Abby Artemisia wears many hats—botanist, herbalist, forager, and founder of The WANDER School, a nonprofit dedicated to herbal and botanical education, and herbal reparations to underserved communities. The author of The Herbal Handbook for Homesteaders and The Wild Foraged Life Cookbook, she lives in Appalachian North Carolina, where she forages and wildcrafts her food and remedies and teaches Wildcrafted Herb School and the Botany Breakdown Virtual Course.
Symposium Speakers
We've got a stellar line-up of speakers for this year's Symposium!
Here you'll find the bios of our featured speakers for the Symposium and the Pre-Symposium and Post-Symposium Intensives.
Click on the link in each bio to read their class description.
Abby Artemisia
Classes:
David Beatty
Dr. David Beatty is an osteopathic physician and herbalist practicing in Lewisburg, West Virginia and professor emeritus at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. He studied herbalism with Patricia Kyritsi Howell at the BotanoLogos School of Herbal Studies, and Teresa Boardwine at Green Comfort School of Herbal Medicine. David and his partner, Shannon Patrick Beatty, own a small medicinal herb farm.
Margaret Gove Bloomquist
A Research Scholar in the Department of Horticultural Science at NC State University, has dedicated her career to sustainable agriculture and rural community development. Her work in medicinal herbs, native botanicals, hemp, organics, and other specialty crop research and extension efforts has made her a respected figure in the field. Margaret's leadership role in the WNC Medicinal Herb Growers Group and the WNC Woodland Stewards, her position as Associate Director of the Appalachian Forest Farmer Coalition, and her service on the Forest Grown Verification program of the United Plant Savers are testament to her commitment and expertise. Her passion for plants, soil ecology, and natural patterns is evident in her work and will be shared with you during the field trip.
Juliette Carr
Juliette Abigail Carr, APRN, RH(AHG), is a Family Nurse Practitioner in integrative medicine, farmer, and the director of Old Ways Herbal School of Plant Medicine and Botanical Sanctuary in Newfane, Vermont. Her school offers online & hands-on apprenticeships at their forest Botanical Sanctuary, with a focus on land-based bioregional herbalism. Free herbal library on Family & Community Herbalism at www.oldwaysherbal.com.Find them at @oldwaysherbal.
Classes:
Lindsay Chimileski
Dr. Lindsay Chimileski, RH(AHG) is a naturopathic physician and acupuncturist at Hawthorn Holistic Health in Hamden, Connecticut, with an enthralled devotion to plant and fungi medicines. In her work, she emphasizes that we are a part of nature, not separate from it and focuses on treating the whole person, fully acknowledging, and celebrating the interwoven layers of the body, the mind, the spirit and all the intangibles impacting our health and well-being.
Classes:
Bill Chioffi
Bill Chioffi, an herbalist who has been working in natural products since 1994, is Nammex's COO. He serves on the board of directors for United Plant Savers, The Sustainable Herbs Program, and Appalachian Forest Farmers. He also represents Nammex on the board of directors of the American Herbal Products Assoc. and the United Natural Products Assoc. and is a member of the Assoc. of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC). He lives in Asheville, NC, where he still makes his own mushroom and herbal products from scratch.
Mary Colvin
Mary Colvin, RH(AHG), is a dedicated clinical herbalist and rural herbal practitioner, author, formulator, educator, and mentor. She is the founder of Ancestral Herbology, LLC, in Wakeman, Ohio and the Herbology Talk podcast, and author of The Herbalist's Guide: How to Build and Use Your Own Apothecary. Mary is dedicated to guiding and mentoring other herbalists and helping them navigate the study of herbalism from beginner students to clinical herbalists.
Anya Contierra
Anya is an apprenticing clinical herbalist at Orion Herbs, a Traditional Chinese Medicine apothecary neighboring the NSEV Healing & Acupuncture clinic in Miami Beach, FL. She is deeply involved in studying subtropical herbalism, leading edible & medicinal identification hikes in South Florida, and teaching her "Herbalism for Reproductive Sovereignty" course.
