Full access for the 3 + day event with digital access to notes and recordings from the conference for 72 hours after closing of event.
Full access for the 3 + day event PLUS get 3 years of access to all conference recordings of workshops from the event and an E-Book of Teacher's notes!
Full Access for the 3 + day event PLUS: 3 years access to all recordings, E-Book and Hard Copy of Teacher's notes & extras including: Discounts on future VIHG & KHC tickets. 3-month membership to the WRC online village and special gifts from our sponsors.
Our commitment is to bring you a deep and rich learning experience and an engaging exploration of herbalism in Canada today.
Our hope is to build resilience in our herbal community and to deepen the connection of every participant to the healing power of plant medicine and the natural world.
Our action is to create an online space for educational exploration and celebratory collaboration around all walks of herbal medicine.
Botanist, medical biochemist, author
Botanist, medical biochemist and author DIANA BERESFORD-KROEGER possesses a unique combination of western scientific training and an understanding of the knowledge and methods of a wide variety of traditional and alternative sources.
She works to bring a better understanding and appreciation of the scientific complexities of nature to the general public.
Beresford-Kroegers' concept of bio-planning challenges ordinary people to
develop a new relationship with the natural world, to view the environment as a biological system, and to perform the ecological task of replanting the
global forest.
Her books include:
The Sweetness of a Simple Life,
The Global Forest,
Arboretum Borealis: A Lifeline of the Planet,
Arboretum America: A Philosophy of the Forest, and A Garden for Life.
Beresford-Kroeger was inducted as a Wings Worldquest fellow in 2010, she was elected as a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society in 2011, and in 2016 the Society named her one of 25 women explorers of Canada.
A feature documentary about her
work, the Canadian Screen Awards-nominated Call of the Forest: The
Forgotten Wisdom of Trees, appeared in 2017.
Her latest book is To Speak for the Trees: My Life’s Journey From Ancient Celtic Wisdom To a Healing Vision of the Forest.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diana_Beresford-Kroeger
https://www.oala.ca/ground_articles/diana-beresford-kroeger/
RHT (CHAofBC)
Professionally involved in the Healing Arts for over twenty years, Colleen brings a diverse toolbox of skills that have been honed through formal education, apprenticeship, clinical experience and connection to generational folk arts.
Formally studying with The Wild Rose College, East West School of Planetary Herbology, the Pacific Institute of Aromatherapy and the New York Institute of Aromatic Studies and most recently with David Winston's Centre for Herbal Studies, Colleen commits to the pathway of lifelong learning. Colleen maintains professional membership as a Registered Herbal Therapist (RHT) with the Canadian Herbalist's Association of British Columbia (CHAofBC).
Educated and experienced in both Eastern and Western focused Herbal Medicine and Clinical Aromatherapy & Aromatic Medicine, Colleen's practice specializes in Family Wellness, Pre and Post Natal Wellness and Eldercare providing affordable care for all ages.
After having an urban, home based practice for over a decade, Colleen created Emery Herbals Dispensary, Healing Suites and Teaching Centre in rural West Kootenay Mountains in 2012. Emery Herbals provides open access to consciously sourced botanicals, professional health services and empowering education experiences that encourage and cultivate sustained wellness.
Colleen is passionate about empowering individuals and families to take charge of their wellness through fostering traditional skills and connection to the natural world. Offering a dynamic array of programs and workshops for both adults and children, Colleen is sought out to speak on numerous topics.
Colleen sits as Vice-Chair on the West Kootenay Permaculture Cooperative Association’s Board of Directors working to encourage local food security through education and community outreach. Colleen also sits as a general board of director with the CHAofBC. Colleen co-organizes the Kootenay Herb Conference, & the Canadian Herb Conference and is on the faculty of the Wild Rose College.
