Herb Mentor Radio

Rebecca Altman is an herbalist, writer, and proprietor of Kings Road Apothecary. As a Scottish herbalist wildcrafting in Los Angeles, she has acclimated well to the Southwest by coming up with herbal remedies that are as unique as she is. Ocotillo blossom elixir, peach leaf and wild rose calming potion, busted joint ointment, white fir and juniper incense, and white sage chaparral salve are just a few of her creations. In this episode of HerbMentor Radio, we meet a young herbalist who is breaking a new group by thinking outside the herbal box. In fact, she even has an herbal CSA called “The Monthly Surprise Box.” You really never know what Rebecca will do next, and this interview will surely inspire you to think differently based on what is growing around you. Rebecca shares some practical advice, including how to make some really amazing and simple remedies using local plants, such as conifer-infused olive oil. This interview was recorded live at the Medicine of the People conference in Arizona. Visit Rebecca at http://kingsroadapothecary.com

Sunny Savage is a wild foodie, filmmaker, and homeschooling parent traveling with the wind … aboard a sailboat with her husband and son. She has a Master’s degree in Nutrition Education and taught native nutrition at the White Earth Tribal & Community College. Her ancestry includes pirates, diplomats, farmers, to writers of the French constitution. Her ancestor, Thomas Savage, arrived in Jamestown on the second boat at 13. Sunny was raised by “back to the land” parents and spent a year eating foods only grown within 250 miles of her home. She’s traveled every continent on Earth and has a television show called Hot on the Trail with Sunny Savage that followed her adventures. It airs on Dish 218, FIOS 163, and Frontier 162. Sunny released her clothing line that is made from wild plants, and we talk about medicinal clothing in the interview. Sunny joins John from a cafe in Panama. She’s about to begin another leg of her adventures at sea with her family. She is filming the story. You can visit Sunny at http://SunnySavage.com AND follow her adventures at http://TheSailingMovie.com

Rosemary Gladstar is the author of several books, including the bestseller Herbal Healing for Women and A Family Herbal. She has taught herbs extensively throughout the U.S. and has led travel adventures worldwide. Rosemary has founded the California School of Herbal Studies, United Plant Savers, co-founded Sage Mountain Herbs and is a founding member of the Northeast Herb Association. Her experience includes over 30 years in the herbal community as a healer, teacher, visionary, and organizer of herbal events. Visit Rosemary at http://www.sagemountain.com

A well-known and respected member of the Meso-American Zapotecan people located in Oaxaca, Dona Enriqueta Contreras is a descendant of a long line of Zapoteca shamans that date back to 500 B.C. Dona Enriqueta owns and operates a health clinic for her community, as well as for international visitors, in the small town of San Francisco Tutla. Her history as a practicing midwife of more than fifty years has yielded her a flawless career with no mother or child ever lost during the birth process… an extraordinary feat, even by western standards. She travels the world disseminating her wisdom and knowledge. While her address does not talk about herbs directly, Dona Enriqueta shares very important wisdom from an ancient people. Such wisdom is essential for having a strong foundation for herbal studies. Dona Enriqueta first performs a simple ritual from the Zapotecan people and then reminds us of how important it is to live with the rhythms of nature, work with each other, and give us tips for a healthier world. Wintertime is traditionally the time when we as humans would gather around the fires and hear the stories of our elders. This is the perfect time to dim the lights, light a candle, make a cup of tea, and hear timeless words from this wise woman. Wonderful words for the new year.

David Hoffmann, B.Sc., F.N.I.M.H. has traveled the world, run for Parliament on a Green Party ticket, and has been an activist in the Green and Peace movements for longer than he cares to remember. He is the author of 17 books, his latest is a textbook on science and clinical skills for phytotherapists entitled Medical Herbalism, published by Inner Traditions. These accomplishments aside, David, a Fellow of Britain’s National Institute of Medical Herbalists, has been a phytotherapist (that’s a practitioner of herbal medicine) for over 30 years. David promotes herbal medicine around the world, teaches at the California School of Herbal Studies, Bastyr University, and the California Institute of Integral Studies, and, as previously mentioned, has authored many books about plants and plant medicine. Books include The Holistic Herbal: A Safe and Practical Guide to Making and Using Herbal Remedies and The Herbal Handbook: A User’s Guide to Medical Herbalism. David is on the advisory board of the American Botanical Council, and a founding member and past president of the American Herbalist Guild. He is also a medical herbalist for Traditional Medicinals. You can read some of David’s articles at http://Heathy.net (Just search for Hoffmann to find his articles.)

