October 16, 2009

Where'd You Learn all this Stuff?!

Hi Everyone!

Well winter is on its way to the UP. The woods are ablaze with color right now, but the leaves are falling like snow, so it won't be long before the ground is covered for the season. We've already had a mild dusting of an inch, so the harvest is in and only the cool weather crops and hardy herbs are still alive here on God's Holy Mountain tucked under their fall cold frames.

The question I get asked most at all my seminars is: "What's the best school to go to if I want to be an Herbalist?"

That's a tough question. There are lots of wonderful schools all over the country. Many of the most respected herbalists of yesterday and some who are still around, got their start learning from their mothers, grandmothers or an older trusted herbalist who was "self-taught". Courses are available at universitites, community colleges, adult learning programs, online correspondence etc. The list is endless and you must choose the path that best suits your particular situation.



But I want to focus on an excellent resource that would be my first suggestion for those who are in the "dabbling" stage right now and aren't ready to invest in a full blown course.


John Gallagher and his lovely wife, Kim have two wonderful websites. Learning Herbs and Herb Mentor. John and Kimberly Gallagher started Learningherbs.com in 2005 to show people how simple it was to treat yourself naturally with herbs and good food.

They created the Herbal Medicine Making Kit as well as Wildcraft! An Herbal Adventure Game.

They have also started a new community called HerbMentor. This is NOT about John and Kimberly mentoring you. HerbMentor about a community of herbal learners of all experience levels joining together to help each other deepen relationships with the plants and our health.

Where many herbal courses eventually come to an end, HerbMentor keeps you growing with ongoing inspiration and education. John Gallagher, L.Ac., CCH is a Community Centered Herbalist. He is also a licensed five element acupuncturist with Cascade Acupuncture in Redmond, WA. Since 1991, he has worked at Wilderness Awareness School, where he teaches herbal studies with the Residential Program.

This is "one stop shopping" for anyone interested in seriously persuing the herbal path, or even those who just want to scratch the surface. You will find wonderful teaching videos, forums where you can get your questions answered, and a plethora of other herbal information.

I have included links to the websites and some of their best selling products like Wildcraft! and the Herbal Medicine Making Kit. Go check it out. You'll be glad you did!

Till next time, be blessed and BE WELL!
Karen