Children's Herbal Medicine
FERMENTATION Through the SEASONS: A Focus on Cold Weather Fermenting
Clinical Herbalist, Author, Ph.D. Herbal Elder
For over forty years, Terry Willard, Cl.H.,Ph.D., has studied the medicinal properties of plants. He is recognized as one of North America’s leading Clinical Herbalists. He appears regularly in the print and electronic media as an exponent of responsible herbal use. He is the past-president of the Canadian Association of Herbal Practitioners, past president of the Canadian Council of Herbalist Associations, a professional member of the American Herbalist Guild and in the Canadian Health Food Association’s Hall of Fame.
Dr. Willard is the author of twelve books on the subject of Herbs including the pivotal Wild Rose Herbal Series – a series of three textbooks written to educate herbalists. Two of his books, Mind-Body Harmony and Dr. Willard Flower Essence: Emotional Alchemy and Spiritual Evolution, have been particularly popular with the general public.
Terry retired from clinical practice in 2015. He is a director of the Wild Rose College of Natural Healing, which serves both on-line and correspondence students around the world.
He lectures on the main lecture circuit to trade shows and MLM rallies, training sessions for the Health Food Industry, Pharmacy Industry, Mass Market Industry.
He does many radio interviews and TV spots every year.
Terry has semi-retired to an organic herb farm on Vancouver Island.
https://www.drterrywillard.com
How does Botanical Medicine Work
Cannabis as Medicine for Body, Mind and Spirit
Mushrooms for Physical and Spiritual Healing
Clinical Herbalist
Ember Peters is a Western clinical herbalist and educator based in K’jipuktuk, Mi’kma’ki (Halifax, Nova Scotia).
Ember has been in clinical practice since 2014, focusing on providing accessible herbal care to people with complex chronic illnesses.
Guided by nature, their practice integrates scientific knowledge with energetic systems including Western herbalism traditions, the latest scientific research, phytochemistry, physiology, flower essence therapy, and holistic nutrition.
Ember is a Registered Herbal Practitioner with the Herbalist Association of Nova Scotia (HANS).
She has taught widely about herbalism at conferences and schools including the Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism, the American Herbalists Guild Symposium, the Dandelion Seed Conference, The Wild Seed School of Herbal Studies, and the Elderberry Academy.
They recognize community-based holistic health as a tangible step towards collective and individual liberation and resilience.
Ember is a gender non-conforming settler of Ashkenazi Jewish and Greek ancestry and uses she or they pronouns.
Building An Accessible Herbal Practice
Trans-Inclusive Care for Herbalists
Herbal Elder, Author, and Fun-gi
Robert has been a student of plant medicine most of his adult life. He is a professional member of the American Herbalist Guild and author of over 50 books on medicinal plants of Western Canada. Robert has a Bachelor’s Degree in Botany. He has taught plant medicine for over 40 years and is an avid fan of our indigenous plants and mushrooms. Robert has had a long career in the alternative health field. Robert is recognized as an Herbal Elder with 50 years of work as an herbalist. Robert taught for over thirty years, including 10 years at Grant McEwan University, and 15 at Northern Star College in Edmonton. He did 18 years of clinical practice. He works as a consultant to various boards and industries advising growers and creating herbal formulas.
Robert and his wife Laurie are owners of Self Heal Distributing and Scents of Wonder essential oils. Robert is the co-director of the Earth Spirit Medicine Program, at Northern Star College.
Medicinal Mushrooms: The Human Clinical Trials
Creative Visionary, Intuitive Chef, Nutritionist
Malcolm Saunders’ mission is to deeply connect people to their food. He has worked in the field of food and nutrition for close to 20 years and is the owner & creative visionary of The Light Cellar.
Malcolm is a public speaker and intuitive chef who specializes in sharing the alchemy of superfoods and superherbs. Through his videos, workshops and seminars he has helped thousands of individuals recreate their relationship to food.
He has an expertise and passion for creating and teaching others how to make energizing and healing foods, including chocolate, elixirs and ferments.
