CORE FACULTY
KAREN AGUIAR
HERBAL MEDICINE MAKER
KAREN HAS BEEN MAKING HERBAL AND MUSHROOM MEDICINES SINCE 1995, OPERATING AN HERBAL PHARMACY FOR ONCOLOGIST, DR. LOIS JOHNSON AND THEN RUNNING A SMALL TINCTURE COMPANY FOR 20 YEARS. SHE DRAWS UPON THE HISTORY AND TRADITIONS OF THE APOTHECARY, STILLROOM AND KITCHEN TABLE TO INFORM HER UNDERSTANDING OF MEDICINE MAKING WHILE WEAVING IN APPLICATIONS FROM OUR ‘MODERN’ PERSPECTIVE. MOSTLY, SHE ENJOYS GETTING HER HANDS TURMERIC YELLOW OR LEMON BALM GREEN ‘PLAYING’ WITH OUR ALLIES OF THE PLANT AND MUSHROOM KINGDOMS. . NEWLY RETIRED AS AN ORGANIZER OF THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA WOMEN’S HERBAL SYMPOSIUM FOR 25 YEARS, SHE IS OPEN TO THE CONTINUED FRUITING OF A LIFE LIVED FULLY IN THIS HERBAL COMMUNITY. SHE HAS BEEN A STAFF MEMBER AT CALIFORNIA SCHOOL OF HERBAL STUDIES SINCE 1998, AND TEACHES MEDICINE MAKING AND MEDICINAL MUSHROOMS AT MANY HERB SCHOOLS AND CONFERENCES INCLUDING THE BERKELEY HERBAL CENTER (PREVIOUSLY OHLONE HERBAL CENTER), GATHERING THYME, TERRA VITA HERBAL SYMPOSIUM, BREITENBUSH HERBAL CONFERENCE, FRONTIER HERBS HERBAL CONFERENCE, SONOMA COUNTY MYCOLOGICAL MUSHROOM CAMP, AND DENVER MYCOLOGICAL SOCIETY
KATE AUGUST
DREAMER, A LOVER OF PLANTS, COMMUNITY AND THE OUTDOORS
KATE AUGUST IS A BAY AREA NATIVE AND ADMIRER OF THE NATURAL WORLD. SHE BELIEVES THAT PEOPLE, LIKE PLANTS, ARE STRONGEST ON THE EDGE OF DIVERSITY; THAT OUR EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT IS REFLECTED IN THE HEALTH OF OUR INTERNAL ECOSYSTEMS. HEALTHY FOODS AND HERBAL MEDICINES SHOULD BE INCORPORATED INTO DAILY PRACTICES.
KATE AUGUST IS A LICENSED ACUPUNCTURIST & CERTIFIED CLINICAL HERBALIST. SHE IS STAFF FACULTY AT THE CALIFORNIA SCHOOL OF HERBAL STUDIES AND ADJUNCT TEACHER AT BERKELEY HERBAL CENTER.
FOUNDER OF AUGUST BITTERS, AN HERBAL BASED BITTERS COMPANY, KATE TEACHES MEDICINE MAKING WORKSHOPS AROUND THE BAY AREA. WHEN NOT CRAFTING UP DELICIOUS CONCOCTIONS, YOU CAN FIND HER PLAYING IN NATURE, PREFERABLY BY THE WATER’S EDGE. WWW.AUGUSTBITTERS.COM
BRYAN BOWEN
MSC CLINICAL HERBALIST
BRYAN LIKES TO HAVE ONE HAND IN SCIENCE AND THE OTHER IN THE EARTH. AT CSHS, HE IS THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR OF INTERMEDIATE COMMUNITY HERBALIST PROGRAM, CORE FACULTY, HEAD GARDEN STEWARD AND RUNS THE GARDEN APPRENTICE PROGRAM. HE HAS DEDICATED THE LAST 18 YEARS TO MEDICINAL PLANTS THROUGH ECOLOGICAL FARMING & GARDENING, MEDICINE MAKING, BOTANY, PHYSIOLOGY, CLINICAL SKILLS AND THEORIES OF HERBAL MEDICINE. BRYAN ENJOYS SEEING CLIENTS AND FINDS INSPIRATION IN PEOPLE, PLANTS AND THE RHYTHMS OF NATURE. HE SEES CLIENTS AT FORESTVILLE WELLNESS CENTER AND HEALTHCARE FOR HOMELESS. BRYAN PRIDES HIMSELF IN MEDICINE MAKING, WHERE HE MAINTAINS A 160-HERB PHARMACY. AND, HE IS THE FOUNDER OF BAY HERBALISM, A MOBILE CLINIC AND SCHOOL, DEDICATED TOWARDS CLINICAL EDUCATION AND SUPPORTING THE HEALTH OF THE SONOMA COUNTY COMMUNITY.
JEN BREDESEN
HERBALIST, CMT
JEN BREDESEN BRINGS OVER 2 DECADES OF EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH PLANTS INTO HER TEACHING. SHE WEAVES HERBALISM, NUTRITION, BODYWORK & AYURVEDA INTO HER CLINICAL PRACTICE IN SEBASTOPOL. JEN IS PASSIONATE ABOUT HERBAL FIRST AID AND IS A PART OF THE HERBAL 1ST AID COLLECTIVE MASHH/MEDICINE FOR ALL SEEKING HEALTH & HEALING. SHE HAS OFFERED HERBAL 1ST AID SUPPORT IN NATURAL DISASTER RELIEF WORK TO VICTIMS, FIRST RESPONDERS & COMMUNITY LEADERS; AS WELL AS BRINGING HERBAL FIRST AID TO EVENTS & FESTIVALS, INCLUDING ORGANIZING THE NCWHS WELLNESS TENT FOR A DECADE. JEN LOVES TO CREATE & NOURISH HER SELF, FAMILY & COMMUNITY IN THE KITCHEN, WORK WITH MICRO BIOME RESTORATION VIA FERMENTATION, AND IS A PIONEER & CONSULTANT IN BREWING HERBAL BEERS. SHE ALSO LOVES TO SUPPORT PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS & TEACHERS AS THEY NOURISH & GUIDE THE NEXT GENERATIONS, IN ORGANOLEPTIC HERBAL WAYS. SHE CONTINUES TO LEARN FROM HER ROOTS IN NORWEGIAN, PRUSSIAN, CHEROKEE, CHOCTAW & CELTIC LINEAGE.
