Herbstalk's 2024 Teaching Team!
Alanna Birch
alannabirch.com CLASSES: Opening Ceremony // Resourcing for Resilience: Plant Allies for Earth Activism Alanna Birch is a holistic health practitioner, clinical herbalist and eco chaplain based in Western Massachusetts. She works at the intersection of plant-based medicine, education, spiritual care and deep nature connection. Alanna supports people to discover belonging and connection to their earthly and spiritual roots through nurturing relationships with the more than human world. Alanna works with clients 1:1 to support optimal vitality though herbs, nutrition, mindfulness practice and other complimentary modalities custom tailored to each person’s unique circumstances. Alida Moncada
ayamama.org ayahuascafoundation.org CLASSES: Healing Peruvian Traditions // How Psychedelics Empower Our Healing Potential Alida was born into a long familial lineage of herbalists and spiritual healers in Peru. She is certified in Biomagnetism, Family Constellations, Quantum Healing Technique -Past Life Regression (Level 2) and Touch for Health - Energy KInesiology (Level 3). Guided by her own intuitions and ancestral traditions, she combines modern knowledge and techniques with ancient wisdom and practices to provide a unique space for discovering the true roots of an affliction and the path forward to the pulling of those roots and the resolution of the afflictions. Barbara Aspland-Wolf
gardengate-herbals.com CLASS: Plant Communication Barbara Aspland-Wolf is an Herbalist, Flower Essence Practitioner, and Reiki Master/Teacher. Working with plants is a melding of her science background, plant medicine studies, and energy work. She is the owner of Garden Gate Herbals and a community herbal teacher. She is a member of the Northeast Herbal Association, and is a dedicated member of Plant Pioneers working to bring Plant-Human connectedness through workshops and trainings. Bhanu Patel
somaayurved.com CLASS: Agni and Ama: Boost Digestive Fire and Burn Toxins Bhanu Patel is a NAMA-certified Ayurvedic Practitioner who has dedicated herself to guiding individuals on their wellness paths with passion and expertise. She teaches students how to heal through diet, lifestyle, Ayurvedic therapies, and herbal remedies at the Ayurvedic Institute. Through personalized Ayurvedic consultations and transformative healing modalities, Bhanu facilitates journeys towards a happier and healthier life. Drawing from a commitment to ongoing learning and teaching experience, Bhanu creates a supportive space for wellness seekers to thrive. Carlos Tanner
ayamama.org ayahuascafoundation.org CLASS: How Psychedelics Empower Our Healing Potential 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. Chani Greiner
rootalchemy.com CLASS: Psychedelic Healing & Master Plants Chani is an herbalist, holistic health practitioner, and energy healer who is currently pursuing her Acupuncture License. She weaves together Wise Woman Shamanic Herbalism, Ayurveda, TCM, Quantum Healing & Psychology to offer you herbs, CBD, and wellness consultations through her work at Root Alchemy. Deb Fate-Mental
eldergroveshamanichealing.com CLASS: Plant Communication Deb Fate-Mental is an Herbalist and spirit worker who walks the path between the seen and unseen. She has a deep folkloric and medicinal knowledge of plant medicines based on many years of study with several teachers. Deb teaches and works from a deeply animistic perspective keeping in mind the sacredness of all life. She is owner of Elder Grove Shamanic Healing. Elise Bish
desirecatalyst.com CLASS: Plant Meditation & Sound Journey with Witch Hazel Elise Bish is a conscious sexuality educator, folk herbalist, sound healer and desire coach with over a decade of experience in the field of sexuality. She believes that sex is sacred, pleasure is healing, and desire is our motivation to grow. In her 1:1 coaching, workshops, and retreats, Elise creates a space where people of all genders can explore and heal their relationship to their desire, their sexuality, and their bodies in a shame-free, non-judgmental environment. Grace Harrington Murdoch
flowersandstarsshop.com graceharringtonmurdoch.com CLASS: Flower Essences to Balance your Natal Chart Grace is an astrologer, teacher, flower essence practitioner, author and healer. She teaches people how to embrace their shadow & amplify their light through all her bodies of work. She has been teaching Polarity therapy, Narrative Astrology, Reiki and Flower Essence Crafting for many years, sharing all that she has learned with her community. It’s not uncommon for people to come out of the spiritual closet after being around her and learning from her. It is her philosophy that through understanding our natal chart and our soul essence, we can truly learn to love and accept every part of ourselves and come home to the wholeness we were born with. Irischa Valentín