Malcolm’s desire is to inspire others to live and eat from a space that honours the sacredness of all Life, illuminating the power of influence our food choices have on ourselves, other beings, and the planet we live on.
Business Success Strategies for Herbalists and Plant Loving Folk
PhD, Pharmacology Researcher
Pierre currently works at the Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, where he does research in Natural Health Products, Indigenous Traditional Medicine and metabolic diseases such as metabolic syndrome, obesity and diabetes. His current project is 'CIHR Team in Aboriginal Antidiabetic Medicines.'
Université de Montréal
C.P 6128 Succ. Centre-ville / P.O. Box 6128, Downtown Postal Station
Montreal (Quebec)
Canada H3C 3J7
Cell: +1-514-578-8506
Pages Web:
https://pharmacologie-physiologie.umontreal.ca/recherche/chercheurs/pierre-s-haddad/
http://www.taam-emaad.umontreal.ca/
Ethical considerations and challenges for academic research on Indigenous Traditional Medicine
Bridging modern science and Indigenous traditional medicine: Aboriginal Antidiabetic Medicines
Registered Herbalist (AHA)
Currently an Instructor of the Cannabis and Health Specialist Diploma program at Elevated Learning Academy, Jeananne spent several years as a medical cannabis educator at Harvest Medicine Clinic in Calgary.
In addition to being a cannabis educator, Jeananne has been a Calgary clinical herbalist since 2005.
She has Master and Clinical Herbalist Diplomas from Wild Rose College of Natural Healing.
Seeing the emergence of medical cannabis in 2016, Jeananne sought to learn more about the humble herb, but found there to be a lack of courses on how to use cannabis for medical purposes.
Understanding that her fellow herbalists would need to know about this plant, Jeananne created the Cannabis Medicine for Herbalists
Certificate, which to date has been taught to over 400 students.
Jeananne has also co-written cannabis courses with Dr. Richa Love of CannU.ca, and Dr. Terry Willard of Wild Rose College of Natural Healing. She is a founding member and past President of the Alberta Herbalists Association, and served for many years
as a board member with the Canadian Council of Herbal Associations.
Jeananne lives in Calgary, AB and is available for private online consultations.
"I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge that land where I live, work, and play, is the traditional territories of the peoples of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Blackfoot First Nation tribes of Siksika, the Piikuni, the Kainai, the Stoney Nakoda First Nations tribes of Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Wesley and the Tsuut’ina First Nation. The city of Calgary is also homeland to the historic Northwest Métis and to Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3."
Website: jeanannelaing.com
Facebook: jeananne.laing
Twitter: @jeanannelaing
Instagram: @enhealthment
Herbal Elder, Traditional Medicine Maker
Laurie Lacey is a traditional medicine maker, naturalist, writer and painter, of mixed ancestry, including Mi’kmaq and Irish. He has been involved with aboriginal medicine, herbalism, and ethnobotany, since 1974. He is the author of several publications, including, Mikmaq Medicines: Remedies and Recollections, Medicine Walk: Reconnecting to Mother Earth, 1999. The book, Mi’kmaq Medicines , has become an Atlantic Canadian bestseller.
During his many years of involvement with the medicine plants and trees, Laurie has given countless formal presentations, informal talks, workshops and medicines walks, throughout Nova Scotia and elsewhere, including at the Herbal Association of Nova Scotia (HANS) Herb Fairs, Mi’kmaq First Nation events, National Parks, Schools, to Scouts and Guides, and at other Health,
Wellness, and cultural events.
Laurie Lacey is a storyteller, as well as a medicine maker. He can relate many stories and anecdotes about his life with the plants and trees, the animals and birds, and other wonderful “Beings” of the forests and fields, lakes, streams, and ocean.
Laurie graduated from Dalhousie University (King’s College) in 1975 with an Honours B.A. in Anthropology (specializing in Ethnobotany). In 1978 he went on to study Folk Medicine at Memorial University of Newfoundland, specializing in Mi’kmaq medicine research – plant, tree, and animal medicines, frequenting the aboriginal communities, of Eskasoni, Shubinacadie, Mill Brook, Wildcat (Molega), and Gold River, Nova Scotia.