LINDSEY BURNELL
BA PSYCHOLOGY + ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES, HERBALIST, ASTRONOMER
LINDSEY’S LOVE OF PLANTS BEGAN AT AN EARLY AGE, CLIMBING OLD GROWTH OLIVE TREES AND HELPING HER PARENTS TEND THEIR BEAUTIFUL FOOD AND FLOWER GARDENS. SHE STUDIED PSYCHOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AT SONOMA STATE UNIVERSITY WHERE SHE DISCOVERED HER FASCINATION OF THE CONNECTION BETWEEN HUMANS AND PLANTS. LINDSEY ATTENDED CSHS FROM 2007-2010 DEEPENING HER LOVE, REVERENCE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE PLANT WORLD. FOR OVER A DECADE SHE HAS CO-ORGANIZED THE FIRST AID AND WELLNESS TENT FOR THE NORTHERN CA WOMEN’S HERBAL SYMPOSIUM AS WELL AS SEVERAL OTHER EVENTS, FESTIVALS AND LOCAL FIRE DISASTER RESPONSE, BRINGING ACUTE HERBAL CARE TO HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE. SHE CURRENTLY ENJOYS TEACHING, STAR-GAZING, FARMING FOOD AND MEDICINE, SEEING CLIENTS, AND TENDING HER SMALL HERBAL BUSINESS. ARTEMISIAAPOTHECARY.COM
ISABELLA DECREDICO
IHERBALIST, MEDICINE MAKER & FORMULATOR, GARDENER.
ISABELLA BEGAN HER JOURNEY INTO HERBALISM WITH HER HANDS IN THE SOIL. SINCE THEN, SHE HAS HAD A DIVERSE BACKGROUND WORKING IN HERBALISM FROM MEDICINAL GARDENS & FARMS, INTEGRATIVE HEALTH CLINICS, MANAGING HERBAL LABORATORIES, HERBAL SKINCARE PRODUCT MANUFACTURING, MEDICINE MAKING & PRODUCTION, PRODUCT FORMULATION, DISTILLATION, REGULATORY COMPLIANCE, CONSULTING, AND EDUCATION.
CURRENTLY SHE IS TEACHING MEDICINE MAKING FOR THE CALIFORNIA SCHOOL OF HERBAL STUDIES AS WELL AS OTHER ONLINE PROGRAMS AND POP-UP WORKSHOPS. SHE IS A PRODUCT DEVELOPER & CONSULTANT FOR HERBAL BUSINESSES, AND IS CO-OWNER OF EARTH ALLIES, AN HERBAL PRODUCT LINE & CLINICAL PRACTICE.
FOR HER, HERBALISM SUPPORTS US IN CONNECTING BACK TO OUR LINEAGE, TO THE EARTH, AND TO OUR CREATIVE EXPRESSION. HER DESIRE IS TO HELP INSPIRE AND GUIDE OTHERS TO THE SIMPLE AND DAILY WAYS OF CONNECTING WITH PLANTS AND OURSELVES. TRYEARTHALLIES.COM
GABRIELLE DOUCETTE-BOISSE
CSHS LAB MANAGER + MEDICINE MAKER
GABRIELLE COMES FROM A LINE OF HERBALISTS + MEDICINE MAKERS ON THE EAST COAST, WHERE SHE LEARNED TO WEAVE PLANT MEDICINE INTO HER DAILY LIFE. WHILE LIVING IN BOSTON SHE WORKED AS A PLANT BASED CHEF WITH A FOCUS ON FOOD AS MEDICINE AND INCORPORATING HERBS INTO FOOD. IN 2020 SHE MOVED TO SONOMA COUNTY TO FORMALLY STUDY HERBALISM AT CSHS. SHE IS NOW THE MEDICINE MAKER + LAB MANAGER FOR THE CALIFORNIA SCHOOL OF HERBAL STUDIES PHARMACY, AS WELL AS THE TEACHERS' ASSISTANT FOR THE ROOTS OF HERBALISM PROGRAM.
DAVID HOFFMANN
B. SC., F.N.I.M.H.
DAVID HAS BEEN A PHYTOTHERAPIST FOR 40 YEARS. HE IS THE AUTHOR OF 19 BOOKS, INCLUDING THE HOLISTIC HERBAL AND MEDICAL HERBALISM. HE IS ON THE ADVISORY BOARD OF THE AMERICAN BOTANICAL COUNCIL, A FOUNDING MEMBER AND PAST PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN HERBALIST GUILD AND IS ACTIVE IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL & PEACE MOVEMENTS.
ABI HUFF
COMMUNITY HERBALIST AND TRADITIONAL HEALER
ABI IS THE FOUNDER OF THE BLACK NETTLE BOTANICAL CO. WHICH IS HER BOTANICAL SELF CARE LINE UNDER THE STINGING NETTLE. SHE IS A PRACTICING COMMUNITY HERBALIST, AND TRADITIONAL HEALER. WITH A FOCUS ON EDUCATION, JUST TRANSITION, HEALING JUSTICE, AND EQUITY IN THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, HER WORK IS ROOTED IN HELPING HER STUDENTS, INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES BUILD RESILIENCY THROUGH SELF CARE, RADICAL HEALING, AND THE BUILDING OF RESPONSIBLE ALLIANCES, AND A DEEPER CONNECTION TO OUR PLANET.
