbal learning has been gleaned from the Hispanic and Native elders of my local village and area. This has been a moment to moment process, spent on shady front porches and next to aquecias with the old people who still remember the roots their mothers and grandmothers and great grandmothers used from this very same soil. I don’t recall a single moment, it’s been more of a long line of slow spoken encounters with the people who have utilized these herbs as medicine for generation after generation. Through these amazing individuals I’ve learned nearly forgotten medicine making techniques, the names and uses of countless native herbs and a certain unique way of approaching the healing process as a part of everyday life, as common sense as tamales and posole. The remedies that come directly from this place are very special to me and of primary importance in my practice. I feel that the healing I facilitate with my clients and students is a direct outflow of the profound power of this special land.

Where are you located?

I live and work from Anima Center, a botanical and women’s sanctuary in a remote river canyon nestled among the Mogollon Mountains of southwestern New Mexico. These mountains are essentially the southernmost stretch of the Rockies, and are a part of the Gila bioregion. This area shelters an amazing diversity of both flora and fauna, and provides an ideal location for studying wild herbs in their natural habitat.

Do you work with the public and could you describe your work? such as:
Do you teach classes?

Anima Center offers both on site and distance learning in the form of correspondence courses, workshops, events, internships and apprenticeships. All classes, consultations and other services are offered by donation.

Do you offer consultations?

I offer both online consultations and in person consultations.

Do you travel for herbal work?

Although it’s hard to leave my beautiful home, I do sometimes travel within the Southwest and Rockies to teach with my partners Loba and Jesse Wolf Hardin.

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

To learn more about my work at Anima Center, and the Medicine Woman Tradition visit www.animacenter.org and also my online herbal blog at www.bearmedicineherbals.com or you can email me directly at
kiva@bearmedicineherbals.com


Do you have a vision for your work in the future or are you seeing how it unfolds?

Each year we continue to deepen and expand the Medicine Woman Tradition, and each growing season we restore more of the sanctuary land with native plants. As we grow, I hope to be able to offer a haven and learning place for more and more women to study, heal and experience the transformative magic of the herbs and the Medicine Woman Way.


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?

Sense, serve, savor.

Herbalist Spotlight-Matthew Wood

I love the cheerful energy of this picture of Matthew Wood.
He was actually speaking in a neighboring state a month or so ago and I sadly missed that venue.
Matthew is an amazing herbalist and has authored such books as

Seven Herbs, Plants as Teachers


Earthwise Herbal

The Book of Herbal Wisdom: Using Plants as Medicines

The Practice of Traditional Western Herbalism: Basic Doctrine, Energetics, and Classification

Vitalism:The History of Herbalism, Homeopathy, and Flower Essences

And a new release coming out in April, 2009
Earthwise Herbal: A Complete Guide to New World Medicinal Plants


Matthew is in his early 50's. A single man that has devoted his life to this work. He lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.


He shares this story on how he was lead to herbs.
It was 1967. Age 13. I read "The Teachings of Don Juan" by Carlos Castaneda and
realized that herbs were reference points for patterns on the physical,
psychological, and spiritual levels.

Going back further than that. Age three weeks, we arrive in Big Cyprus Seminole
Indian Reservation in Big Cyrus Swamp, FL, fifty miles by dirt road from the
nearest town. Leave when I am two years old. I learn a different perspective,
alien almost to ordinary Anglo-American culture.

Paracelsus (1493-1541) has had the deepest effect on Matthews work. For introduction see Paracelsus, Selected Writings, ed.
by Jolande Jacoby, 1953, Bollingen.

Matthew prefers making his formulas with fresh plants in brandy.

The late William LeSassier (1951-2004)has had the biggest impact on how things are experienced by Matthew today. William was a truly great herbalist and master
healer and psychic presence. It was great to spend time with him whenever
possible.

Classes are helpd in Minneapolis privately, and around the country too(CA, NM, WI, MI, GA, MA, NY,
etc.). Also at Minneapolis Community Technical College.

Matthew also is available for consultations.

I asked Matthew is he has any visions to share with us and he says,
"Yes, I have a vision. Have to cool my jets as I get older. Will keep the
details to myself." I totally agree! lol

One last word Matthew leaves with us is,
As Arlo Omaha, one of my teachers said: "herbs work by magic and they don't work
any other way."
You can visit Matthew's website to see more about what he offers and see great pictures too.
Sunnyfield Herb Farm

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.

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

Herbalist Spotlight-Angie Goodloe

Angie Goodloe is such a sweet herbalist as well as educated.
She is a 34 year old wife and mother. She is due with her second child very soon as well as has a daughter that is about a year and a half.

So herbal mothering is second nature to this wonderful woman.

I am sure we will see more of Angie in the years to come.

I sent her a questionairre and here is a littel about her life she shares with us.
Enjoy~








Do you remember what was going on in your life that lead you to herbs?
Herbs and plants have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My family has wildcrafted, used natural and folk remedies, and practiced a country way of living (gardening, canning, homemade meals, working outdoors, farm animals et). My Mother and Grandmother were the main influences. I was lucky as a child because my house bordered a forest in the Pacific Northwest, in the Columbia River Gorge where I could explore and get to know all of the local flora & “weeds”.


How old were you at that time?
Very young, as long as I can remember~
I was always a “Tom Boy” playing in the dirt and letting my imagination run wild. My Grandmother had 10 kids, they were immigrants who worked the fields, so a sense of self reliance and country ways where always ingrained into me. My Grandma was originally from Arkansas, she passed down many folk ways to me.