CLASS: Plant Allies for Resilience Irischa is a community herbalist based on the Wôpanâak/Massachusett lands. She has been formally studying and learning from plant-healing medicines since 2013. Irischa brings her Caribbean culture and connection into her plant-spirit world. She enjoys sharing wisdom about plant-healing medicines through workshops, discussions, and community-centered events. Her belief in social justice & equity drives her herbal work to often marginalized and historically oppressed communities. She is co-creatress of a Black and Brown, femme led healing collective-The Brujx Healing Collective who strive to make ancestral healing visible, accessible, and remembered. Julia Demillones Moore
moonbeamsteams.com CLASS: Steam My What? Vaginal Steaming Demystified Julia Demillones Moore (she/her) is a pelvic steam practitioner, home herbalist, mother, cycle awareness educator & advocate for body sovereignty. Julia utilizes vaginal 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. It is a joy for her to bring steaming into people’s lives and to hold space for epic transformations that steaming so often facilitates. Kasey Sampson
CLASS: Soak & Restore INTENSIVE Kasey is the Lead Teacher of the Devereux@Waring 4th & 5th Grade Program on the Waring Campus in Beverly. She is a certified yoga instructor and practicing herbalist on the North Shore. She enjoys spending time volunteering and teaching herbals classes at Newhall Fields Community Farm in Peabody, Ma where local sustainability of medicinal herbs and education about them are a focal point. Lauren Almquist
heartspaceherbals.com CLASS: Herbs that Calm: Divine Nervines Lauren Almquist is an herbalist and garden coach who believes there is no such thing as a green thumb. She helps people that love plants grow their own herbs for food, medicine, and joy. Through Heartspace Herbals & Garden Design, Lauren offers customized healing herbal garden creation support and coaching, and education that supports the ecosystem. Lauren studied herbalism and plant spirit healing at the Gaia School of Healing in Vermont and has learned the most from direct experience with the plants. Linda Patterson
herbsandaromatics.org CLASS: Palmistry as a Tool of Diagnosis Linda Patterson, M.A. founder and director of Herbs and Aromatics and co-director for the Boston School of Herbal Studies. She has over thirty years of experience working with and teaching herbs, essential oils, and palmistry. Her dynamic style of teaching encompasses a wide variety of healing modalities, which embrace a holistic approach to health and well-being. Lois Contreras Gutierrez
www.lolatheplantlady.com CLASS: Intro to Urban Gardening & Houseplants 101 Lois a.k.a. Lola is an educator of over 10 years, teaching topics from creative writing to Urban Gardening 101. She is a 200hr certified yoga instructor, doula, and houseplant & garden consultant. Nothing brings her more joy than sharing her love and knowledge of plants with others. Ma Prem Sudip
CLASS: Healing Movement & Plant Stories Ma Prem Sudip received her B.A. in Psychology from Boston University College of Arts and Sciences. She studied at Eurythmy Spring Valley in NY and graduated in 2016 with her artistic and pedagogical diplomas. She earned her therapeutic diploma from Therapeutic Eurythmy Training in America, in Copake NY, in 2019. Sudip was fulltime faculty at the Waldorf School of Baltimore for five years. Before discovering eurythmy she pursued life as a painter and muralist. Sudip enjoys Tai Chi, running, poetry, the fragrance of beautiful living flowers and music from all over the world. Melissa Laurita Kohl
HerbsPastaMagic.com CLASS: HERBS+PASTA=MAGIC: The Art of Medicinal Comfort Food Melissa is an Italian American mama, herbalist, artist, writer, farmer, and masciara (Lucanian folk magic practitioner) who has spent 26 years in deep study and relationship with plants as a gardener, permaculturist, forager, home cook, and teacher. She teaches herbalism through pasta making in person, online, and through her first book, "HERBS+PASTA=MAGIC: The Art of Medicinal Comfort Food". In this increasingly abstract technological world, slowing down to put hands on dough is a balm for our souls. It connects us to an ancient tradition that is fundamentally human and absolutely delicious. Mo Katz-Christy
mokatzchristy.com CLASS: Taste the Molecular Rainbow Mo Katz-Christy (they/them) is a queer Ashkenazi Jewish herbalist born and raised in Cambridge, MA on Massachusett and Pawtucket 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 the Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism in 2022. In addition to teaching, they work one on one with clients and offer herbal landscaping. Parama Chattopadhyay
CLASS: Vegetative Propagation to Music
Parama is the Executive Director of the non-profit Out of the Blue Community Arts at the Armory. She currently teaches neurodivergent youth at Walker Beacon High School and has been certified as a Massachusetts math and science teacher since 2008. She is a professional violinist, actress, and general polymath. She graduated from MIT in 2006 and then served as the Web and Marketing Director of Adoption and Foster Care Mentoring from 2007-2008, where she first started sharing her love for propagating plants. Since then, she has worked with propagation of plants and looking at the relationship between various types of music and its effect on plant growth. Parama propagates and gardens in her leisure time, and believes education should always be fun, intensive, and student-centered. Ryn Midura