TERRI JENSEN
HERBAL MEDICINE MAKER
TERRI HAS BEEN WORKING WITH BOTANICAL MEDICINES IN A VARIETY OF CAPACITIES FOR OVER 40 YEARS. SHE IS THE CSHS INSTRUCTOR WITH THE GREATEST SENIORITY! SHE IS ALSO THE CURRENT AND FOUNDING ORGANIZER OF THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA WOMEN’S HERBAL SYMPOSIUM.
ROBIN LANDER
HERBALIST, AROMATHERAPIST
ROBIN LANDER IS A CLINICAL AROMATHERAPIST, HERBALIST, INTUITION MEDICINE® PRACTITIONER, WELLNESS EDUCATOR, PRODUCT FORMULATOR, THERAPEUTIC PERFUMER, AND MOTHER. AS A SONOMA COUNTY NATIVE, SHE HAS WORKED AS A PRACTITIONER IN INTEGRATIVE HEALTH CLINICS, HELPED TRAIN STUDENTS IN CLINICAL HERBALISM, AND SERVED AS A CONSULTANT AND EDUCATOR FOR NURSES AT A LOCAL HOSPITAL. ROBIN HAS SPENT OVER 18 YEARS WITHIN THE NATURAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY AS AN INTERNATIONAL SOURCING SPECIALIST, FORMULATOR AND EDUCATOR, BRINGING TO MARKET OVER 40 AROMATHERAPY AND SKINCARE BLENDS. SHE IS A NAHA CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL AROMATHERAPIST® AND PROVIDES CONSULTING AND CUSTOM BLENDING SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS AND BODY CARE COMPANIES. DEDICATED TO THE HEALING MESSAGE OF THE PLANTS, SHE COMBINES AROMATHERAPY AND INTUITIVE ENERGY WORK IN HER CLINICAL PRACTICE, HELPING INDIVIDUALS RESTORE HARMONY IN MIND, BODY, AND SPIRIT.
REBECCA MAXFIELD
HERBALIST, BA, CO-DIRECTOR OF CSHS
REBECCA CAME TO SONOMA COUNTY 25 YEARS AGO TO STUDY AT CSHS. SHE LIVED WITH HER HUSBAND AND TWO CHILDREN ON THE LAND AT THE SCHOOL FOR 16 YEARS AND NOW LIVES IN SEBASTOPOL. SHE WORKED AS THE PRINCIPAL HERBAL MEDICINE MAKER AT SIMPLERS BOTANICALS FOR 8 YEARS AND NOW ENJOYS MAKING MEDICINE FOR THE CSHS PHARMACY AS WELL AS BEING THE DIRECTOR OF CSHS.
JASON MILLER
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATOR, CO-DIRECTOR OF CSHS
JASON HAS BEEN LIVING AND WORKING AT CSHS FOR OVER 25 YEARS. HIS CURRENTLY FOCUSES ON THE STEWARDSHIP AND MAINTENANCE OF EMERALD VALLEY. HIS COMMITMENT TO CSHS IS BASED ON A BELIEF THAT HERBALISM PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN BUILDING VIBRANT AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES.
DANIEL PINNEY
WILDERNESS GUIDE
DANIEL PINNEY IS OUR CAMPING TRIP OUTFITTER AND GUIDE. DANIEL HAS 40 YEARS EXPERIENCE LEADING TRIPS FOR CSHS, ANTIOCH COLLEGE AND PRIVATE GROUPS. HE BRINGS HIS PASSION FOR HIKING, BIRDING AND MUSIC AND LOVE OF THE OUTDOORS.
COLLEEN BINGHAM SOLIS
EDUCATOR, MEDICINE MAKER, AND FORMULATOR
COLLEEN BINGHAM SOLIS IS DEVOTED TO A LIFE DEFINED BY WHAT SHE FINDS GROWING IN THE SOIL AND FUELED BY SYNTHESIZING THESE ORGANIC COMPONENTS INTO ACCESSIBLE HEALING POTIONS FOR HUMANS. IN 2010, WITH A PASSION FOR ORGANIC SKIN CARE, COLLEEN MADE HER FIRST BATCH OF TOPICAL PRODUCTS, SIGNED UP FOR HER FIRST HERBAL STUDIES COURSE AND BEGAN HER JOURNEY AS A PRODUCT FORMULATOR AND HERBALIST. COLLEEN IS NOW A CERTIFIED HERBALIST, INSTRUCTOR AT THE CALIFORNIA SCHOOL OF HERBAL STUDIES, CONTRIBUTING WRITER AT THE HERBAL ACADEMY, FOUNDER OF THE BEAUTY BRAND POPPY BOTANICALS, AND HERBAL PRODUCT DEVELOPER AND CONSULTANT FOR COSMETIC COMPANIES NATIONWIDE. LINKS: COLLEENBINGHAM.COM POPPYBOTANICALS.COM
AUTUMN SUMMERS
HERBALIST, BA ETHNOBOTANY
FROM HER FIRST HERB CLASS OVER 35 YEARS AGO, AUTUMN HAS BEEN EXPLORING THE MANY FACETS OF HERBALISM WITH A FOCUS ON PLANT, SEAWEED AND MUSHROOM IDENTIFICATION AND USES AND GROWING MEDICINAL AND EDIBLE PLANTS. SHE IS PASSIONATE ABOUT SHARING THIS EMPOWERING KNOWLEDGE WITH OTHERS IN AN ENTHUSIASTIC, HANDS-ON WAY.