Can you share some of the work that has most influenced you? Such as
books, blogs, video and lectures.
Besides my family, Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean Auel was the first book that really got my passion flowing. I was about 10 or 11 when I read it. The second herbalist (besides Mom and Grandma) would be Juliette Levy. I have always loved animals, I felt more confident working with them when I first started. Her Gypsy ways always intrigued me, I would spend hours wandering through the forest, this was my escape. Another would be Michael Moore, I still love all of his books. Rosemary Gladstar is another one of my favorites, I can really relate to her style. A few more are Stephen Buhner, Matthew Wood, Leslie Tierra. Aviva Romm has been a recent favorite of mine, since becoming a new Mother, her books have helped me tremendously.

My first formal herbal education was the Australasian College of Health Sciences in Portland Or. I graduated from their Master Herbalist Program and their Holistic Nutrition program. Prior to that education, I was a certified personal trainer and aerobics instructor. I have my Mother’s influence to thank for that as well, besides always being active, she got me started strength training, skiing, martial arts, and hiking from a very early age. I have always had an interest in overall wellness, taking college courses, consulting others, and practicing this lifestyle for myself and my family.

I love to take classes, I am currently working with Kiva Rose, and I plan on taking Micheal Moore, Paul Bergner, rosemary Gladstar, Aviva Romm and whatever other books, lectures and seminars I can seem to afford!
I love learning and networking with other herbalists as well, I consider jim mcdonald a close friend and an absolute genius! He is amazingly open and accessible with all of his knowledge.

When I first got access to the internet, I ran across Henriette Cress’s website, I went crazy printing all sorts of resources from there.

I also have an interest in wild foods, outdoor survival, and Indigenous Herbalism. I love to research the Pacific Northwest Native American traditions. When I give my herbal & wild food walks, I like to add native uses for plants in my descriptions. Growing up, I had Native American influences from my uncle, this helped to foster an early interest.

Spirituality and healing have been a more recent interest of mine. In the past few years this has been a major focus and I realize it’s importance when it comes to a balanced state of health. Connecting with the earth has always been a natural thing for me, as I get older I learn to appreciate it’s importance even more. I would frequently sit with plants and connect with all of nature as a child, it is funny how we end up seeing the importance of this and long to return to it as an adult. Now I still get out in nature as much as possible, I find it very healing and rejuvenating.

My Licensed Massage Therapist education in 2002 really helped my healing practice come full circle. I got to learn both western and eastern techniques, received an excellent education in anatomy, physiology, pathology and kinesiology. This helped with my intake skills as well as intuitive abilities. Incorporating massage, wellness, spirituality and herbal remedies really gives me a chance to empower others to be balanced and focus on overall health. Since I have a background in many types of healing modalities, I use a little of everything from my healing “tool box” when meeting with clients.

In 2005 I had the opportunity to work as a manager at The Green Herb Apothecary here in Sandy Or before they closed in 2007. This gave me the opportunity to see alternative medicine trends and the needs of the community. I really enjoyed having frequent interaction with the community daily. Working in a store atmosphere helped me with the business aspect as well. After the closing of the apothecary I ran an online store selling the remainder of the inventory of herbal remedies, vitamins, books and crafts.

As for blogs, my favorite is Kiva Roses Medicine Woman Roots, I have many others, but this is at the top of my list.
I enjoy forums, herbwifery & Susun weed’s.

When making plant medicine, are you drawn to any particular method?

I enjoy wildcrafing my own medicine, making all types of healing medicine with intention. I make a lot of tinctures.

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?
Probably foraging with my Mother, and my Grandmothers healing medicine (not just herbs) she was a garden steward, and she was an incredible healer, praying for others, an excellent listener, an incredible medicine woman!
My love of nature. Nature itself influenced me, it’s amazing new discoveries every day made me want to learn more, connect more. I had an interest in this for as long as I can remember, without having to be pushed into it. I loved it so much I spent more time outside than inside, connecting with the forest, rivers, ocean and animals. I have always believed they have a spirit all their own, and yes I believe in fairies!!!!

Where are you located?
Mt Hood~ Sandy Oregon

Do you work with the public and could you describe your work? such as:
Do you teach classes?
I teach classes at Universal Class.
I host herb walks
I enjoy writing in my blog Herbalist Path (Kr notes, check her blog out for her schedule, workshops, etc.. too)
I am taking a break from working full time as an LMT, to stay home with my Daughter and my 2nd child that is due July 4th. I still practice at the Guide Dogs For the Blind, with the students there occasionally.

I work with people when referred, I no longer have a place to hang my shingle (the rent did not make sense after my Daughter was born), I am playing around with the idea of consulting from home (instead of traveling) I just moved to a new home and plan on planting a healing garden here, I may teach a small group of students at my home.

I am planning to teach a few classes focusing on women’s health at a book shop in Welches Oregon in the spring.

Do you offer consultations?
Yes

Do you travel for herbal work?
Yes, I also help people online and by phone.




Do you have a vision for your work in the future or are you seeing how
it unfolds?

Oh yes, I dream every day! I would love to someday have a healing center, with an apothecary and garden onsite, offering classes, and a variety of holistic healing techniques. I do not see my self in a “white coat” clinical type atmosphere.
I would also love to write more, perhaps publish a book someday.


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?

Don’t feel like you “need” some fancy certificate to practice with herbs. Work with the plants, know your limits, be educated, but practice! That is the only real way to learn. Experience nature, heal yourself so you can better heal others.

Heather Bupp-Dragon Lady Teas and my new friend:)

Heather and I met a couple weeks ago in Jackson, Wyoming.I of course, curious about all the hopeful herbalists I can meet, began a search for other like minded like I always do.
I must be honest, whenever I have tried to connect with other herbalists, they usually ignore me, but there are 2 so far that have reached back out in my desire to continue community in the green lovin world.
Nicole Carter and Heather Bupp are 2 herbalists working in their communities and making powerful and positive impact in other peoples lives.

Both women have made huge impact in my life in one way or another and make me so grateful that these connections came to pass.

