Herbstalk's 2025 Teaching Team
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Learn more about our fabulous teachers below.
Our class schedule will be coming soon...
Alex Klein
alexkleinherbalist.com CLASS: Tree Walk Hi, I'm Alex, intermediary between people in plants. I run a humble herbalism practice in the Boston area where I work with people on a range of health issues using primarily plants I have gathered or grown myself. I also teach all sorts of classes about herbalism, botany, wild food, and natural history and run a monthly herbalism program called the Puddingstone School. 
Amanda Stanley
jupiterslabyrinth.com CLASS: Co-Creating Essences With Baneful & Endangered Plants Amanda (she/her/hers) has been studying & practicing integrative herbalism & Reiki for over 19 years. Combining a broad spectrum of practices, Amanda includes Ayurveda, Astrology, Traditional Western Herbal Practices, Reiki, Spiritual Ritual & Art to create a unique tool-box for each person she works with. Amanda not only provides lifelong tools, but also the support needed to have a happier, healthier life ~ mind, body and spirit. Amanda offers herbal education, Reiki trainings, consultations & events in person & online in NH. 
Amy Asherah
writehealing.org CLASS: Writing for Healing Amy Asherah has used writing as a way of healing for more than 30 years, and has written a memoir about her journey from trauma to healing. She studied Writing as a Therapeutic Modality at Lesley University, where she received an MFA in nonfiction writing. Her writing has been published in CALYX, Boulevard, The New York Times (Modern Love), Tiny Seed Literary Journal, and Glimmer Train Stories. 
Benoit Azagoh-Kouadio
roundthebendfarm.org CLASS: Psychedelic Integration Benoit Azagoh-Kouadio lives and practices holistic farming at Round the Bend Farm, a non-profit sustainable living education center in South Dartmouth, MA. His work focuses on cultivating a diverse range of crops in agroforestry systems including vegetables, flowers, perennial crops, berries, tree fruit, edible mushrooms, culinary and medicinal herbs. He's a survivor of Lyme disease, a community herbalist and a lifelong student (occasional teacher) of herbal medicine. He has been a passionate advocate involved, locally, nationally and internationally, in efforts supporting public awareness, community organizing, clinical scientific research and harm reduction with psychedelic medicines for the past 18 years. 
Caitlin Barry
caitlinbarry10.wixsite.com/caitlin-rose-somatic CLASS: Embodied Movement Caitlin is passionate about helping those she connects with feel more grounded in their bodies and strengthen their inner guidance system through movement. With a background in tantra and vinyasa yoga, Caitlin likes to use the power of the senses in classes as a way to ground and access deep healing. Aside from teaching with her 300-hour RYT, Caitlin is a graduate student, completing her M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2025. During her internship as a behavioral health therapist, Caitlin likes to combine the healing powers of yoga and other therapeutic modalities. 
Chani Greiner
rootalchemy.com CLASS: Ancient Immortality Herbs + Mushrooms Chani is an herbalist, holistic health practitioner, and energy healer currently pursuing her Acupuncture License. With a background in psychology, a graduate-level certification in Western Herbology, and extensive hands-on training in herbal medicine, she integrates Wise Woman Herbalism, Ayurveda, TCM, and Quantum Healing to offer holistic wellness consultations. Through RootAlchemy.com, Chani provides personalized support with herbs, CBD, and transformative healing practices to help you feel your best. 
Emily Wang
biolithicbuilds.com CLASS: Natural Building in New England Emily Wang is a natural builder based in Somerville. Formerly a clean-tech engineer, she now spends her time practicing and teaching the art and science of building in harmony with nature. As Biolithic Builds LLC, she seeks to provide transformative, ecotopian experiences to Greater Bostonians through natural building. Visit biolithicbuilds.com and @biolithicbuilds on Instagram to learn more. 
Gayle Nogas
gaylesthyme.com CLASS: A Natural Approach for Sleep, Anxiety, and Stress Gayle Nogas M H; has more than 40 years as an herbalist. She received her Master Herbalist Diploma from the American College of Healthcare Sciences, Portland Oregon, and is a long-time member of the Connecticut Herb Association, Northeast Herbal Association, and National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy. 
Iris Weaver
irisweaver.com CLASS: Urban Foraging Ramble: Plants for Food and Medicine Iris Weaver is a bioregional herbalist and foraging instructor based on the North Shore of Boston, who leads plant walks on finding and using edible and medicinal plants in urban, suburban, and rural settings, as well as teaching classes and hands-on workshops on making natural herbal skincare and herbal medicines, and how to use them. With a deep love of the plants, she grows and wildcrafts many of the plants she uses in her herbal products, and has been doing so for decades. She believes plants are the architects of saving our world. 