GUEST FACULTY
7SONG
CLINICAL HERBALIST
7SONG IS A CLINICAL HERBALIST, TEACHER, BOTANIST AND NATURALIST. HE IS THE DIRECTOR AND MAIN INSTRUCTOR OF THE NORTHEAST SCHOOL OF BOTANICAL MEDICINE. HE IS A FOUNDER AND PRACTICING HERBALIST AT THE ITHACA FREE CLINIC, AN INTEGRATIVE CLINIC PROVIDING FREE CONSULTATIONS AND HERBAL MEDICINE. AS A CLINICAL HERBALIST, HE PRACTICES AN INTEGRATIVE APPROACH WORKING ALONGSIDE CONVENTIONAL AND HOLISTIC PRACTITIONERS TO PROVIDE MULTIPLE HEALTHCARE AVENUES FOR PEOPLE’S NEEDS. HE ASPIRES TO MAKE HERBAL MEDICINE ACCESSIBLE, AFFORDABLE AND WITHIN THE REACH OF EVERYONE. SOME OF HIS GOALS AS A TEACHER IS TO HELP STUDENTS LEARN ACCURATE PLANT IDENTIFICATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS WHILE GATHERING PLANTS FOR MEDICINE. HE ALSO TEACHES CLINICAL AND COUNSELING SKILLS AND HOW HERBAL MEDICINE CAN OFFER PRIMARY AND ADJUNCT TREATMENTS FOR ACUTE AND CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS. 7SONG HAS BEEN ACTIVE IN HERBAL FIRST AID FOR MANY YEARS WORKING AT CLINICS, FIRST AID STATIONS AND AS A STREET MEDIC. ONE OF HIS HERBAL MEDICINE PASSIONS IS TRAVELING, GATHERING AND PREPARING THE HERBAL MEDICINES THAT HE USES IN HIS PRACTICE. HE ALSO TEACHES AT A NUMBER OF HERB SCHOOLS AND CONFERENCES IN THE US AND ABROAD. LOOK FOR HIM IN VARIOUS HABITATS TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OF THINGS THAT RUN, CRAWL, FLY OR PHOTOSYNTHESIZE. WEBSITE: 7SONG.COM. FACEBOOK: SEVENSONG, INSTAGRAM: 7SONGSEVENSONG
CRIS AMARILLAS
HERBALIST, PHD
CRIS FOUND HER PASSION AFTER ATTENDING CSHS ROOT PROGRAM IN 2010. SHE COMES FROM AN ANCESTRY THAT HEALED AND WORKED WITH PLANTS.SHE HAS WORKED AT TRADITIONAL MEDICINALS FOR THE LAST TEN YEARS IN BOTH THE QUALITY AND RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENTS. SHE HAS AN ACADEMIC BACKGROUND IN CHEMISTRY.
DEANNA BATDORFF
HERBALIST AND CLINICAL AROMATHERAPIST
DEANNA BATDORFF, A GENERATION-X CALIFORNIA NATIVE, IS A WHOLISTIC HEALTH DETECTIVE WITH OVER 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AS AN AYURVEDIC PRACTITIONER, LYMPHATIC MASSAGE SPECIALIST, NUTRITION COUNSELOR, WESTERN HERBALIST, AND CLINICAL AROMATHERAPIST. SHE SPECIALIZES IN READING THE PULSE, SPINE, FACE, SKIN, AND TONGUE AS PRIMARY ASSESSMENT TOOLS. ALL OF DEANNA’S TEACHINGS ARE ROOTED IN HER THREE FOUNDATIONAL PILLARS: LISTEN TO SELF THROUGH SYMPTOMS, THE RIGHT TO TAKE ACTION, AND ‘FOLLOW-THROUGH MEANS FEELING BETTER.
DEANNA HAS SEEN IT ALL. SOME 26 YEARS AGO, DEANNA FOUNDED AND ESTABLISHED A ‘BY DONATION’ AYURVEDIC WEEKLY CLINIC AND HAS THE ONLY MEDI-CAL/MEDI-CARE FUNDED AYURVEDIC CONSULTATION PROGRAM THROUGH THE WEST COUNTY HEALTH CENTERS. AS AN EDUCATOR WHO GAINED PERMISSION TO SHARE KNOWLEDGE FROM HER MENTORS IN INDIA AND BEYOND, DEANNA HAS ASSISTED OVER 250,000 INDIVIDUALS ON THEIR JOURNEY TO BETTER HEALTH THROUGH OWNING THEIR RIGHT TO 'SELF-CARE AS HEALTHCARE’—OFFERING AN IN-DEPTH UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THE BODY WORKS AND HOW TO BRING IT BACK TO A STATE OF ELEMENTAL BALANCE NO MATTER WHAT THE CIRCUMSTANCE, EVEN DURING END-OF-LIFE SACRED PASSAGES. HER WELL-EARNED WISDOM AND RADICAL TEACHINGS OFFER AN UPLIFTING AND EMPOWERING LOOK INTO HOW ELEMENTAL THEORY PRESENTS IN OUR 'DIS-EASE' AND HOW ONE CAN APPLY ELEMENTAL TRADITIONS FROM AROUND THE WORLD TO BRING UPON WELLNESS.
CYNTHIA BELEW
RN, MS, CNM
CYNTHIA BELEW IS A PROFESSOR IN THE SCHOOL OF NURSING AT UCSF AND HAS INTEGRATED HERBAL MEDICINE EXTENSIVELY IN HER PRACTICE AS A NURSE-MIDWIFE . SHE COMPLETED HER NURSING EDUCATION AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY AND RECEIVED HER NURSE-MIDWIFERY EDUCATION AND MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA/SAN FRANCISCO GENERAL HOSPITAL INTERDEPARTMENTAL NURSE-MIDWIFERY EDUCATION PROGRAM.