Jeanine Davis
An associate professor and extension specialist in the Department of Horticultural Science at NC State University, is a leading authority in the field of Chinese Medicinal Herbs. With over 35 years of research and knowledge sharing, she has become a trusted source for farmers and gardeners nationwide. Her focus on native woodland botanicals, hops, truffles, Chinese medicinal herbs, and hemp has led to significant contributions to the field. She is the primary author of the book “Growing and Marketing Ginseng, Goldenseal and Other Woodland Medicinals.” Jeanine and her family operate Our Tiny Farm, raising and boarding miniature donkeys.
Fig Finkelstein
Fig Finkelstein, RH(AHG), is a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine, a Licensed Acupuncturist, and Registered Herbalist in Knoxville, Tennessee with over fifteen years of experience in clinical practice and teaching. Her education is rooted in Appalachian folk herbalism, as well as Classical Five Element Botanical Medicine, specializing in herbal dermatology, holistic hormonal health, and Histamine Intolerance (HIT). She founded Herban Austin, a sustainable medicinal herb farm, in 2016.
Classes:
Maria Noël Groves
Maria Noël Groves, RH(AHG), clinical herbalist, runs Wintergreen Botanicals Herbal Clinic & Education Center in New Hampshire and online. Her business is devoted to education and empowerment via classes, health consultations, and writing with the foundational belief that good health grows in nature. She is the author of the award-winning, best-selling Body into Balance, Grow Your Own Herbal Remedies, and her latest, Herbal Remedies for Sleep.
Christopher Hobbs
Dr. Christopher Hobbs, RH(AHG), is a fourth generation, internationally known herbalist and mycologist, licensed acupuncturist, herbal clinician, research scientist, consultant to the dietary supplement industry, expert witness, botanist, public speaker, and author of over 20 books and numerous articles with over 40 years of experience.
Classes:
Steven Horne
Steven Horne, RH(AHG), has served as both president and council member of AHG. He is a Certified Comprehensive Iridologist with the International Iridology Practitioner Association (IIPA). He is recipient of two honorary degrees, Doctor of Natural Medicine, and Doctor of Humanitarian Services, by the World Organization of Natural Medicine. Steven currently serves on the Board of Education for Know Your Wellness and is an advisor for their Clinical Herbology Mentorship. He is also an instructor and consultant for NSP Professional. He is author of Strategies for Health, a Comprehensive Guide to Natural Healing, and co-author of the Modern Herbal Dispensatory. He and his wife live in Cedar City, Utah.
Sarah Hung
Dr. Hung a practicing ND/Traditional Chinese Acupuncturist and herbalist at Wholehearted Naturopathic and Wellness in Naperville, IL. The main clinical specialties at the center include women and men's hormonal and reproductive health, digestive health, mental health, and wellness and cardiometabolic health. In her clinic she uses a wide variety of preformulated herbs from Western and Eastern traditions, as well as individualized herbal tinctures.
Heather Irvine
Heather Irvine has been an herbalist passionate about teaching phytochemistry since she began her studies at the Northeast School of Botanical Medicine in 2003 while also a student at Cornell. Over time, she paired plant physiology, mycology, chemistry, ecology, human nutrition and health, psychology, and other topics with her herbal studies, thereby establishing a foundation for curiosity about the how and why of medicinal plants.
Mel Kasting
Mel Kasting, RH(AHG), is a practicing clinical herbalist and educator. As Clinical Director at the Eclectic School of Herbal Medicine, she helps clients to get the support they need while guiding them through the process of preparing for and participating in clinical practice. She is also member of the AHG Board of Directors and chair of the Education Committee. In her clinical practice, Mel recognizes the significance of addressing personal and societal traumas as an integral part of the healing journey.
Classes:
Brian Keenan
Brian Keenan is an herbalist, naturopathic doctor, and doctor of East Asian Medicine. He enjoys studying and synthesizing both the science and spirituality of plant medicines and has dedicated his life’s work to the pursuit of combining the best modern knowledge with natural wisdom to educate and aid others, as well as to help remind the world that Plants, Planet, and People all thrive when in harmony with one another.