Julia Moore
moonbeamsteams.com CLASS: Herbal Support for Fertility Julia Demillones Moore (she/her) is a pelvic steam practitioner, home herbalist, mother, and women’s holistic health practitioner. Julia utilizes pelvic steaming as a measure to support her body’s natural cycles, to connect with her Filipino ancestral medicinal practices, and as another way to relate to the plants and elements. You can find more information about her practice Moon Beam Steams at www.moonbeamsteams.com and Instagram @moonbeamsteams 
Juliette Carr
oldwaysherbal.com CLASS: Abundant Herbs for Trying Times Juliette Abigail Carr, APRN, RH (AHG), is a Registered Herbalist, Family Nurse Practitioner in integrative medicine, farmer, writer, and the director of Old Ways Herbal School of Plant Medicine and Botanical Sanctuary (Newfane, Vermont). Join us for online & hands-on apprenticeships in our forest Botanical Sanctuary, focusing on land-based bioregional herbalism, informed by ecological rhythm, rootedness in place and community, and science. Free herbal library on Family & Community Herbalism including making and using medicines at home can be found at www.oldwaysherbal.com. 
Katie Warren
CLASS: How to Grow Your Own Dye Garden Katie is an urban farmer and environmental educator based in Somerville, MA. She is passionate about place-based food systems, fiber, and natural dyes and explores the link between materials and environment within her art. Katie started Onion Dye Studio in 2023 as a way to explore food waste pigments and connect with local creatives. 
Laura Torraco
sagegreenbotanicals.me Class: Heart Spirit Plant Walk Laura Torraco is an herbalist, researcher, and artist based in western Massachusetts. She is the owner of Sage Green Botanicals and a co-organizer of the Western Mass Herbal Symposium. Laura co-hosts Foraging Fridays, a weekly radio show on The River 93.9, where she shares knowledge about wild plants that are edible, abundant and often overlooked as weeds. She also works with the People's Medicine Project’s Wellness Through the Wall program, supporting access to herbal care for incarcerated individuals. Passionate about deepening connections between people and the natural world, Laura believes in the power of plants to nourish, heal, and transform 
Linda Patterson
herbsandaromatics.org CLASS: Introduction to Aromatherapy + Essential Oils Linda Patterson, B.A.is the director of Herbs and Aromatics and co-director for The Boston School of Herbal Studies. She has over 35 years experience teaching both nationally and internationally. Her love for plants inspired her to complete an education in the sciences at Smith College to better understand plants, their functions, and the challenges they now face in their ever-changing environments. This love has led her to become a Master Gardener, attain a minor in Landscape Studies, and to study the many healing modalities of plants. 
Lois Contreras Gutierrez
lolatheplantlady.com CLASS: Indoor Houseplants 101 Lola is a passionate plant educator who helps people create and care for thriving indoor and outdoor gardens. Known for her approachable and fun style, she shares expert plant care tips, offers personalized consultations, and inspires others to embrace the transformative power of plants. Whether you’re a seasoned plant parent or just beginning your journey, Lola makes plant care accessible and rewarding. 
Maribeth Swan
swanessence.com CLASS: Flower Essences for the Times: Lifting Our Spirits & Tending to Our Hearts Maribeth Swan is guided and grounded by the power of ritual connection to the Divine calling us into deeper relationship with all aspects of Nature, including our own. Her work focuses on unraveling unproductive patterns through the alchemy of custom flower essences, compassionate inquiry, and holding sacred space. Maribeth delights in growing flowers from seed, celebrating cycles of the Sun and Moon, getting to the ocean, crafting herbal remedies, and writing songs on her dulcimer! 
Mo Katz-Christy
mokatzchristy.com CLASS: Trust Your Gut: Herbs to Regulate, Nourish, and Heal Your Digestive System Mo Katz-Christy (they/them) is a queer Ashkenazi Jewish herbalist born and raised in Cambridge, MA on unceded Massachusett land. They approach herbalism by connecting folks to the knowledge they already have about their body and herbs through working with kitchen medicine, ancestral traditions, and mulberries falling on the sidewalk! Mo graduated from a three-year clinical herbalism program at the Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism in 2022. They work one-on-one with clients to address the root imbalances that are causing dysregulation and to build long-term healing. 