SARAH KATE BENJAMIN
HERBALIST, HOLISTIC CHEF
SARAH KATE BENJAMIN IS AN HERBALIST, HOLISTIC CHEF, AND COOKBOOK AUTHOR. AFTER BEING DIAGNOSED WITH CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME IN HER EARLY TWENTIES, SHE RELIED ON NOURISHING FOODS AND RESTORATIVE HERBS TO HEAL. SINCE THEN, SHE’S BEEN TEACHING KITCHEN HERBALISM AND HERBAL COOKING FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS. THROUGH BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH MEDICINAL PLANTS AND EVERYDAY FOODS, HER APPROACH TO HERBAL COOKING IS CENTERED IN INVITING PEOPLE TO SEE THEIR KITCHENS AS A SANCTUARY FOR HEALING AND CONNECTING DEEPER WITH THEMSELVES. FROM MEDICINAL BROTHS AND COMFORTING PORRIDGES TO ADAPTOGENIC SPICE BLENDS AND DIGESTIVE SUPPORTIVE DRESSINGS, HER GOAL IS TO MAKE HERBAL FOODS ACCESSIBLE AND SEAMLESS TO ANY KITCHEN PRACTICE. HER FIRST CO-AUTHORED BOOK, THE KOSMIC KITCHEN COOKBOOK, WAS RELEASED WITH ROOST BOOKS IN AUGUST OF 2020. SARAH LIVES IN SEBASTOPOL, CALIFORNIA WHERE SHE TEACHES ONLINE HERBAL COOKING CLASSES, ONE-ON-ONE CONSULTATIONS, AND A WEEKLY HERBAL RECIPE SUBSCRIPTION. YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT HER WORK AND GET IN TOUCH WITH HER AT @THEKOSMICKITCHEN ON IG.
SUSAN BLANC
HERBALIST AND NUTRITIONAL EDUCATOR
SUSAN BLANC IS AN HERBALIST AND NUTRITION EDUCATOR. SHE GRADUATED FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY WITH HIGHEST HONORS IN 1980, STUDIED HERBALISM FOR 6 YEARS WITH LOCAL AND NATIONAL EXPERTS, AND RECEIVED HER N.E. AND N.C. NUTRITION CERTIFICATION FROM BAUMAN COLLEGE. SUSAN OFFERS INDIVIDUAL CONSULTATIONS AT HER PRIVATE PRACTICE IN CASTRO VALLEY, TEACHES WHOLE FOOD NUTRITION CLASSES AT CASTRO VALLEY ADULT SCHOOL, AND IS A FACULTY MEMBER AT BAUMAN COLLEGE OF HOLISTIC NUTRITION. SHE HAS SERVED AS A CONSULTANT TO THE CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIANS.
NISA BROWN
CRANIOSACRAL THERAPIST AND SOMATIC PRACTITIONER
EXPLORER OF THE EARTH AND THE DEPTHS OF SOUL AND PSYCHE, I HAVE HAD A PASSION FOR HEALING AND THE MIND-BODY CONNECTION FROM A YOUNG AGE. I GRADUATED FROM THE SEBASTOPOL MASSAGE CENTER IN 2007 AND CONTINUED ON WITH STUDIES IN BODYWORK, YOGA, AYURVEDA, AND NUTRITIONAL MEDICINE, BUT STRUGGLED WITH MY OWN CHRONIC HEALTH ISSUES THROUGHOUT MY ADULT LIFE. EVENTUALLY, I FOUND MY WAY TO CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY AND SOMATIC HEALING AS A CLIENT WHEN IT INITIATED AND SUPPORTED MY RECOVERY FROM A PROCESS OF DEBILITATING CHRONIC/ADRENAL FATIGUE AND NEUROLOGICAL SYMPTOMS THAT WAS CAUSED BY MYCOTOXICITY AND PTSD, THE AFFECTS OF WHICH LASTED FOR MANY YEARS AND HAD NOT RESPONDED TO ANY OTHER TREATMENTS. THROUGH MY HEALING, I BEGAN TO UNDERSTAND THE ROLE THAT SOMATICIZED TRAUMA HAD PLAYED IN MY SYMPTOMS. THE DEEPEST TRAINING THAT I HAVE HAD IS MY OWN LIVED EXPERIENCE OF CHRONIC ILLNESS AND TRAUMA RECOVERY, WHICH HAS SHAPED MY CAPACITY TO HOLD SPACE FOR THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE. FINDING MY WAY TO SOMATIC WORK HAS TRANSFORMED MY RELATIONSHIP TO MY BODY AND SELF, AND ALLOWED ME TO HEAL FROM LONG-TERM LAYERS OF DEPRESSION, NERVOUS-SYSTEM DYSREGULATION, AND ILLNESS. I LOVE THIS WORK, AND I BELIEVE IN THIS WORK.
CLAIRE CARLOMAGNO
LICENSED MASSAGE THERAPIST, FLOWER ESSENCE PRACTITIONER
CLAIRE (SHE/THEY) IS A LICENSED MASSAGE THERAPIST, FLOWER ESSENCE PRACTITIONER, TEXTILE TEACHER, AND STUDIO ASSISTANT FOR CERAMICIST KALA STEIN. SHE SPECIALIZES IN CARE FOR QUEERS, ARTISTS AND CARE WORKERS. AN ALUMNI OF CSHS ROOTS AND CHP PROGRAM, AND A RESIDENT OF EMERALD VALLEY FOR OVER 4 YEARS, CLAIRE HAS A DEEP CONNECTION TO THE MEDICINE OF THE FLORA BE FAUNA OF THE SCHOOL. FLOWERS REMAIN HER MOST SACRED INSPIRATION AND THEY INFORM EVERY ASPECT OF HER LIFE. YOU CAN FIND HER CHANNELING THE BLOOMS OR HUGGING THE TREES WITH HER PUP, ROMY.