He also spent time at Conne River, them largest Mi’kmaq community in Newfoundland. He was taught aboriginal plant and tree medicines (including many of the green stemmed classic herbs) by a number of Medicine Makers
and Elders.
From 1980-2020 his primary focus has been as an educator, teaching the traditional plant medicines to Native and non-Native children and adults. In this manner, and especially through interpretive medicine walks, he connects individuals to the natural world, to the living plants and trees of the forests and fields. Living plants are powerful medicine companions.
He also offers consultations on health and wellness issues. Those consultations have increased in recent years. His clients are both aboriginal and non-aboriginal residents. When working with people on a one on one basis, he follows aboriginal medicine maker traditions, focusing on local plants and trees, as remedies. Although there are exceptions, he rarely recommends foreign or exotic herbs. He values the living plants as the best medicine, and wishes to help people develop a relationship with the plant(s) and/or tree(s) that heal them.
In keeping with Mi’kmaq medicine traditions, he treats many of his clients with medicinal teas and drinks, and external bathing solutions, the latter often composed of combinations of tree barks.
Laurie can be credited for first introducing Mi’kmaq medicines to the non-native communities of eastern Canada, and has since helped spread great interest in these traditions, well beyond the Maritimes.
Website: Natural Healing Talk http://www.naturalhealingtalk.com/
Clinical Herbalist
Savayda Jarone has been on the plant path for nearly 30 years; since her life-altering discovery of herbal medicine in a quaint courtyard in Covent Garden, London.
She is Nova Scotian, residing on the rugged Eastern Shore where she is currently in “gardening school”, learning to build soil on a rocky landscape, with the goal of creating herbal teaching gardens. She operates a herbal clinic and apothecary in Halifax, also home to her school, the Bloom Institute of Holistic Living & Learning, a hub for herbal and health education in the Maritimes.
She is now in her 22 nd year of clinical practice, specializing in women’s health, baby/child care, digestion, immune health, stress, and endocrine balance. She is a Fertility Awareness educator, helping women and couples to plan or prevent pregnancy naturally.
Before discovering herbal medicine, Savayda wanted to become a language interpreter; little did she know that her focus would become the language of plants. Savayda shines as a bridge between the plant/people worlds; she offers various courses for children and adults, herb walks, and workshops throughout the Maritimes, connecting people with local and native plant medicines.
Her love and awe of plants is contagious. Savayda has always been an enthusiastic promoter of the profession of herbal medicine, working as a founding member of the Canadian Council of Herbalist Associations since its birth in 2005, as well as an active member of the Herbalist Association of Nova Scotia since 2002.
She is honoured to walk the path of ancient and modern herbalists, and is dedicated to building momentum in the revival of the practice of herbal medicine, which in her experience holds many of the answers for genuine health and healing. She is delighted to play a role in the emergence of new herbal practitioners in Canada by offering clinical training practicums in person and online
at the Bloom Institute.
She would like to acknowledge her beginnings as a herb student in Vancouver, where she attended Dominion Herbal College to complete the four-year Phytotherapy Program from the School of Phytotherapy in England, as well as her practical training in medicine making, Ayurveda and Haida medicine with Don Ollsin. She owes many thanks to her mentor, Chanchal Cabrera, who provided the opportunity to learn on the job while working at Gaia Garden Herbals in Vancouver for 5 years, in the company of other eminent herbalists.
She looks forward to connecting with friends and herbal colleagues from British Columbia and everywhere in between during the 2020 Canadian Herb Conference.
https://bloominstitute.ca/
Community Herbalist
Women, Québec and Herbalism
A Feminist History of Herbal Medicine (English)
Herbal Jedi
Yarrow Willard is a Clinical/Master Herbalist, co-owner/formulator at Harmonic Arts, and director of Wild Rose College of Natural Healing.