So let me tell you a little bit about Heather.
Heather Bupp aka Dragon Lady is currently 34.
She is happily married to a great man, and has 2 sons. Canyon is 9 and Arrow is 4.

She makes some of the best tea I have ever savored. Happy tea is magical! Truly.

She blessed me with a few blends to try and I am pleased with each one...Chai, Raven, and Happy. I am currently sipping Raven right now as I type.

I have a Dragon Lady tea menu and keep it in my top drawer so that I can order more soon.

Truly gifted, in many areas.




I sent my friend a basic questionairre and this is her response back to me. It will bless you~



Do you remember what was going on in your life that lead you to herbs?
Moving to the mountains of Wyoming started my love affair with herbs. Curiosity and respect drove my interest.


How old were you at that time? 20



Can you share some of the work that has most influenced you? Such as books, blogs, video and lectures.


Rosemary Gladstar, Greg Tilford and Susan Weed were my first teachers. But the work of Findhorn and Perelandra Gardens really made my heart beat. Also any literature about Flower Essences (Dr. Bach and Flower Essence Society).

When making plant medicine, are you drawn to any particular method?

Listening to the plants and going with the Flow is the method that seems to work best for me. I can follow some guidelines, but it always seems to come down to my relationship with and connection to the plant people.

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?


All my encounters with fellow plant-obsessed people have been wonderful and memorable, but my conversations with Michael Pilarski have been the most exciting. He organizes whole events in celebration of the 'unseen' worlds of the fairies/devas and nature spirits. it's always fun for me to talk to people who believe.


Where are you located? Jackson, Wyoming

Do you work with the public and could you descirbe your work? such as:
Do you teach classes? yes, when i'm asked to.

Do you offer consultations? yes. I do distance energy work that involves uncovering the story a person holds in his/her body. the story is full of symbols, like a dream. the symbols work to open and unfold the person within and I use herbs and flower essences to support the process.

Do you travel for herbal work? i would.

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

i am open to talk/visit with anyone who is interested. you could visit my site DragonLadyTeas for info, but i don't have any regular scheduled events yet. i do offer tea parties. this is one way i like to connect people and plants.

Do you have a vision for your work in the future or are you seeing how it unfolds?

my work involves connecting people and plants. i can see which plants belong with which people based on my observation of the plant life cycle and understanding of their language. my ultimate goal is to open our eyes to how connected we all are.....to everyone and everything. i use my Teas to spread that energy on a larger scale and my one-on-one experiences to help the individual unfold. my wish is for everyone to evolve to their highest potential. i am a messenger, here to assist in the transformation. it's an exciting time to be here on earth!



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? Walk Slowly, Listen Carefully, Trust Yourself and BE exactly who you ARE.

PLEASE, you owe it to yourself to see this video clip about Heathers work in her community making her fabulous teas and how they bless others~Heather Video

Herbalist Spotlight-Jess

I was blessed to get some input from fellow herbalist Jess.
I loved her encouraging discussion about walking the path and learning as you go.
It reminded me so much of how we need to take steps to get ANYWHERE and not be afraid to take them or to make a blunder now and then.



Jess is a 28 year old female, partnered, and mother of a 2 and a half year old son.
Jess lives her herbal life in South West Wisconsin in the Kickapoo Valley.
I asked her about her introduction into herbs and here is her story.


As a college student I was employed at a food cooperative. I spent hours
perusing the bottles of tinctures and other herbal wares, not knowing what
a majority of the plants looked like or even were. I felt intrigued and
called to learn more but did not have the faintest idea where to begin!
Probably a common predicament for many people first called to a craft.
Attendance at childbirth as a doula also sparked my interest in herbs,
childbearing women, and kids. Radical politics and an interest in
self-help health care, in my mind, lead naturally into a communion with
herbs and wild foods. Meanwhile back at the co-op a brochure for an
herbal conference at the Rocky Mountain School for Botanical Studies
arrived. I needed to go! A friend and I road tripped from central
Wisconsin to Colorado, to spend two days in herbal heaven. I listened to
amazing teachers, and saw people drinking these luscious herbs in quart
jars. Hmmm later in a workshop I learned about these nourishing
infusions per Susun Weed and I couldn't wait to make them myself. That
fall was transformation, I collected comfrey leaves, and dandelion roots
and ordered a couple pounds of nettles. It felt like a journey from
eyeing up the tinctures bottles to actually tasting and preparing herbs.
After some years of smoky bars and college life herbs were a breath of
fresh air, literally for sure!
Jess was 22 at the time.


Jess further shares about some influences along her herbal path. This is what she says about that.
Susun Weed and the Wise Woman Tradition was my introduction to herbs and I
hold those beliefs dear. Books and writings by Matthew Wood have added
depth to my understanding of people and plants. I admire Rebecca
Hartman’s style on her blog The Herbwife's Kitchen; it appeals to my
straightforward sensibilities. Wilds foods enthusiast and author Steve
Brill inspires me. I've been studying with Aviva Romm and am awed by her
dedication to her students and general presentation of herbal medicine. I
love the herbal zines I've picked up over the years too, reading other
peoples experiences with plants. Anyone who is grounded and assisting
their community to be participants in their health care gets me excited.
And of course Nature herself, her work has guided and taught me
immensely.


I was curious as to some of Jess' favortir methods of herbal applications and she shares this thought with us.

Adding fresh plants into cooking is delicious and one of my favorite ways
of using herbs. Standard brews or nourishing infusions are a regular
fixture on the counter. I most often use water based preparations, teas
and decoctions, but like to keep the pantry full of all sorts of
concoctions like tinctures, oils, honey, and salves.


Some of the events that have encouraged and shaped Jess are reflected in this statement.

Within a couple of months I saw Susun Weed twice in 2002 and those events
propelled me into plant medicine. Honesty and nourishment stick out in my
mind as something I carry on from those lectures.