JESSICA CLARK
CLINICAL HERBALIST
JESSICA ELISE CLARK IS A CLINICAL HERBALIST, MEDICINAL HERB GROWER, BEEKEEPER, AND EDUCATOR. AN ALUMNA OF CSHS, SHE HAS SPENT THE PAST DECADE DEDICATED TO GROWING, LEARNING FROM, AND SHARING THE HEALING POWER OF PLANTS WITH HER COMMUNITY. SHE HAS VOLUNTEERED AS A PRACTITIONER WITH THE BOTANICAL BUS – BILINGUAL MOBILE HERBAL CLINIC – WHICH PROVIDES FREE HEALTH CARE ACCESS TO LATINX FOLX AND FARMWORKERS. ALSO, ALONG WITH WORKING AT THE SANTA ROSA – BASED APOTHECARY, FARMACOPIA, SHE WORKS AS A CLINICAL HERBALIST FOR WEST COUNTY HEALTH CENTERS, COLLABORATING WITH DOCTORS TO PROVIDE CARE TO THE CLINIC’S PATIENTS. JESSICA’S HERBAL BUSINESS, WILD BEE HERBALS, IS THE HUB FOR ALL HER MANY FACETS AS AN HERBALIST – HER PRIVATE CLINICAL PRACTICE FOCUSED ON OPTIMIZING REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH, MEDICINAL HERBS GROWN FOR THE SONOMA COUNTY HERB EXCHANGE, AS WELL AS SHARING WHAT SHE HAS LEARNED THROUGH TEACHING CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS. FIND OUT MORE AT WILDBEEHERBALS.COM, OR ON INSTAGRAM/FACEBOOK @WILDBEEHERBALS
DIANA DeLUCA
HERBALIST
DIANA DE LUCA, KITCHEN WIZARD & HERBALIST, AUTHOR OF BOTANICA EROTICA, PERSONAL CHEF/INSTRUCTOR, RECIPE CONSULTANT AND NANA, WAS RAISED ON A LAKE IN THE SIERRAS WITH HERBS AND NATURAL REMEDIES. IN 1980, SHE ARRIVED IN SONOMA COUNTY TO WORK AS AN HERBALIST IN A NATURAL FOODS STORE FOR 8 YRS BEFORE COMPLETING ROSEMARY GLADSTAR’S HERBAL TEACHER’S TRAINING COURSE & DAVID HOFFMANN’S THERAPEUTIC HERBALISM COURSE IN THE MID 1990”S. DIANA TRAVELED AND TAUGHT FOR OVER 20 YEAR; KITCHEN MEDICINALS AND HERBS AND NATURAL REMEDIES FOR WOMEN’S HEALTH AND WELLNESS AFTER STUDYING WITH DR. ROSITA ARVIGO AND TRADITIONAL HEALERS IN BELIZE TO LEARN THE WOMEN’S ABDOMINAL HEALTH MASSAGE AND HERBAL HEALING. DIANA ALSO DEVELOPED WORKSHOPS FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS FOR THE SUTTER WOMEN’S NURSES STRESS RELIEF PROGRAM. DIANA COMPLETED THE NUTRITIONAL CHEF INSTRUCTOR PROGRAM AT LIVING LIGHT CULINARY INSTITUTE WITH COMPLETION OF CORNELL UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE PLANT BASED NUTRITION COURSE WITH T. COLIN CAMPBELL PHD. DIANA DRAWS UPON HER RICH SICILIAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE AND LOVE OF ALL THINGS DELICIOUS, AROMATIC AND HEALTHY TO SHARE HER PASSION AND WISDOM OF THE GREEN WORLD.
KATHLEEN HARRISON
ETHNOBOTANIST, ARTIST, PHOTOGRAPHER
KATHLEEN RESEARCHES THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PLANTS AND PEOPLE, WITH A PARTICULAR FOCUS ON ART, MYTH, RITUAL, AND SPIRITUALITY. SHE TEACHES AT THE CALIFORNIA SCHOOL OF HERBAL STUDIES, SONOMA STATE UNIVERSITY, NEW COLLEGE OF CALIFORNIA, AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY. SHE HAS DONE FIELDWORK IN LATIN AMERICA FOR OVER 25 YEARS, AND IS THE DIRECTOR OF BOTANICAL DIMENSIONS, A NON-PROFIT PROJECT DEDICATED TO EXPLORING THE HUMAN RELATIONSHIP TO MEDICINAL AND SHAMANIC PLANTS.
SAGE LAPENA
HERBALIST, ETHNOBOTANIST
SAGE LAPENA IS AN HERBALIST TRAINED IN BOTH TRADITIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN AND WESTERN HERBALISM PROTOCOL. CERTIFIED AS A CLINICAL HERBALIST SINCE 2006, SAGE BEGAN HER TRAINING IN THE WAYS OF PLANTS AS A CHILD, WORKING WITH TRADITIONAL HEALERS AND RESPECTED ELDERS FROM LOCAL TRIBES OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. SAGE HAS BEEN TEACHING THE USES OF CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANTS FOR OVER 30 YEARS AND IS A GUEST LECTURER AT UC SYSTEM SCHOOLS AS WELL AS SEVERAL HERBAL SCHOOLS IN CALIFORNIA. AS A MEMBER OF AMERICAN HERBALIST’S GUILD, UNITED PLANT SAVERS, CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY AND A BOARD MEMBER OF HERBAL ANTHROPOLOGY PROJECT, SHE HOLDS HERSELF TO A STANDARD OF RESPECT, RECIPROCITY AND RESPONSIBILITY IN THE COLLECTION AND DISPENSING OF ALL PLANT MATERIAL AND HERBAL PRODUCTS MADE FROM THEM. THROUGH HER COMPANY, MOUNTAIN THISTLE BOTANICALS AND CONSULTATION, SAGE UTILIZES HER SKILLS AS AN HERBALIST AND EDUCATOR TO FOSTER PROACTIVE HEALTH AND WELLNESS IN THE NATIVE COMMUNITY WITH PRESENTATIONS ON METABOLIC SYNDROME, DIABETES MANAGEMENT, HEALTHY EATING WITH TRADITIONAL FOODS AND NUTRITION AWARENESS.