Lesley Tierra, L.AC., AHG is a California State and nationally certified acupuncturist and herbalist. In her practice, she combines acupuncture, herb, and food therapies along with lifestyle and inner growth counseling. She is a founding professional member of the American Herbalists Guild. Lesley is the author of Healing with the Herbs of Life and Healing with Chinese Herbs. She collaborated with Michael Tierra to produce the East West Herb Course and is its dean. She also co-authored Chinese-Planetary Herbal Diagnosis with Michael and Chinese Herbal Medicine. She has also co-authored with Michael a two-volume text on Chinese Herbal Medicine, published by Lotus Press. In addition, she has written a special herbal for young children called A Kid’s Herb Book (for children of all ages). Lesley and Michael Tierra run the East-West School of Herbology. You can visit them at http://PlanetHerbs.com

Will Endres is an herbalist, wildcrafter, and outdoor guide with more than 40 years of experience. Originally from West Virginia, Will studied 28 years with herb doctor and healer CF “Catfish” Gray. He has had many herbal elders and has been deeply influenced by the traditional Cherokee approach to plants and medicine. Will runs “Will’s Wild Herbs” in North Carolina, and has been in business for 37 years. Living and working in the woods has given him a uniquely intimate knowledge of the natural world. He offers year-round walks, talks, classes, and apprenticeships. In this episode, we hear about the unique way Will was mentored, and how this affected his relationship with plants. There is a lot of wisdom to be gained by listening to our herbal elders, including Will’s mentor Catfish Gray. Will is one of these elders, and his story is incredible. This HerbMentor Radio is sure to give you a new perspective on the way you learn about herbs. You’ll learn about some plants close to Will along the way. You can learn about Will’s classes and private consultations at http://WillsWildHerbs.org

Sandor Katz returns to HerbMentor Radio in celebration of his new book, The Art of Fermentation: An In-Depth Exploration of Essential Concepts and Processes from Around the World. This nearly 500-page volume gives practical information on fermenting vegetables, fruits, grains, milk, beans, meats, and more. It has a forward by Michael Pollan and is published by Chelsea Green. Sandor is also the author of Wild Fermentation: The Flavor, Nutrition, and Craft of Live-Culture Foods and The Revolution Will Not Be Microwaved: Inside America’s Underground Food Movement. Starting with sauerkraut, Sandor has been fermenting foods for years. As an avid cook, gardener, herbalist, and nutritional enthusiast, his interests have led to a life of spreading “culture” wherever he travels. He refers to himself as a "fermentation revivalist."

Rosemary Gladstar covers the importance of wild greens, both nutritionally and energetically. Dandelions, plantain, nettle, chickweed, and many more favorites will be covered. In addition to her favorite ways to prepare wild greens, Rosemary will also cover ethical wild harvesting. It’s time to clean out the closets and leave the winter blues behind! Rosemary Gladstar is the author of many books, including Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide, Rosemary Gladstar’s Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health, and Herbal Healing for Women. Rosemary has been inspiring herbalists for nearly 40 years with the herbal schools, conferences, organizations, and companies she has founded, which include the California School of Herbal Studies, Traditional Medicinals, the International Herb Symposium, and United Plant Savers.

Dr. Patrick Jones is a veterinarian with a passion for herbs. He grew up close to the land, and his interest in herbs eventually led to him treating animals with herbal remedies. He has a private practice and is also does formulation, support, and training for Silver Lining Herbs. Patrick's wife LoriAnn is also an herbalist, and together they have raised 15 children. Patrick practices veterinary medicine in Twin Falls, ID. Patrick is also a long-time HerbMentor member and a regular presence in the forum. In this episode of HerbMentor Radio, Dr. Jones answers many questions that HerbMentor members posted about herbs for dogs and cats. We cover basic herbal nutrition, delivery methods, common pet issues, what not to give your pets, and the truth about catnip.