Some of her community herbal work is teaching medicine making classes at a Free School. Mostly Jess' work
with the public is impromptu, occurring on playdates or over tea in her
home. He would like to offer specific herbal classes to birth workers
such as doulas and midwives, someday.
She offers consults with friends and family but does not currently advertise as such.


Jess states, I love bringing super star teachers to my area to speak!



How can people contact you to find out more about what you offer locally, Jess?
Email is great: pinkpants@riseup.net



Jess, Do you have a vision for your work in the future or are you seeing how it
unfolds?

Sharing the outdoors and medicine making with my son is at the moment
central to my vision as an herbalist. In the future, I would love to work
in a cooperative setting with other herbalists and offer barter or sliding
scale classes and services. Continue to network and meet other grassroots
herbalists. I want to continue to teach people skills to make their own
medicines and ID plants.


I asked Jess to leave us with one word of wisdom and she shares this very encouraging thought.

I used to get hung up on finding the right or best way to make herbal
preparations. I would decide to make something and then obsess over the 6
different ways I could make it, but now I revile in experimenting and
making errors. It has expanded my understanding of plants and taken
some pressure off; it’s supposed to be fun after all!

Jesse Wolf Hardin

With permission I share this interview that came through the Anima Blog.

Anima....I leave open an opportunity in my life, that if I should go this year, so shall it be.
A place in the wilderness of New Mexico...those that know me know that alone makes me swoon. Yet Kiva Rose and I have become better acquainted and as I have become closer to her, I feel too I have become closer to Loba, Jesse and Rhiannon, Kiva's wee one.
I have posted here before the events of the summer that will be happening this year, but I will copy it here again with their own words on thier blog.


We invite and welcome your participation in any of the following workshops and gatherings held at Anima’s river canyon, an ancient place of power deep in the mountains of the enchanted Southwest…

5 hrs. N.E. of the Tucson airport, or 4.5 hrs. S.W. of Albuquerque.
And please copy and forward this invite to your friends!

Anima Wilderness Learning Center & Medicine Woman Tradition
SUMMER EVENTS 2008
(by donation)



May 22-27: The Wild Women’s Gathering
A six day event for women only, with a focus on primitive camping, interaction with the natural world and personal rewilding: learning to trust our senses, instincts and needs – and to heed our callings and live our dreams regardless of constraints, norms, fears and habits.



June 12-17: The Woman Spirit Gathering
Another six day women’s event, a memory-making celebration of the spirit of womanhood, dedicated to self nourishment, sisterly sharing and sweet savoring – with inspiring teaching circles, wonderful outdoor feasts, swimming, singing and riverside dancing!





July 3-6: The Shaman’s Path Intensive
For men as well as women, a four day long workshop imparting insights and techniques for heightening awareness, connecting with inspirited nature, exploring alternate realities, instigating ecstatic states, developing our powers to affect events, and defining and fulfilling our individual most-meaningful purpose.



Aug 1-6: The Medicine Woman Gathering
Six days of presentations and discussions, plant walks and medicine making – for women who feel called to a healer’s life of intense awareness and personal responsibility. The Medicine Woman Tradition defines healing as contributing to wholeness and balance… of our selves, of others, and of the living world we are a part of.



Aug 29 -Sep 1: The Wild Foods Weekend
Four days of learning to identify, gather, preserve and deliciously prepare a wide number of the wild native foods of the mountainous West and Southwest – increasing observation skills, self confidence and our ability to survive, while helping us connect deeper to the natural world and cycles of life that we are each a natural part of.

For more information, or for Registration Forms that you can download, please go to the Anima Events page at:
www.animacenter.org

Anima Center also offers Retreats with meals in riverside cabins, Vision Quests, personal Counsel, resident Internships and Apprenticeships, and empowering Correspondence Courses including the Way Of Heart, Shaman and Medicine Woman paths. There is no set charge for any of the various opportunities, services, courses and events… only a suggested, sliding scale donation.


Now onto Jesse-Feel free to copy and share the following new interview with Wolf by Karin Casey, conducted in March 2008)

Casey: Over the years your books and articles have inspired readers with pieces on everything from sense of place to the power of the feminine, and from shamanism for the 21st Century to alternative healing. I notice that your words all seem to evoke something more real and intimately experienced, and the concepts you teach seem to all call to be experienced, manifest and acted on. When you describe something as common as water, it is in a way that inspires us to make it more real in our lives.

Hardin (smiling): Ahhhhh… to really taste it next time we have a cup as it passes the tongue and cools the throat, to intensely notice the heat and patter of the next shower rather than thinking only about the day ahead, to tune in to the patterns of local weather as the air thickens with moisture or thins and leaves the ground and plants wishing for more, and thus to act to conserve it out of a personal knowing and whole-body connection. Language can distract, numb and beguile, such as in the case of a despot’s rewriting of history, a television pundit’s spin, superficial conversation, shallow entertainment, and even the often self critical thoughts and monotonous prattle of our minds. But language can just as well be honest and meaning-full, relevant and timely, not only educating and evoking but eliciting and compelling.

Casey: I like your concept of words and ideas as “opportunities to powerfully change our lives, and to deliberately affect the world in our own personal and unique ways.”

Hardin: I love the literal “play” of words, but not as a substitute or stand-in for whole-being engagement and purposeful action. Ideally an article I write on food results in readers paying more attention to the integrity of the ingredients and the integrative and revealing process of cooking as well as of our meals’ oft neglected pleasures. The so-called silence between words is so alive with information-packed sounds, soul stirring music and telltale smells, visual and signals and satisfying smells, that language may best be reserved for conveying what matters most. This could be a lengthy conversation about how to remedy a problem, a well crafted poem that awakens us to pain or beauty… or a simple “Yum!” expertly expressing our delight in the food we’re eating, the inexplicably sweet scent of a baby’s head, or the sensation of a lover’s fingers on our neck.

