Many conventional drugs originate from plant sources: a century ago, most of the few effective drugs were plant-based. Examples include aspirin (from willow bark), digoxin (from foxglove), quinine (from cinchona bark), and morphine (from the opium poppy). The development of drugs from plants continues, with drug companies engaged in large-scale pharmacologic screening of herbs.
 

I began studying herbal medicine as a child in my mother’s garden. Every chance I got I was deep in the “weeds” looking for medicines to concoct poultices and teas. Since then I have studied Native American, Western European, Chinese, South American and Ayurvedic herbology. After completing my first Clinical Herbal Certification I taught herbal medicine at the Blue Heron Academy of Healing Arts for 3 years before focusing on my private practice. Herbs, both culinary and medicinal are a sacred gift to us on this Earth and there is no end to the healing power they offer. It is an incredible passion of mine and one which I hope to continue until my last breath. I continue my studies in herbal medicine, gardening and making medicine, there is always so much more to learn.