Janet Kent
Janet Kent is a clinical and community herbalist living and practicing in Southern Appalachia. She a co-founder and core faculty member of the Terra Sylva School of Botanical Medicine. She is also co-founder and clinician at the River Island Community Herb Clinic in Marshall, NC.
Lora Krall
As a nurse herbalist, Lora combines her experience of thirty five years in healthcare with a lifetime study of nature, blending the best of both worlds in her work as an herbalist. She has taught at various conferences in the Midwest and online, contributed to Rosemary Gladstar’s book, Fire Cider: 101 Zesty Recipes, and is on the administrative team for Rosemary’s The Science and Art of Herbalism course.
Robert Linde
Bob Linde, RH(AHG), owns Acupuncture & Herbal Therapies and the Traditions School of Herbal Studies in St. Petersburg Florida where he has served the Tampa Bay community for over 35 years. Bob sees patients four days a week, supervises intern clinic three nights a week and teaches most weekends. He recently completed twelve episodes for INTI TV, “Sanaciones con Bob Linde”, an exploration of indigenous people’s herbal practices. Learn more about him at Acuherbals.com and Traditionsherbschool.com
Kat Maier
Kat Maier, RH(AHG), is founder of Sacred Plant Traditions, in Charlottesville, Virginia. In clinical practice for over 30 years, Kat teaches internationally at universities, conferences, and herbal schools. She is author of Energetic Herbalism: A Guide to Sacred Plant Traditions Integrating Elements of Vitalism, Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine, which received the Nautilus Gold Medal Award. She also served as the former president of United Plant Savers and is the recipient of the organization’s first Medicinal Plant Conservation Award.
Classes:
Richard Mandelbaum
Richard Mandelbaum, RH(AHG), is a clinical herbalist with a private practice, online and in person, in the southern Catskills Mountains of New York. In addition, he teaches classes in clinical herbal medicine, phytochemistry, medicine making, field botany, and foraging. Founder and faculty at the Arbor Vitae School of Traditional Herbalism, he is also on the faculty at David Winston’s Center for Herbal Studies and the Won Institute of Graduate Studies.
Classes:
Kelly McCarthy
Kelly McCarthy, RH(AHG), is a clinical herbalist, educator, and Somatic Experiencing practitioner who loves to help people gain more tools to experience joy while living under capitalism. Nerding out on the nervous system and eating cheese are two of her favorite things; she makes her home on Abenaki land in Vermont. Learn more about her work at www.atticapothecary.com
Vicki McGee
Vicki McGee is a biologist, herbalist, and a certified Medical Assistant of Cherokee and Catawba descent known for her ability to blend her cultural background with her knowledge of biology and functional medicine. A graduate of the Florida School of Holistic Living's Community Herbalism Program, and she studied at both the Dogwood School of Botanical Medicine and the Eclectic School of Botanical Medicine. Vicki also formulates for a natural products company.
Olatokunboh Obasi
Olatokunboh Obasi, MSc, CNS, RH(AHG), is the Owner of Well of Indigenous Wisdom School an online and in-person international program in herbalism and the healing arts. She is committed to community work, holistic health, social justice, and education through Afro Indigenous Medicine. Living part time in her maternal ancestral home, Kenya, she integrates traditional knowledge with her western education. Olatokunboh currently serves on the AHG Board of Directors.
Classes:
Xochitl Palomino
Dr. Xochitl Palomino, ND, a holistic integrative primary care physician for over eleven years, has taught courses for the Washington State Department of Health and educated consumers for over ten years in the natural products industry. For the past four years she has been a member of the National Science and Education team for Host Defense Mushrooms, where she educates healthcare practitioners, retail staff, and consumers on the benefits of mushrooms.
Classes:
Samuel Perry
Samuel Perry, RH(AHG), is a clinical herbalist in Albany, NY, practicing in the Vitalist and Eclectic tradition of American herbalism and a member of the core faculty at Arbor Vitae School of Traditional Herbalism in New Paltz, NY. In addition to his work as an herbalist, he is a long-time Zen Buddhist practitioner leading silent meditation retreats. The World Is Alive! We Are All Part of It!