Yarrow is a second-generation Herbalist that has been steeped in the world of plant medicine since birth.
He has spent much of his life growing knowledge and experience around reclaiming wellness, vibrant living, and deepening connections with the natural world.
Yarrow is an active content contributor via blogs, articles, social media and over 100 Youtube videos.
He has developed and brought to market a number of successful herbal products, and is an influential innovator in the Canadian health food market.
As a speaker, teacher, entrepreneur and plant medicine advocate, Yarrow is highly engaging, dynamic and entertaining- continually delivering rich and original content.
His insights into the modern world stem from a holistic infusion of scientific validation, old world knowledge and a sprinkle of magic.
Many of Yarrow's offerings are based on health empowering practices with plant medicine, advanced nutrition, sensory perception, natural alignment, and more.
Earth Medicine Upgrades - 2020 and Beyond
Sustainability and Ethical Sourcing Panel
Mushrooms for Physical and Spiritual Healing
Western Herbalism, Islamic Herbalism, Ayurveda, Alchemy
Talal Al-Hamad is a man of many talents. He is an herbalist with a diverse background in many natural healing modalities. He utilizes a unique east meets west approach to imbalances and disease, with great efficacy.
He has been a student of various holistic modalities including:
-Traditional Western Herbalism
-Islamic Herbalism
-Ayurveda
-Homeopathy
-Alchemy
-Flower essence therapy & Aromatherapy
-Yoga (Pranayama, Mudras & Asana)
-Nutrition
Herbalist by day and jazz guitarist / fanatical foodie by night, Talal has an innate passion for healing and has devoted his life to developing his treatment protocols and furthering his knowledge of medicinal herbs. Having conquered his own health challenges with his knowledge, it is easy to see how his passion for healing others is truly sincere.
Original quote:
"Breath in Life , Breath out Strife"
Links:
Islamic Materia Medica - The history and modern day applications of 5 Islamic herbal medicines
Folk Herbalist
I am the co-creator, folk herbalist, wildcrafter & product formulator behind Boreal Folk Apothecary.
I create natural skincare products from sustainably harvested botanicals and locally sourced ingredients.
I fell in love with the Boreal forest during nine years of silvicultural work planting over 2.3 million trees in northern Canada.
This is where my love for wild plants and remote isolated wilderness regions was ignited.
I focus on creating land-based botanical distillations from plant matter discarded by the logging industry.
My husband and I live in a 1967 bus and create our product line in a converted mobile studio that follows us throughout the forest.
I am a third generation tree plantress, tending a reciprocal relationship with the land.
My grandmother planted trees in the 40's, my mother planted trees in the 70's and I planted trees in the 2000's.
My cultural background consists of people living on the land such as farmers, hunters, wilderness guides & lumberjacks.
Having a family that has always been close to the land and the old ways has inspired my connection to the Canadian wilderness, way of life, work as a wild crafter & product formulator.
social media
Out on the land, with Boreal Folk Apothecary - wildcrafting practices and business.
Community Herbalist
Dionne Jennings has a mission as a Community Herbalist: connecting plants & people.
Dionne feels much of her role as a Community Herbalist is to help others reconnect with lost traditional plant knowledge & practices–whether living on acres of stewarded land or within the challenges of the urban environment.
Putting plant knowledge back into the hands of the people drives her work.
Dionne has a particular passion for teaching & researching.
Her Ukrainian Canadian heritage drives her interest in studying Ukrainian/Slavic Folk & Herbal Medicine.
She enjoys utilizing her writing and communication skills on behalf of inspiring and “growing” future herbalists as the Marketing and Outreach Coordinator with Wild Rose College.
Having always loved and worked with plants and flowers, Dionne began studying herbal medicine in the folk tradition 20 years ago on Vancouver Island. She completed a 3 year supervised clinical apprenticeship with Abrah Arneson in Alberta in 2015.