commonwealthherbs.com CLASS: Clinical Skills 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. Sara Reigler
saraelenariegler.com CLASS: Softening Into Color: Natural Dyeing as Ritual INTENSIVE Sara is an artist and plant lover based in Abenaki homelands in southern Vermont. She currently works primarily with textiles, botanical dye, printmaking, and gardening as mediums. She loves textiles and plants for the same reasons she loves just about anything: for their capacity to bring human souls together in sincere connection, reverence, and mutual delight. And isn't that the point of it all? Susan Daniel
seaglassyoga.com/service-descriptions.html CLASS: Faerie Plant Walk Susan Daniel, outgoing president for NHHN, served for two years in that role. She has been working with herbal remedies since childhood. She experienced her first “aha” moment while suffering from a sore throat. Her step-Grandmother, an Eclectic member of the Mansfield, OH Chapter of AHG, handed her a piece of wood to chew on…a slippery elm stem covered with silver oxide! It was a quick cure. Susan first studied herbology with Elisa Adams who taught the James Jenks certification course, then completed a 4-year apprenticeship at the Boston School of Herbal Studies; Followed by an apprenticeship with Tommy Priester on HMI Therapy (Shamanistic Psychology). Susan continues to grow, make and teach blending herbal teas & flower essences from backyard herbs in New Hampshire. Tony(a) Lemos
tonyalemosarts.com CLASS: Art That Breathes Tony(a) Lemos is a published writer, community herbalist, ecological activist, artist and beloved mentor. A lifelong environmentalist and plant person, she works at the intersection of herbalism and art. She believes art and creativity to be an integral part of the healing process. Her work centers around well-being, creativity, connection, and co-existence. Tony(a) has worked as a community herbalist and educator for over 25 years, helping people connect with plants as allies for physical, mental, and spiritual healing. She currently teaches an annual year-long herbal apprenticeship, now in its 24th year, as well as a botanical art studio program at Blazing Star Herbal School in Conway, MA. |
Alex Klein
alexkleinherbalist.com CLASSES: Plant Walk // Tree Walk Hi, I'm Alex Klein, your local Boston-area herbalist. I run a humble clinical practice in Allston, where I work with individuals on a range of health issues to find ease and feel better using primarily herbs I have gathered or grown myself. I also teach classes throughout the year in the Boston area on all sorts of plant related topics and run a monthly herbalism program called the Puddingstone School. Amanda Curcuru
livemoremagick.com CLASS: Conscious Conception Amanda is a passionate herbalist and devoted enthusiast of all things holistic health. She is the proud owner of Live More Magick. Her heart and soul are woven into the tapestry of holistic health, with a special focus on Conception Conception through Motherhood. Amanda Stanley
jupiterslabyrinth.com CLASSES : Wild Weed Wander // Empowered Reflection Amanda CHP, CRIVPT, (she/her/hers), has been studying, practicing & offering integrative herbalism & Usui Reiki to the NH Seacoast for over 17 years. Combining a broad spectrum of practices Amanda includes Ayurveda, astrology, traditional western herbal practices, Reiki, and Spiritual Ritual & Art to create an inclusive & 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. Amanda is physically located in the NH Seacoast area & shares her offerings in person & online. Benoit Azagoh-Kouadio
roundthebendfarm.org CLASS: Psychedelics and Safety INTENSIVE Benoit Azagoh-Kouadio lives and practices holistic farm management 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 annual vegetables, flowers, perennial crops, berries, tree fruit, edible mushrooms, and culinary and medicinal herbs. He is a survivor of Lyme disease and a lifelong student (occasional teacher) of herbal medicine. He has been extensively involved, locally and nationally, in efforts supporting public awareness, community organizing, and clinical scientific research of psychedelic medicines for 17 years and is a passionate advocate for their role in society. Carla Pantuosco
theseasonalsociety.com CLASS: LunarSolar Yoga Practice Carla has been studying and teaching various yoga practices for over a dozen years. Her yoga is very approachable (not to be mistaken with “easy”) and truly is available to all body types and backgrounds. Over the years she has learned how incredibly important it is to honor the astrological calendar within her own asana practice. Most recently, Carla has begun her own self-betterment business, The Seasonal Society, where she full-heartedly promotes connecting astrology to everyday living, and intuitively connects her clients and following to useful seasonal practices, rituals and intentions. Carla is here to advance the collective wellbeing by highlighting seasonal abundance through yoga, meditation and everyday rituals. Darlene Flores