Classes:
Sajah Popham
Sajah Popham is the founder of Natura Sophia Spagyrics and Evolutionary Herbalism, an educational platform focused on the synergy of spagyric alchemy, medical astrology, Ayurveda, and clinical Western herbalism. His comprehensive approach unites the science and spirit of people and plants with an integrative system that aims to heal and rejuvenate the body, clarify the mind, open the heart, and support in the discovery and development of the soul. He lives in the Pacific Northwest.
Classes:
Lyani Powers
Lyani's extensive training in herbalism includes Clinical Herbalism and Ayurvedic Postpartum Doula certifications, which fuels her mission at Modern Herbal Apothecary. She empowers clients through plant medicine and holistic care, bridging gaps in wellness with gender-neutral products and community outreach.
Renee Crozier Prince
Renee Crozier Prince, RH(AHG), is a clinical practitioner, specializing in cancer and traditional healing and the founder of the Four Elements School of Traditional Medicine where her focus is bioregional herbalism, conservation, and addressing the needs of underserved communities. Trained as a traditional healer, she spends time in several countries each year furthering her practice as she is passionate about balancing traditional and modern methods of healing.
Gina Rivers
Gina Rivers is an herbalist, formulator, and educator. Through her work with the world-renowned mycologist, Paul Stamets, she has traveled internationally educating practitioners and the public on the health benefits of medicinal mushrooms. She has served as a community herbalist throughout the Southeast and currently resides in the Blue Ridge Mountains. In 2023, she founded River ‘Seng MycoHerbalism, a holistic-based clinic serving clients from around the country.
Robert Rogers
Robert Dale Rogers, RH(AHG), has been a teacher and clinician for over 50 years. He is author of The Fungal Pharmacy and Medicinal Mushrooms: The Human Clinical Trials and more than 60 other books. His next book on medicinal lichens will be released in December 2024. In addition, he teaches herbal and mushroom medicine at two universities and is an Herbal Elder of Canada.
Classes:
CoreyPine Shane
CoreyPine Shane, RH(AHG), founder and director of the Blue Ridge School of Herbal Medicine near Asheville, NC, is a clinical herbalist and teacher with over 30 years of experience. He is known for artfully blending Chinese and Western herbal traditions with a focus on local plants. His book, Southeast Medicinal Plants, explains how to identify, ethically harvest, and use the wild plants of the Southeastern United States. He strongly believes in the healing power of nature and that herbs and herbal philosophy, deserve a special place in modern health care. Find out more at the Blue Ridge School website.
Kevin Spelman
Dr. Kevin Spelman, MCPP, RH(AHG), is a clinician and researcher specializing in botanical medicine. His experience includes three decades of clinical work (Ayurveda & Western phytotherapy), professorships and a decade of laboratory & clinical research. He was a founder of the first accredited Master’s degree in Clinical Herbal Medicine and formerly a postdoctoral fellow at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) researching the molecular biology of the brain (Trifolium pratense) and ovarian cancer (Ceanothus spp.). He also identified novel cannabimimetic ligands from Zanthoxylum spp. while at NIH. Kevin runs Health, Education & Research, a consulting company for research, new product development, novel formulations and phytochemical applications.
Classes:
Terry Vanderheyden
Dr. Terry Vanderheyden is a Registered Herbalist (OHA) and naturopathic doctor in general practice with a focus on cancer care in Barry's Bay, Ontario. He is a 1994 graduate of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto and board licensed with the College of Naturopaths of Ontario.
Donald Yance
Donnie Yance, RH(AHG), is a Clinical Master Herbalist and Certified Nutritionist, internationally renowned for his knowledge of the healing properties of plants and nutrition, as well as epigenetics, laboratory medicine, and oncology. He is the author of Herbal Medicine, Healing and Cancer and Adaptogens in Medical Herbalism and the founder and president of Natura Health Products (naturahealthproducts.com). He practices and teaches at the Mederi Center in Ashland. Learn more here: medericenter.org, mederiacademy.com, donnieyance.com.