Nina Katz
Meridiansofhealth.com CLASS: Plant Walk Nina has a passion for helping people take control of their own health using readily available resources, such as plants and hands. She's been in private clinical practice in the Boston area since 1999. Nina learns about plants from the plants themselves, books, direct experience, and, of course, people. A Chartered Herbalist graduate of Dominion Herbal College, she teachers herbalism in the Greater Boston area. Yarrow is her favorite plant-mentor. 
Nora Gallo
CLASS: Connecting with Late Spring Herbals Nora is an herbalist dedicated to connecting people to the plants and bridging the gap between gardens and medicine cabinets. Born and raised in the pioneer valley, she now lives and works in Eastern Massachusetts. 
Sophia Avramides
avraveda.com CLASS: Introduction to Astroherbalism: Planetary Wisdom for Plant Nerds As an experienced herbalist and Ayurvedic Health Coach, Sophia offers educational workshops, one-on-one health coaching sessions and herbal ceremonies for her community. For over a decade, she has created hundreds of herbal recipes, has co-facilitated multiple international retreats, and has led a spectrum of workshops ranging from Ayurveda, herbalism, and self-study. Her latest passion is herbal mutual aid—the art of sharing plant medicine with the people who need it most. Sophia is on the quest to explore the intersection self-study, science, and embodiment of the full human experience. She’s here to love you on your self-healing journey. 
Toya Walker
organicallygrownqueen.com CLASS: Native Plants Toya is a mother, educator, wife, cultivator, and cook who finds joy in her urban homestead, where she builds biodiversity and creates a thriving garden. Her passion for healthy living extends into the kitchen, where she prepares fresh, nourishing meals for her family. Beyond the garden, she is a cosmic sexuality teacher, guiding couples and singles to understand their bodies and release stored trauma for deeper connection and healing. Her work is rooted in nature, wellness, and self-discovery, fostering a balanced and abundant life. |
Ali Schmitt
restwithali.com CLASS: Rest Circle: Empowering Change Makers & Activists Ali is a mother, social worker, an O2 yoga teacher and a certified Daring to Rest yoga nidra facilitator & rest coach. She has a telehealth private practice in Massachusetts where she works with women, mothers and caregivers to navigate the challenges of caring for themselves while they care for others. Ali is passionate about learning from nature and living with our natural cycles. Rest has been the most powerful tool in reclaiming power and wisdom in her life. 
Amelia South
blacksunfarmct.com CLASS: Tree Communication 101 Amelia has been foraging wild foods since 2006 and became a Certified Herbalist in 2018. Known for her grounded, earthy approach, Amelia hikes barefoot, lives off the land, and empowers others to heal themselves through the medicinal power of food and herbs. There’s a whole world of food and medicine right outside your own back door that she is excited to show you! 
Angela Hoffman
nussli118.com Class: The Art of Creating Mocktails Angela Hofmann is the founder of Nüssli118°, a woman- and minority-owned company dedicated to creating nutrient-dense, plant-based treats that nourish both body and mind. With a passion for clean ingredients and functional nutrition, Angela has been at the forefront of crafting delicious, whole-food snacks since 2014. She specializes in using adaptogens, mushrooms, and superfoods to promote wellness through food. In her workshops, she shares her deep knowledge of mindful eating, making it easy—and delicious—for others to incorporate these powerful ingredients into their daily routines. 
Carlos Tanner
ayahuascafoundation.org CLASS: Ayahuasca and Mental Health Carlos Tanner has been studying the science of ayahuasca and plant medicine in the Amazon Rainforest since 2003. He currently works as the director of the Ayahuasca Foundation, a non-profit organization he began in 2009 in Iquitos, Peru. He organizes healing retreats and educational courses led by indigenous healers, called curanderos, to help people in need of healing anything from depression to cancer or who are interested in learning the ancestral healing traditions of the Amazon. Since 2017, the Ayahuasca Foundation has also hosted plant medicine research looking into the effects of treatment with ayahuasca on depression, anxiety, and trauma. 
Cole Huang
CLASS: BIPOC Nature Therapy Walk Cole Huang (he/him) is a nature therapy guide who creates spaces that awaken the sensory experience of being in nature. A nature therapy walk involves a series of prompts that encourage participants to deeply notice their surroundings, followed by group gatherings to share about those experiences. Cole leads events in urban parks and forests in the Boston area on the unceded ancestral land of the Massachusett and Pawtucket peoples. He is certified by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy. 