DREA MOORE
HERBALIST
FACILITATOR AND GUIDE, DREA MOORE, IS A CLINICAL HERBALIST WITH MANY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE MAKING AND USING ALCOHOL-FREE HERBAL MEDICINE FOR HERSELF AND OTHERS. SHE IS A CSHS ALUMNA, CORE FACULTY AT THE SCARLET SAGE SCHOOL OF TRADITIONAL HEALING ARTS AND LIVES ON THE OLYMPIC PENINSULA IN WASHINGTON STATE WHERE SHE HAS A HEALING ARTS PRACTICE. SHE IS CERTIFIED IN AYURVEDA, YOGA, MASSAGE THERAPY AND HOLDS A MASTERS DEGREE IN RHETORIC FROM SSU. LEARN MORE ABOUT DREA AT SOBERHERBALIST.COM AND @SOBERHERBALIST ON INSTAGRAM AND TWITTER. CONTACT DREA@SOBERHERBALIST.COM FOR MORE INFO.
LARKIN MORGAN
HERBALIST
LARKIN’S EXPERIENCE IS ROOTED IN WESTERN HERBAL THERAPEUTICS WITH AN EMPHASIS ON PLANTS LOCAL TO SONOMA COUNTY. SHE HAS STUDIED, TAUGHT, MADE MEDICINE AND HELD A CLINICAL PRACTICE OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS. LARKIN’S PASSION IS EDUCATION AND EMPOWERMENT. IT IS HER JOY TO INTRODUCE PEOPLE TO THE ABUNDANCE OF USEFUL PLANTS THAT ARE ALWAYS UNDER FOOT.
CHRISTA SINADINOS
CLINICAL HERBALIST
CHRISTA IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE NORTHWEST SCHOOL FOR BOTANICAL STUDIES. SHE HAS CULTIVATED MANY HERBALISTS THROUGH THE TWO-PHASE PROFESSIONAL AND CLINICAL HERBALIST TRAINING PROGRAMS. SHE HAS PRACTICED HERBAL MEDICINE SINCE 1994 AND HAS STUDIED HERBS SINCE 1989. CHRISTA IS THE PROPRIETOR OF THE HERBAL EXTRACT BUSINESS ALPINE MEADOW BOTANICALS. SHE MAINTAINS A DEMONSTRATION GARDEN CONTAINING MORE THAN 200 SPECIES OF MEDICINAL HERBS.
SUMMER ASHLEY SINGLETARY
HERBALIST, PASSIONATE HOME COOK, MARKETING CONSULTANT, AND COFOUNDER OF THE KOSMIC KITCHEN
SUMMER ASHLEY SINGLETARY IS AN HERBALIST, PASSIONATE HOME COOK, MARKETING CONSULTANT, AND COFOUNDER OF THE KOSMIC KITCHEN. SHE BELIEVES THAT ACCESS TO PLANT-BASED HEALTHCARE IS A HUMAN RIGHT, AND HER WORK CENTERS AROUND PRESERVING PLANT MEDICINES WHILE STILL MAKING THEM ACCESSIBLE. SHE HAS STUDIED AT THE FLORIDA SCHOOL SCHOOL OF HOLISTIC LIVING, THE CALIFORNIA SCHOOL OF HERBAL STUDIES, AND THE DHYANA CENTER. SHE LIVES IN THE CALIFORNIA BAY AREA, AND PROVIDES MARKETING CONSULTING FOR WELLNESS AND HERBAL BRANDS AND TEACHES HERBAL PROGRAMS THROUGH THE KOSMIC KITCHEN'S ONLINE PLATFORM.
SHEREEL WASHINGTON
CLINICAL HERBALIST
SHEREEL WASHINGTON, A CLINICAL HERBALIST, CONSULTANT, AND WELLNESS COACH, HOLDS CERTIFICATION FROM THE CALIFORNIA SCHOOL OF HERBAL STUDIES AS A CLINICAL HERBALIST. SHE SPECIALIZES IN ADVANCED THERAPEUTICS, CONSTITUTIONAL EVALUATION, MATERIA MEDICA, CASE STUDY EVALUATION, HERBAL FORMULATIONS, AND HERBAL PHARMACY. ADDITIONALLY, SHE HAS COMPLETED EXTENSIVE TRAINING IN HERBAL CRAFT MAKING TOTALING OVER 1200 HOURS.
SHEREEL IS AN HERBALIST AND PRINCIPAL OF IXALTED NATURAL BODY CARE & BOTANICALS, A HEALTH AND BODY RESTORATIVE HERBAL BUSINESS THAT CREATES AND CRAFTS CUSTOMIZED HERBAL FORMULATIONS TO SUPPORT AND RESTORE OVERALL HEALTH AND WELLNESS. SHEREEL HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED BY CORNELL UNIVERSITY BOTANICAL GARDEN AS A "CULTIVATOR OF CELEBRATION" FOR THEIR SEEDS OF SURVIVAL EXHIBIT
AS A HERBAL HEALTH, HEALING AND NUTRITION PRACTITIONER AND CONSULTANT, SHEREEL SERVES DIVERSE ETHNIC COMMUNITIES IN PROMOTING NATURAL HEALTH CARE AND WELLNESS THROUGH PLANT MEDICINE. AS AN ADVOCATE OF GLOBAL CULTURAL HERBAL TRADITIONS, SHEREEL IS PASSIONATE ABOUT PRESERVING THE HISTORY, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPANSION OF THE CURRENT PRACTICE OF BLACK NORTH AMERICAN HERBALISM.
IN ADDITION TO HER EXPERTISE IN HERBALISM, SHEREEL IS AN ACCOMPLISHED MARTIAL ARTIST AND LONGTIME DANCER/TEACHER/PERFORMER.
TAMARA WILDER
TRADITIONAL SKILLS EDUCATOR
TAMARA HAS TAUGHT AND DEMONSTRATED TRADITIONAL SKILLS IN CALIFORNIA INCLUDING THE CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE IN SAN FRANCISCO, OREGON, ARIZONA AND IDAHO. THE WORK OF TAMARA WILDER AND STEVEN EDHOLM HAS BEEN PUBLISHED IN THE BULLETIN OF PRIMITIVE TECHNOLOGY, IN WOODSMOKE: COLLECTED WRITINGS ON ANCIENT LIVING SKILLS, AND IN THEIR BOOK BUCKSKIN: THE ANCIENT ART OF BRAINTANNING.
