My journey with herbalism began with a desire to support a family member going through chemotherapy-my curiosity and self study eventually led me to the Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism, where I received a certification in ‘Family Herbalism’. My graduation project was a little apothecary for someone going through chemo and healing from Cancer. I am not a clinical herbalist, but after a whole year of study at VCIH with some of the country’s best herb teachers, I was given a really in depth and solid foundation for my herbal studies. Being a Family Herbalist or Community Herbalist or Folk Herbalist as some like to say means being that person that your loved ones call on when they feel sick-it means being the person who knows the remedy to support someone through their healing journey. My herbalism journey and practice has not only been for the healing of others, but it has truly been my guiding light and grounding force in my own healing journey. When I first started learning about plants, I was lost and wounded in many ways, especially emotionally. Plant healing has not just been about physical ailments for me-it has been a practice for my healing both spiritually and emotionally as well.

I also want to name a few herbalism mentors I have had the privilege of learning from. After I graduated from herb school I went on a trip to Nicaragua and lived and mentored with Aura Uriarte, who created a herbal medicine course at the University in Managua. From Aura I learned about traditional plant remedies of Nicaragua. Then in 2019, I stayed on the island of Lefkada for a 3 week internship with herbalist, Aris Kokotsis. There, I learned more about traditional Greek herbal remedies and got to assist in lots of harvesting and medicine making.

Now, in 2025, I am 2 years into motherhood and have been applying my herbal knowledge and studies to the rites of pregnancy, birth, postpartum and children! In the last two years I have had endless opportunities to use herbs for different ailments and situations my daughter encountered. Not only that, but being in the garden, harvesting herbs and stopping to smell the flowers is something she loves now! My daughter loves to have ‘tea time’ and voraciously sips her little cups of tea! Our kids learn by example-so introducing them to this world of healing can be such a gift-in so many ways! Connecting with nature, feeling belonging and kinship with the earth, knowing that they have access to healing and care and sovereignty over their bodies.

I am so looking forward to giving other parents and caregivers the tools to apply this knowledge and wisdom to their kids!

Filakia! (Kisses)