Casey: You’re certainly someone who has “made it real,” starting with selling the engine out of your only vehicle and school-bus home in order to make the down payment on the Animá Center property some three decades ago. I’m fascinated by the restoring of a river canyon ecosystem in the mountainous Southwest, as well as your time turning it into a real wilderness learning center, but I’m even more excited that you’ve organized your insights and tools into online correspondence courses that seem to be affecting people around the world.

Hardin: It became clear shortly after arrival here that the insights arising through my work – and through this revealing place in particular – were meant to be shared with others… especially those of mixed ancestry, facing the complex challenges of current times. I did my best to serve that intention through articles and books, until finally compiling the understandings, stories, and practical and perceptual tools into a cohesive and accessible practice.

Casey: Your teachings are known as Animá (pronounced ani-mah). Were you thinking of Jung’s definition of the word, as the feminine aspect, or Freud’s associating it with the subconscious?

Hardin: The lower case “anima” comes from the Latin, and meant mind and soul inseparable. It speaks to both the condition of wholeness, and the vital force animating all things. You might think of it as life’s will to live… and the collective knowings of all life throughout time, housed in a system of interactions and interspecies, intergenerational relationships… much like human memories, which are recorded not in any one static place, but in the endlessly repeated firing codes of innumerable signaling synapses.

Casey: The practice of Animá, then, is being a conscious participant in all that.

Hardin: It’s being ever more conscious and courageous participants in the processes of sensitive being and responsive doing, willing and responsible co-creators of our realities and our world. Animá is the practice of awakening and enlivening, of healing and creating, of giving to others and giving back to the earth, of passionately applying ourselves to a meaningful purpose or cause while savoring and celebrating every detail and flavor, implication and lesson, reward and blessing. The “what” and “how” will be different for each person. Instead of telling people what to do, Animá provides tools for deep self exploration and broad interconnection, leaving it to each person to grow and actualize their most authentic selves, leaving them with the burden of choice, the instructive consequence, the benefits and the credit.

Casey: Your Correspondence Courses are divided into Path of Heart, Medicine Woman and Shaman paths.

Hardin: The Path Of Heart is built with self exploration, self-nourishment/self-love and finding one’s purpose at its core. The Shaman Path is for anyone wanting to intensely develop their awareness and other abilities, vision and wisdom, purpose and power. The Medicine Woman Paths are similar in intensity and goal to the Shaman Path, only with an emphasis on healing and medicinal herbs.

Casey: You and your partners also host a number of small wilderness based events there in New Mexico, including Medicine Woman gatherings in June and August, and a Shaman Path intensive over the July 4th weekend. Much of what you teach, in fact, draws from the lessons in nature. How important is it that in today’s world?

Hardin: Everyone could benefit from more time outside, apart from human construction and clatter, stimulated and informed, soothed by its wild balm. It places us in the context of those elements and forces that formed and birthed us, and that plead and prompt us in our dreams. It’s not just a more peaceful setting, but a glimpse of our larger corporal as well as energetic selves, the evolving whole of which we are each an inseparable extension, agent and part. We can contact that larger being and knowing through trips to wilderness sanctuaries and ancient “places of power” like the Animá Center, through time in nearby state lands and parks, but also by close attention to and interaction with a backyard garden, a personable house plant or visiting songbird on the sill.

Casey: So how does the practice of Animá help those of us who spend most of every month working and tending to families in the city?

Hardin: Animá principles and qualities like self knowledge, heightened awareness, discernment, intuition, empowerment and commitment are as important to an urban lifestyle, as to any other. Maybe more so. Whether in a city or out in the country, the quest for each aware being is to be a student to experience and instinct. To plumb the depths of our authentic selves with all the attendant abilities, challenges, needs and desires. To utilize our gifts in service to self, others, and earth… to justice, truth and beauty. To make every moment a decisive moment, and act accordingly. To trust our visions and live our dreams. To find and fulfill our most meaningful purpose. To taste every bite of food, cry and laugh freely, run barefoot through the wet grass, and let no butterfly go by unnoticed.

Casey: And we thank you for that!

———–

Jesse Wolf Hardin is the author of over 500 published articles and 5 books including Gaia Eros (‘04), with multiple entries in The Encyclopedia Of Nature & Religion (‘05). His work has been praised for its artful blending of ecological awareness, personalized spirituality and self-growth, by luminaries as diverse as Gary Snyder, Edward Abbey, the Buddhist Joanna Macy, and the renowned musician Paul Winter. According to the author Terry Tempest Williams it is “only through the power, strength, integrity, and courage of people such as Hardin that our society will be able to change its direction.” His vision is luminous, an intimate yet comprehensive view of life in all its forms and interactions. The Animá practices that he and his partners teach, invites ecstasy and contentment as much as it encourages responsibility, meaningful purpose and action. For information on their courses, go to www.animacenter.org. A complete history of the Animá Center has been posted at www.animacenter.org/blog

-Karin Casey, March 2008

Herbalist Spotlight~Lyn Ayre

I borrowed this picture from one of Lyn's website and the caption was that she was photo'd with her PHD.

Sharing an herbalist that loves working with perfumery as well was fitting for this week. Thank you Lyn.





Subject: Lyn E. Ayre, Ph.D.



Age: 56



Gender: Female



Marital status: married



Children: three grown children-ages 35, 36, 37; and six grandchildren ages

2-18.5 years.



Do you remember what was going on in your life that lead you to herbs?

I was living in rural British Columbia with my first husband and our two kids.

Self-sufficiency was the necessary life-style in that situation back in 1972. We

had an extensive garden including many culinary and medicinal herbs. I learned a

great deal about the effects of herbs on the body as I added them to some of my

favourite recipes.