karayawellness.com CLASS: Opening Ceremony Dr. Darlene Flores was born to Borikua parents and was raised in the Metro area of Massachusetts. She continues the legacy of her family as a holistic huesero (bone setter) and holistic energy worker to treat patients of all ages and walks of life. Known for her activism and advocacy for more holistic medicine to be taught and practiced in the BIPOC community, Dr. Flores prides herself in preserving the ancestral ways to raise her three children and serve Native/ Indigenous communities. Dr. Flores is a traditional Medicine Keeper for her Taino Higuayagua Caribbean Tribe. She is also a highly decorated United States Veteran. She obtained her Doctorate degree from Life Chiropractic College West in California. Dr. Flores owns and operates Karaya Wellness Clinic, located in Brookline, MA. She relocated to Brookline in late 2019, after her practice in Puerto Rico was devastated by Hurricane Maria. Denise Rodriguez
eclipsicherbs.com CLASS: How to Build an Herbal Blend for Your Cycle Denise is a clinical herbalist, cycle and sexual health educator. Her work focuses on bridging together body literacy and plant medicine. She believes that the first step to supporting and caring for our cycle is to understand them. She’s had formal education in western herbalism with a vitalist perspective, while weaving together folk herbalism from Colombia. She’s the owner of Eclipsic Herbs, where she teaches in depth cycle tracking and has herbal consultations. Francie Latour
weethepeopleboston.org CLASS: Heroes for Food Justice!: An Art and Storytime Workshop for Kids Francie Latour (she/her) is an educator, children's book author, and director of the racial justice project Wee The People. Founded by two Black Boston mothers in 2015, Wee The People creates high-impact, interactive learning experiences that center Black joy and explore the power of resistance. Gayle Nogas
gaylesthyme.com CLASS: Kitchen Spice Medicine Gayle Nogas M H; was the founder and proprietor of Gayle’s Thyme Herbal Apothecary in Enfield, CT. She offered classes, demonstrations and workshops using herbs and aromatherapy for healing mind, body, and spirit. Through her 40 years as an herbalist, Gayle has taught classes in many aspects of herbalism. 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. Gayle offers educating lectures and talks to the general public on the many ways of using herbs for medicinal and culinary purposes. Iris Weaver
irisweaver.com CLASS: Urban Foraging Ramble Iris Weaver is an herbalist and foraging instructor who leads plant walks on finding and using edible and medicinal plants in urban, suburban, and rural settings. She also teaches classes and hands-on workshops on making natural herbal skincare and herbal medicines, and natural dyeing. With a deep love of the plants, she grows and wildcrafts many of the herbs she uses in her products and medicines, and has been doing so for decades. Jenn Pipp
jennpipp.com CLASS: Native Plants: A Quickstart Guide Jenn Pipp integrates their their passions for art, education, botany, and conservation. Having graduated from the Native Plant Trust's Basic Core botany program, they are advancing their studies in horticulture and design. Over the summer, they held the position of Nursery Assistant at Blue Stem Natives. In academia, Jenn serves as an Adjunct Professor in the Digital Media Department at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, where they inspire students to think critically about their media ecosystem. Their media art showcased online the natural world with technology, reflecting on humanity's connection to the environment. Julie Hundley
CLASS: Cannabis as Medicine I am a retired teacher, biodynamic gardener, herbalist, forager and beekeeper. My healing garden, Sunnyknoll, is a place I welcome others, some from WWOOF, to come, explore, learn and heal. I view this property as a sacred place: private and quiet, surrounded by woodlands and waterways, where the plants and other relatives in the natural world are the teachers. They are honored in how we grow, nurture, harvest and give thanks for. My most influential teacher is Deb Soule of Avena Botanicals. Kris Gurky
DarkMoonSalem.com CLASSES : Herbs for Intuition: Creating a Magickal Connection // Witches' Weed Walk Kris Gurky is a herbalist who blends knowledge of herbal medicine with magickal practice. She grew up with a strong connection to the earth by foraging the New England woods with her Lithuanian grandmother. Kris has led Witches' Herbal Walks in Salem, MA for the past decade and teaches magickal herbalism, tarot, and intuitive development classes worldwide. She earned a Master of Science in Herbal Medicine at the American College of Healthcare Sciences, completed an herbal apprenticeship at the Boston School of Herbal Studies, is the owner of Dark Moon Salem & Co., and the creator of the Witch City Tarot Gathering in Salem, MA. Lian Bruno