Denise Rodriguez
eclipsicherbs.com CLASS: How to Address Hormone Imbalances with Plant Medicine Denise is a clinical herbalist, cycle and sexual health educator. She is the owner of Eclipsic Herbs, where she teaches in-depth cycle tracking and personalized cycle health support. Denise's work focuses on bridging together body literacy and plant medicine. She believes that our cycle is not our shackle, it is our compass. Her formal education and experience is rooted in western herbalism and weaving in folk herbalism from Colombia. She is certified as a Fertility Awareness educator with a focus on hormonal imbalances and pregnancy prevention. 
Evan Premo
thirdtoneproject.com CLASS: Third Tone Project: Brain Body Syncing to Induce Altered States of Consciousness Evan (he/him) creates musical experiences for exploring the intersection of consciousness, spirituality, healing, and artistic expression. His cutting-edge work traverses the boundaries of knowing through the language of sound. Evan’s compositions have been commissioned by the Pittsburgh Symphony Chamber Orchestra, The Pine Mountain Music Festival, and Aizuri Quartet, among others. Evan is the co-founder of Scrag Mountain Music and founder and artistic director of the genre-bending Beethoven and Banjos festival. When Evan's not performing and composing, he may be found communing with nature or tinkering with his latest homemade instrument. 
Grace Krupkowski
trilogyherbalism.com CLASS: Herbal Aphrodisiacs Trilogy Herbalism is founded by Grace Krupkowski, herbalist and educator. Trilogy Herbalism is located in Keene, New Hampshire and serves all of Northern New England and beyond. We seek to weave the power of personal agency, health justice, and medicinal plants together into cohesion. Many people gravitate towards the founder, Grace, as her unique perspective and personable, enthusiastic demeanor allow others to connect with and learn about medicinal plants. She has studied with Kenzie Khaliq of Wild Faith Wellness, the Boston School of Herbal Studies, California School of Herbal Studies, and is a graduate of the Family and Community Herbalist program at the Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism. 
Jade Alicandro
milkandhoneyherbs.com CLASS: Herbal Nootropics for Memory, Mental Clarity & Brain Health Jade Alicandro weaves a love of the bioregionally abundant herbs and kitchen medicine to her work as a community and clinical herbalist, and you can often find her roaming the hedges with her harvest basket in hand or at home in the kitchen brewing-up some potent food as medicine. She offers in-person apprenticeships, workshops and plant walks, online classes, virtual herbal wellness consultations, and hosts an online membership program, Viriditas. Her work is guided by the principles of mutual aid and revolves around self and community empowerment, food as medicine, accessibility, community resilience, folk medicine-making, locally abundant plants, and the sharing and spreading of herbal knowledge. She makes her home in the rolling hills of western Massachusetts on the traditional lands of the Nipmuc, Pocumtuc and Nonotuck. 
Katie Munn
CLASS: Nourishing Nervines anchorandroseapothecary.com Katie is a Clinical Herbalist, Nutritionist and Licensed Clinical Social Worker who offers herbal consultations and classes in Maine. Her fascination of plants and nature combined with her passion, creativity and love of assisting others has led her to being a teacher, therapist, clinical herbalist and maker of herbal potions. In her free time you are likely to find her gardening, frolicking with her pup Thistle, making herbal potions or baking wonderful gluten free treats! 
Khadija Khansia
CLASS: Painting with Plant Spirits: Channeling Botanical Energies through Watercolor Khadija (they/she) is a queer Gujarati-Muslim land tender, facilitator, and community medicine maker. Khadija loves to host intentional {soft} learning circles where folks can connect to one another and (re)connect to the plant world around them. 
Kris Gurky
DarkMoonandCo.com CLASS: Astro-Herbalism Plant Walk: As Above, So Below Kris Gurky is a natural intuitive and magickal herbal practitioner with Lithuanian and Celtic roots. She teaches herbalism, tarot, and intuitive development workshops worldwide. She is the proprietress of Dark Moon & Co., and creatrix of the Witch City Tarot Gathering in Salem MA. Kris earned an M.B.A. at Boston University, an M.S. in Herbal Medicine at the American College of Healthcare Sciences in Portland Oregon, and completed an herbalism apprenticeship at the Boston School of Herbal Studies. 
Lian Bruno
puffherbals.com CLASS: Holistic Hedonism: Herbs & Rituals for Mindful Indulgence Lian is a clinically-trained herbalist, herbal educator, and the founder of Puff Herbals, an herbal smoking brand on a mission to make mindful moments, not habits. She specializes in herbal harm reduction, exploring how herbalism can support both pleasure and recovery. Through her teaching and writing, Lian bridges the gap between holistic wellness and hedonism, helping people engage with indulgence more intentionally. She is passionate about bringing herbalism into real life, whether through smoking blends, plant allies for anxiety, or reframing pleasure as a vital part of well-being. 