How old were you at that time?

I was 21 years old at that time.



Can you share some of the work that has most influenced you? Such as books,

blogs, video, and lectures.



Until I enrolled in the Heart of Herbs Master Herbalist course, I had no formal

education. I’d just been growing and using the herbs I always had such as:

Rosemary, Sage, Marjoram, Thyme, Basil, Fennel, Bay, Calendula, Chamomile,

Cleavers, Dandelion, Garlic, Ginger, Lemon Balm, Peppermint, Spearmint,

Raspberry leaf, Red Clover, and Yarrow.



I’d also read many books on the subject of herbs and anatomy, as follows, and

all of them helped educated me and made me want to learn more:



The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs Jiri Stodola and Jan Volak

The New Healing Herbs Michael Castleman

The Pill Book Guide to Natural Medicines Michael Murry

The Botanical PharmacyHeather Boon

The Complete Guide to Herbal MedicinesCharles Fetrow & Juan Avila

The Healing Spirit of Plants Clare Harvey & Amanda Cochrane

The Herbal Drugstore Linda B. White and Steven Foster

The Naturally Clean Home Karyn Siegel-Maier

Healing Herbal Teas Brigitte Mars

Healing with the Herbs of Life Lesley Tierra

Atlas of Anatomy-Know Your Body Emmett Keffee, MD

Traditional Herbal Remedies Michael Howard



When making plant medicine, are you drawn to any particular method?

When I collect herbs, I chant Om to the Mother plant. I give thanks to Gaia as

she is my earth Mother who takes care of every one of my physical needs

including my medicine. Source looks after my spiritual and energetic needs. Then

I dry the herbs in my food dehydrator and either tincture the material or infuse

it in oil. Of course, it is used in the food recipes I create as well as

medicinal teas, baths, pot pourri, given as gifts, and other ways. When

tincturing, I will use both the measuring system and the Simpler Method.



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 was born and raised in the southwest corner of beautiful British Columbia. In

this beautiful land, we are surrounded by mountains, forests, and many varieties

of wild life. The Fraser River runs through our area only a few blocks away, and

the Pacific Ocean is nearby. This wild beauty has consistently captured my

heart. I’ve always experienced a heart-swell when I look at the plant life

around me. I’ve talked to plants and sang to them my whole life.

My most memorable herbal event to date is the discovery of Calendula in 2002. My

Spiritual Mentor of 26 years passed away in September 2001. As we were leaving

her property for the last time, my husband reached down and took a couple of

handfuls of seeds from one of her plants and stuck them in his pocket. We didn’t

know what it was, we only wanted something of hers to live on with us.

We planted these seeds in early spring. When the flowers bloomed, our neighbour

identified them as Calendula. I did research on this beautiful plant and began

to make Calendula Balm in 2002. I made ten jars and those same first customers

keep coming back for more. Each year, when the plants set seed, I give some away

to whomever is my student at that time. Calendula plants are now growing all

over the world and Louise Campbell Silver lives on. Her affect on my life was

incredibly deep and lasting. I will never forget her.



Where are you located?

Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada



Do you work with the public and could you describe your work? such as: Do you

teach classes?

I do work with the public and I do teach classes but in Energy Healing and

Natural Perfumery. I don’t teach herbal classes just yet as I want to first

graduate from the Master Level course and another herbal course I’m taking in

person this fall of 2008. In this class, we go out into the bush and do some

wildcrafting and plant identification, bringing back the plants to Langara

College and making medicine.



Do you offer consultations?

It is my plan to do herbal consultation when I graduate. I have been doing them

on an informal basis over the years, doing lots of research for particular

cases. I look forward to broadening my scope of practice.



Do you travel for herbal work?

Not at this time.



How can people contact you to find out more about what you offer, calendar of

events, blogs, weed walks, etc?

I have two web sites and two blogs to do with energy healing and natural

perfumery. They are:

Lyn Ayre

Inner Journal

Scent of Nature

Coeurdespritnaturalperfume

Do you have a vision for your work in the future or are you seeing how it

unfolds?

For over thirty years, I have been using herbs, that I have grown myself, for

cleaning products, health and beauty aids, food, first aid, and many other

reasons. I also use several over-the-counter herbs when I have an acute

situation. I have peace of mind when using herbal remedies, as I know what is in

the product and how it will affect my health.



By learning more about herbs, going deeper into the botany, chemistry, wild

crafting, and increasing my knowledge and experience of other certified organic

herbs that I have not grown myself, I hope to be able to help myself even more

so I will be really healthy. Eventually, I want to have a consulting practice

and help people physically as well as energetically.



Some of the personal solutions I am working towards are stabilizing my blood

sugar, eliminating cravings for sweets, coming to my idea weight, better memory,

deeper sleep, and more stamina. I am very confident that I will succeed. I’ve

been amazed by what I have read so far and I’m deep into a learning curve that

will take me to my ultimate goal of having a deeper understanding of the Heart

of Gaia.



There are many ‘jobs’ that a I could be suited for: growing and distributing

herbs; teaching about herbs; taking interested folks on herb walks, lecturing

about herbs, writing about herbs; owning/running a herb store; doing herbal

consultations; and working in a herb store. There may be others that I haven’t

thought of yet.



My plan is to do what I always do with that which I learn and that is to write,

teach, and help others via consultations. My husband has come on board with me

and will be expanding our herb garden this year. We have a good-sized order

pending for live plants and organic seeds. We are always interested in seeing

where Spirit will lead us next.



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?

I am a writer so it is unlikely I can do this in one word.

What I would like to convey is to be ever-curious; find out all you can about

the herbs you are interested in. Don’t skim over the contra-indications, rather

fully learn those, too. Herbalism is the world of possibilities: to overcome

chronic health situations, for health maintenance, for safe bath and beauty

products, for a clean home environment, and for a nutritious way to eat. The

possibilities are indeed endless.