BRITTANY JADE WILSON
EDUCATOR, MIDWIFE, HERBALIST AND FOUNDER OF ORIGINAL INSTRUCTIONS SCHOOL
BRITTANY JADE BEGAN HER THEORETICAL TRAINING AND PRACTICUM OF MIDWIFERY, HERBALISM AND NATURAL HEALING WHILE STILL IN HER TEENS. AFTER RECEIVING HER HERBALISM AND MIDWIFERY TRAININGS IN ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA, BRITTANY MOVED TO PERU. THERE, SHE LIVED ALONGSIDE AND PRACTICED MEDICINE WITHIN RURAL QUECHUA, QERO AND SHIPPIBO COMMUNITIES FOR A DECADE. FOR THE PAST SIX YEARS BRITTANY HAS PRODUCED AND TAUGHT OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL TRAININGS IN THE FIELDS OF HERBALISM AND MIDWIFERY AROUND THE GLOBE. SHE IS BLESSED TO HAVE LEARNED FROM A HANDFUL OF INDIGENOUS MEDICINE PEOPLE WHO HAVE GUIDED HER IN HER PRACTICE. WHILE SHE HAS SPENT A SIGNIFICANT PART OF HER LIFE IN SOUTH AMERICA, BRITTANY HAS ALSO REMAINED ROOTED TO ANCESTRAL PRACTICES AND TRADITIONAL BELIEFS STEMMING FROM NORTH AMERICAN INDIGENOUS NATIONS. SHE APPROACHES HER WORK AS AN EDUCATOR, HERBALIST, MIDWIFE AND HEALER THROUGH HER EXPERIENTIAL KNOWLEDGE OF THE ORIGINAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR HUMANITY. SHE APPROACHES HER WORK AND HER LIFE WITH A SENSE OF HUMILITY AND WITH THE HOPE THAT HER WAY OF LIVING WOULD MAKE HER ANCESTORS PROUD. COURSES OFFERED IN THE FIELDS OF: HERBALISM, MIDWIFERY & TRADITIONAL MEDICINE
REMEMBRANCE
IN LOVING MEMORY OF JIM HALL
HERBALIST, MA, CMT September 8, 1950 - November 12, 2021
JIM HALL WAS FROM A FAMILY OF SPIRITUAL HEALERS AND WAS INTENSIVELY INVOLVED IN VARIOUS HOLISTIC HEALING MODALITIES SINCE 1979. HE HELD A MASTER'S DEGREE IN HOLISTIC HEALTH EDUCATION FROM JOHN. F. KENNEDY UNIVERSITY AND STUDIED WITH HEALERS FROM A VARIETY OF TRADITIONS, INCLUDING MICHAEL MOORE, KASHAYA POMO ELDER LORIN SMITH, KARYN SANDERS, CHANCHAL CABRERA, AND MEDICAL INTUITIVE LAURIE SCHYRIVER. JIM TAUGHT for MANY YEARS AT THE CALIFORNIA SCHOOL OF HERBAL STUDIES AND AT THE BERKELEY HERBAL CENTER. HE ALSO HAD A PRIVATE HERBAL AND ENERGY HEALING PRACTICE, SPECIALIZING IN ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS FOR CANCER AND SOUL RETRIEVAL. HE IS DEEPLY MISSED
IN LOVING MEMORY OF LESLIE GARDNER
HERBALIST - WHO PASSED ON ~ MAY 20, 2014
LESLIE WAS THE BELOVED THE GARDEN MANAGER OF CSHS AND COORDINATOR OF THE GARDEN APPRENTICE PROGRAM FOR OVER 20 YEARS. SHE SERVED ON THE BOARD OF THE SONOMA CO. HERB ASSOCIATION AND WAS THE DIRECTOR OF THE SONOMA CO. HERB EXCHANGE. LESLIE WORKED AS AN HERBAL PRACTITIONER AND WAS A PROFESSIONAL MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN HERBALISTS GUILD.
IN LOVING MEMORY OF CASCADE ANDERSON GELLER
HERBALIST -WHO PASSED ON HERB DAY ~ MAY 4, 2013
CASCADE'S HERBAL ROOTS REACHED BACK TO THE RUGGED MOUNTAINS AND PEOPLE OF THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS AND ACROSS THE CONTINENT TO THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST. A GRADUATE OF DOMINION HERBAL COLLEGE IN BRITISH COLUMBIA, AND HAVING TRAINED WITH VARIOUS HERBAL ELDERS, CASCADE WAS A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE EVERETT HOUSE HEALING CENTER (NOW COMMON GROUND) IN PORTLAND, OREGON, WHERE SHE HAD AN HERBAL PRACTICE AND TAUGHT CLASSES BEGINNING IN 1979. MOST OF HER APOTHECARY WAS COMPOSED OF PREPARATIONS SHE HAD MADE AND MANY FROM WILDCRAFTED PLANTS. SHE WAS DEPARTMENT CHAIR OF BOTANICAL MEDICINE AT THE NATIONAL COLLEGE OF NATUROPATHIC (NOW NATURAL) MEDICINE FROM 1979-1992.
IN LOVING MEMORY OF CHARMOON RICHARDSON
MUSHROOM EDUCATOR - WHO PASSED ON JULY 11, 2014
CHARMOON HAD BEEN COLLECTING AND STUDYING WILD MUSHROOMS FOR OVER 30 YEARS. HE WAS A PAST PRESIDENT OF SONOMA COUNTY MYCOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION, A NATIONALLY KNOWN MUSHROOM AUTHORITY AND WAS THE OWNER OF WILD ABOUT MUSHROOMS, WHICH OFFERS A VARIETY OF MUSHROOM FORAYS, EVENTS AND CLASSES.