Lisa Mase
thirdtoneproject.com harmonized-living.com CLASS: Third Tone Project: Brain Body Syncing to Induce Altered States of Consciousness BHCN, RHNC, Sound Therapist, Somatic Educator Lisa (they/she) co-founder of Third Tone Project, is a Nutritionist, Sound Therapist, and near death experiencer. Lisa trained in the wisdom traditions of her ancestral European Herbalism as well as Ayurveda, Mindful / Intuitive Eating, Somatic Integrations, and Chinese Five Element Theory to offer a comprehensive view of wellness. Lisa’s book, The Culinary Pharmacy, has gained critical acclaim. 
Maggie Ruth Haaland
maggieruthmends.com CLASS: Cyanotype for Seasonal Connection Maggie Ruth Haaland (they/she) is a queer fiber artist, natural dyer, visible mender, herbalist, and foot bath devotee. They came to all of these practices via the world of plants, looking to find more ways of incorporating their healing and magical properties into our everyday lives. She believes in softness, rest, and vulnerability and cultivating these things in community, and regularly facilitates workshops throughout New England. 
Michael Del Rio
farmschool.org CLASS: Mushroom Cultivation: Shiitake, Oysters & Beyond Michael Del Rio (they/them/x) is a forever student of life, always making space for the wonderful lessons we can learn from the more than human life, the land and other animate and inanimate forces of nature, and a farmer and teacher at The Farm School, working with hundreds of youths teaching them how to steward land, grow food and and care for our communities. As a community mushroom educator, Michael is fascinated at the beautiful and complex relationships formed by fungi among themselves and other life forms and environments, and of course they love to share this passion with anyone trying to learn more about mushrooms. This life work comes from the deep love and connection to the earth growing up surrounded by the Caribbean Sea under the Taino Sun on the Island of Ayti/Kiskeya watching their grandfather care for their family through tending his land. 
Nico Lebreux
wildheartherbhouse.com CLASS: Rose Medicine for Hope Nico Lebreux is a queer neurodivergent community herbalist, self care advocate, and herbal apothecary owner who operates Wild Heart Herb House in New Bedford, Massachusetts on unceeded territory of the Wampanoag Nation. Introducing others to herbalism and sharing how plants can benefit your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health is their passion. In Nico’s offerings there are no expectations and no judgments. She holds space for her students to strengthen their intuition, commune with the earth, and connect with source energy whatever that looks like and feels like for them. 
Ryn Midura
commonwealthherbs.com CLASS: Herb-Drug Interactions in the Real World Ryn Midura is an herbalist who didn't get outside enough as a kid, and is making up for lost time. He and Katja Swift founded CommonWealth Holistic Herbalism in 2011 to provide education and training to herbalists at all levels, from home hobby to clinical consultation. He is a preceptor for advanced practice pharmacy students at MCPHS University and Northeastern University. Ryn is particularly interested in the intersections of herbalism and movement practices: finding ways for movement to enhance herbal remedies, and for herbs to enable greater freedom in movement. A few of his favorite herbs are solomon's seal, calamus, pine, and evening primrose. 
Su Cousineau
taproothealing.com CLASS: Restorative Herb Circle Su Cousineau (she/her) of Taproot Healing is a local shiatsu practitioner, herbalist and educator. She maintains a practice in Jamaica Plain, supporting her clients in healing work and offering community workshops for over 20 years. Su is also a community gardener, a medicine-maker and low-key activist; she identifies as queer and always strives to offer compassionate, welcoming and collaborative care. 
Vero Light
spiritwiseherbs.com CLASS: Spirit Plant Walk - Connecting with the Green World and Trusting Intuition Vero is one half of Spirit Wise. She was trained in the many programs available at Misty Meadows Herbal Center in Lee, NH, under Wendy Fogg and has been practicing as a herbalist for 15 years. She is a Priestess and witch for her community and often speaks about plants' medicinal and magickal properties interchangeably, as well as the practice of gratitude and reciprocity necessary for both the art of herbalism and practicing the craft. She and Erika Shoukimas started Spirit Wise in 2017, with a plan to share the magick and medicine of plant allies with their communities. Spirit Wise offers many classes, workshops and community events with the intention to guide folks to their plant allies for their highest good and their path to healing themselves. |