I am so grateful to have you participating in this project I know you will

inspire others with your deep appreciation, knowledge and love of herbalism.

You are so welcome. Thanks so much for allowing me to share my love of herbs.

Herbalist Spotlight-The wonderful Ms Tina Sams of the Essential Herbal

~*~*~*~*~HERBALIST SPOTLIGHT-Tina Sams~*~*~*~*~*



I really admire this herbal sister. She is doing such a great work in the herbal world, not with fancy glossy, intangible, expensive journalism, but with real down to earth community publications. This is the only publication I seem to read all the way through and every issue brings me wisdom, and a sense of belonging to a greater group of people that love herbs as much as me. Either we are all off our rockers together, or a movement is coming together to make accessible the ancient traditional art of healing herbs.

I bring to you the Goddess of The Essential Herbal Magazine, Tina Sams.

Well let's see... I'm a 52 year old divorced woman, raising a 17 year old daughter. Those are the facts. In my head, I'm about 27. Not physically - oh no. Physically I am a fluffy little old lady. The mirror is not my friend (it's so negative!), and I manage to avoid it pretty well.

I have a long-term, long-distance relationship with the sweetest man on earth. That seems about perfect right now. It allows me space to work and raise this kid, while still giving me emotional support and love when the going gets rough.





Do you remember what was going on in your life that lead you to herbs?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We lived with my grandparents when I was young. My grandfather came from a long line of mountain people who farmed. He knew plants. He didn't know the real names for them, but he had a relationship with them. He knew how they smelled and tasted, what they were good for, and where to find them. We would go for walks, and he would offer small samples, crushing the leaves to give me a whiff. We picked berries, roots and leaves to take home. My grandmother was a thoroughly modern woman, embracing anything new and turning up her nose at the old ways. It embarrassed her, I think, when we brought things home so it was our good fortune that my mom would bake the berries into pies, the black walnuts into cakes and cookies, or brew us teas from the meadow mint.

I adored my grandfather and he died too young. Always when I am outside, shifting around fallen leaves to look for new growth or breaking a twig to get a scent for identification, I think about him. He gave me the interest and the ability. He showed me how exciting it can be to find the first nettle of the year, a new stand of elderberry...

And then I grew up. It seemed so cool to live in the city with all the hustle and bustle. I wanted to be a career girl, and make my way into the world. So I found a great apartment in a culturally rich section of town and began that trek. It started to become clear that every couple of weeks I would get edgy. If I didn't get out into the woods often enough, it started "the itch".

As I climbed the corporate ladder, my sister married a man who had/has a tree farm. She gardened and canned and preserved. She taught me more. We learned about perennial flowering plants and soon branched out into culinary herbs for gardening.

During this time I married and wanted to start a family. For nearly a decade we struggled with miscarriages, an ectopic pregnancy, and infertility. Finally my daughter was born, and suddenly the whole corporate world lost its shimmer.

My sister and I decided that it would be great fun to open an herb shop at the Renaissance Festival nearby. I figured that in 16 weeks of part-time work, I could make enough money to quit my "real" job. That was not even close to reality, but the job fell by the way-side anyway. It was too good to be home with my little Molly, and we learned to stretch a dollar. Soon we opened a full-time herb shop with an upstairs room where the kids could play. We stayed there for many years, growing a wholesale soap business at the same time.



Can you share some of the work that has most influenced you? Such as books, blogs, video and lectures.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The single most important book in my journey has been "Billy Joe Tatum's Wild Food Field Guide and Cookbook". It brought everything together for me, and began my passion for foraging.

Learning about herbs has not been a typical trip for me. When we started at the Renaissance Fair, we expected our customers to want culinary herbs. Period. That was SO not the case! Our customers were well versed in medicinal herbs, and we made copious notes each week. We'd take them home and study up on what they'd requested or taught us. Our customers have always been the true inspiration for our learning. That seems backwards to most people, but it was a strong push.

My sister and I also started in business before the influence of the Internet. At the time, there were lots of good books, and there were lots of GREAT herb conferences. We would travel to the conferences and hear renowned herbal speakers. We met and talked to the people from whose books we learned. It was impossible to leave a conference where you'd rubbed elbows with great herbalists and hundreds of enthusiasts and business people, without having lots of new information.

Additionally, we are within easy driving distance of The Rosemary House, (therosemaryhouse.com) a wonderful herb shop in Mechanicsburg PA. The founder, Bertha Reppert, is quoted and/or wrote sections in many of the herb books that were available in the 70's, 80's, and 90's. She was a charming woman who loved to share what she knew. Her daughter Susanna is very much like her mother in that respect, and I am fortunate enough to consider her a friend. The shop is celebrating their 40th year in May. They have incredible speakers and workshops. Most recently, they hosted a day-long seminar with Rosemary Gladstar, and in recent years have had workshops with Jeanne Rose, David Winston, and Susun Weed - among many others.

When making plant medicine, are you drawn to any particular method?

The simple answer is - whatever is available at the moment! Truly, it is just like cooking for me. There aren't any rules. I love the concept of "foods as medicine", and see every plant as an herb. At the same time, I would encourage people to try not to get hung up on exacting quantities or specific methods.

In other words, when I make a tincture, I put "some" of the herb into a jar with some alcohol to cover. That alcohol might be vodka if it is in the house, but it might just as easily be rum or brandy or even whiskey or gin. I use what I have.

The same goes for salves or balms. What kind of oil do I have handy? If the balm comes out too "loose", it just takes a little longer to soak in.

When our ancestors made preparations from plants, they used what was available, and it worked. Not only that, but each plant is different based on the nutrients in the soil where it grew, the quality of sunlight, amount of stress placed on the plant by amounts of rain or cold... There just isn't any "exact" when you are working with plants that you find for your own work.