puffherbals.com CLASS: Herbal Smoking Blends 101 Lian is a clinically-trained herbalist, herbal educator, and the founder of Puff Herbals, an herbal wellness brand centered around the ritual of smoking. Through Puff Herbals, she advocates herbalism for smokers of all plants with tobacco-free alternatives and harm reduction education. When not working on Puff Herbals, Lian enjoys teaching about psychoactive plants and how to bridge the gap between holistic wellness and hedonism. Maggie Ruth Haaland
maggieruthmends.com CLASS: Softening Into Color: Natural Dyeing as Ritual INTENSIVE Maggie Ruth Haaland (they/she) is a natural dyer, visible mender and herbalist living in Jamaica Plain, MA on unceded Massachusett and Pawtucket land. They have taught at the Eliot school, Cloth Collaborative, Cambridge Naturals, and Harvard Art Museums, and believe deeply in the transformative power of relating to plants and each other with care and intention. She is so very grateful for the Herbstalk community! Maggie Hatzpanian
maggieshealingpath.com CLASS: Edible and Medicinal Plant Walk At Maggie’s Healing Path we believe in the power of nature to restore and maintain human health and well-being. My journey began with a simple mission: to offer my personal wellness practices and the things that have helped to keep me healthy, well, balanced & happy! I carefully formulate & create all my herbal products, using locally sourced plants, in small batches here in Rhode Island where I live & work. My products offer a natural, effective alternative to conventional medicine. I also offer individual herbal consultations and ongoing herbal educational programs. My commitment to sustainability and ethical sourcing is at the heart of everything I do. Mischa Schuler
WildCarrotHerbs.com CLASS: Menstrual Ease INTENSIVE Mischa Schuler has been blending tea and tincture formulas for over twenty years, making plenty of mistakes, and doing her best to learn from them. When she's stumped, she sits in the garden or takes a long walk in the woods, listening. She's now director of Wild Carrot Herbs, practicing a mix of clinical herbalism, craniosacral therapy, and energetic skills in her garden yurt in Portland, Maine, supporting adults and teens with ceremony, herbal preparations, and somatic integration. Mischa facilitates classes, retreats, and apprenticeships focused on engagement of the senses, relationship with the plants, and connection to one’s ancestors. Molly Branch
bloomdewherbs.com CLASS: Weaving Ritual with Plant Spirits Molly Branch is a clinically trained folk herbalist living on the New Hampshire seacoast. She is passionate about connecting with the earth, the plants, and the old ways and loves to help others weave these rituals into their daily lives. Her other special interest is in female hormone health and wellness and is newly offering pelvic steams. Molly works at The Herbal Path Pharmacy in Portsmouth, NH where she offers consultations, workshops, and seasonal potions. Rowan Walker
ofhawthornandyew.com CLASS: Reweaving Cultural Herbalisms rowan walker (they/them) is a qt herbalist, researcher, facilitator and anarchist. Through their practice, of hawthorn and yew, rowan teaches, writes, and supports queer community through 1:1 care. They are passionate about facilitating spaces for folks of Celtic Isles’ descent on Turtle Island/N America to reconnect to ancestral lineage, reweave plant kin connection and deepen into relations with the holy wild. Shea Rose
shearose.com CLASS: Embodied Voice & Yoga Shea Rose is a Grammy-award-winning recording artist, a certified 500-hour Yoga instructor, and a professor at Berklee College of Music. She is the founder of Embodied Voice & Yoga, an internal healing arts practice that aims to enhance the connection between the mind, body, and voice. Through 1:1 coaching, classes, and retreat programs, Shea helps individuals develop their creativity, improve their overall health and wellness, and advance their artistic aspirations. Her programs and practice are at the intersection of artist development, entrepreneurship, and health and wellness. Su Cousineau
taproothealing.com CLASS: Soothing Heart and Mind 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, identifies as queer and always strives to offer compassionate, welcoming and collaborative care. Tommy Priester
BearMedicineHolisticServices.com CLASS: Emergency First Aid with Herbs Tommy Priester is a Clinical Herbalist, Wellness Counselor and founder of Bear Medicine Holistic Services & Heart Mind Integration Healing. Tommy's a practicing Clinical Herbalist and holistic counselor since 1998. He combines extensive knowledge of Western herbalism, shamanism, spiritual healing, aromatherapy, holistic nutrition with ancient wisdom traditions from Native American, Chinese and other cultures. Tommy is a masterful teacher and facilitator who combines expert knowledge of his subject with gentle humor. In addition to his own workshops and seminars he continues to be a faculty member at The Boston School of Herbal Studies for 20 years running. |