Now soap is another story. The wholesale business is now my sister's, and I own the magazine and help out with the soap. That IS exacting, because it isn't for our own private use. When making something for sale, there is a need to be precise and specific.



Do you have a most memorable event, conference, or one on one experience with any of our herbal fore mothers and forefathers or any other key person used in your path of herbalism? And how has that influenced you today?

Well, without being too specific, there are herbalists and herb companies who attempt to convince people that only THEIR product will work for a given purpose. That has guided a lot of the way I look at things. It is more important to empower the individual to create their own herbal products. I resent it when I see that kind of advertising, and absolutely refuse to do business with those types of operators.

When we opened the shop we decided to carry Essiac. If you've ever looked into this product, you'll see that nearly everyone selling it suggests that only THEY have the true recipe. So we spent a full day at the Natural Products Expo questioning people about why we should carry their product. Finally at the end of the day, a vendor answered by saying, "well, I use the best ingredients possible, but there is nothing different about it. There is only one recipe." We proceeded to carry his full line of herbal extracts, because that was the truth.

That doesn't really answer your question, though.



Where are you located?

South Central PA Lancaster County, to be exact. Land of the Amish. This is really a spectacular place. Every time I travel, I am so glad to get back to the rolling hills, farm stands, and verdant fields of home.

Do you work with the public and could you describe your work? such as:
Do you teach classes?

My sister and I have taught many, many herbal classes. Soapmaking demos, herbal first aid, weed walks, and lately distillation are some of our favorites. We love to do talks together and bounce off each other.

Do you travel for herbal work?

Not enough. Occasionally we'll travel to a conference or a really good herb faire, but mostly I'm a homebody. In fact, doing the magazine is so much fun. I get to work in my yard!

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

Through the website - www.essentialherbal.com

We teach a few classes each year at both www.therosemaryhouse.com and at www.herbsfromthelabyrinth.com , both of which are herb shops in our area.



Do you have a vision for your work in the future or are you seeing how it unfolds? I see the magazine as a community. Sometimes I picture the readers as a huge group of friends who gather at the kitchen table with a mug of hot tea, sharing recipes and techniques. I love what I do.


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?

More than anything, people need to learn to trust themselves. Reading and studying are fabulous, but in the end it comes down to knowing that you already know this stuff. It is part of us. It isn't some foreign, scary thing... it is part of who we are now and who we have always been.

Don't ever be afraid to try making something. This is nature... if it doesn't work, you can always compost it :-).

Sarah Head of Springfield Sanctuary is our Herbalist Spotlight

Sarah Head is a wife of 30 years, and mother of 2 sons 25,23 and 20 year old daughter.

She is a 52 year old herbalist residing in

Solihull/Birmingham and Upper Slaughter in the Cotswolds (UK) and is involved in good works out there. I asked Sarah a few questions and here is her story to share with you all.





Do you remember what was going on in your life that lead you to herbs?



Sarah- When I was a teenager, I read all the Elizabeth Goudge books, most of which involved herbs in some shape or form, although I didn't really recognise them as such. I wanted to grow them, but the only herbs my mother used (despite being a farmer's wife) were parsley and mint. She kept an iron grip on what was cooked in the household and would not introduce anything new. (Still won't!) In a compromise, I did buy a small rosemary plant, but it disappeared one night. We bought two more plants and then we found a dead badger by the side of the third plant. We surmised he must have been ill and had eaten the previous two plants. In 1995 we went on the Internet and I met someone online and started writing a fantasy story together about an 8th century Cornish healer. I wanted to know what she would have used to help people so I joined the Herb Society and subscribed to Henriette's medicinal herb email list and started growing my own herbs and playing with them. In 1999, I decided I needed to learn how to use energy healing since my Cornish healer also used that on her patients. My local healing group had an article in the paper that week, so I joined them and the National Federation of Spiritual Healers and developed my healing skills. How old were you at that time? In 1995 I was 39

Can you share some of the work that has most influenced you? Such as books, blogs, video and lectures.

Sarah- It has mostly been the discussions of others using herbs. I have an extensive library of herbal books. I started off with David Hoffman, progressed to Matthew Wood and now Susan Weed's menopause excited me when I read it. I read Kiva Rose, Henriette, Darcy and Rebecca's blogs and they have all given me an extra insight into what to try, how to think about things differently, really useful recipes. I do use them as a reference as much as my books. I work full time and haven't had the energy nor the money to take three years out to train full time as a medical herbalist, nor do I want to take clinical responsibility for other people's care. I do want to encourage others to grow their own herbs and play with them.





When making plant medicine, are you drawn to any particular method?



Sarah- I dry herbs for teas, make fresh plant tinctures and vinegars and make fresh and dry double infused herbal oils and salves.





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?



Sarah- I went to an oil and salves workshop with Christopher Hedley. It was four hours of stories about his practice which I have never forgotten. He is one of the great giants of our herbal elders and such a wonderful man!





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



Sarah- Yes, check my website
Springfield Sanctuary




Do you have a vision for your work in the future or are you seeing how it unfolds?



Sarah- Not sure. I've increased the number of workshops I hold this year to include 4 over the winter which I've held in my kitchen. This has enabled people who aren't able to travel to the Cotswolds to experience herbs and try things out. The numbers I reach are very small, but people seem to enjoy what I do. I've been told I'm doing the right thing, so I just have to wait and see how things develop.

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?



Sarah- You will never really know a herb until you have grown it, harvested it and played with it, discovering what it can offer you. Don't rely on books or what you read on the web alone, get your hands dirty! You don't need a great deal to learn about herbs and then when you are confident in what you know and realise what you don't know, to then share that knowledge with others.


I am so happy Sarah shared with us her work over in the UK.