She created and cultivated an urban medicine garden in Edmonton for 5+ years where she grew and made medicine for her YEG Herbalist apothecary. As creator and facilitator for the Edmonton Herb Club, she taught regular plant medicine workshops as well as coordinating herbal events for those keen for plant knowledge in the Edmonton area. She also regularly instructed herbal & DIY self-care workshops at Kolya Naturals Apothecary.
In 2017 she formed a partnership with Sustainable Food Edmonton to install Community Medicine teaching gardens in the city, while offering concurrent subsidized programming to make herbalism accessible to all Edmontonians.
Her home base is currently in Winnipeg, MB.
Ukrainian Folk Healing: Connecting with Ancestral Slavic Medicine Traditions
Herb Sovereignty For City Folk: Urban Medicine Gardens
Integrative Herbalist / Holistic & Jyoti Therapist
Chad is a Herbalist and Holistic Therapist, Meditation Teacher, Writer, Mentor, and Nature Guide.
He provides one on one in person and online consultations to address health concerns on all levels.
Chad uses natural methods including, herbs, diet, and ways of reconnection with nature and our true nature of joy, ease, and vitality.
He is also available for public speaking events, articles, and via his Integrative Herbalist Apprenticeship Program.
Chad has worked closely with the University of Winnipeg Indigenous Studies Department as well as Red River College to develop quality programming/experiences for students.
https://www.hollowreedholistic.ca/
Sex, Drugs, & Evolution - Exploring the Potential and the Pitfalls of the Psychedelic Renaissance
Clinical Herbalist
I respectfully acknowledge that I live, work and play in the unceded territories of the St'át'imc people with the intention to honor these lands and their inhabitants.
Clinical Herbal Therapist (CHT) Dominion Herbal College 2006
Master of Health Science (MHSc) in herbal medicine at the University of New England NSW 2012
Registered herbalist (RH) with the Herbal Association of BC and the American Herbalists Guild RH(AHG)
Faculty positions at Dominion Herbal College (2008-18) and Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine (2013-present)
Clinic Supervisor for Wild Rose College of Natural Healing 2019 (offsite)
Herbal educator at Nurture in Nature New Earth School, Pemberton
Owns and operates a herbal dispensary and consulting practice at 1353 Aster St. Pemberton BC
Offers herbal apprenticeships for grass roots herbalists and clinical practicum for registered students
Skilled in the use of herbs as medicine, Evelyn owns and operates a private practice in Pemberton BC, serving clients primarily in the Sea to Sky corridor. Her training in health science enables her to incorporate evidence-based herbal protocols into her ongoing practice of Western Traditional Medicine.
Evelyn and her husband own and operate Copper Cayuse Outfitters within the traditional territory of the Lil’wat Nation. Offering multiday trips into the wilderness alpine of the Coast Mountains, they have spent the last decade reconnecting people to nature.
Nature’s Pharmacy: Practical Phytochemistry for Medicine Makers
Herb Grower
I became a herbalist in 1992, studying at Dominion Herbal College, with further studies at Langara College and various workshops.
I grew certified organic herbs from 2000 until 2012, attending farmers' markets during that time selling healing salves, dried herbs, teas, and herbal vinegars.
I have a history of working with naturopaths and midwives, supplying dried herbs, and helping with formulations.
I also have done many workshops introducing the general public to the wonders of herbal medicine.
Between 2012 and 2019, I took a break from working in the dirt and taught general growing and herbal classes.
However, in 2019, I decided it was time to return to getting my hands dirty and subsequently moved to Pemberton, B.C. to build a herbal medicine garden for the purpose of teaching and introducing all that would listen to the healing power of plants.
I initially leased a piece of land that I thought would be perfect but my lease was not renewed and I had the challenge of moving my garden mid season.
I found my perfection at Nurture in Nature Community Farm, where my plants now thrive.
I strongly believe medicines come from the ground and that every plant has a healing power.
In order to access this, we need to know how to identify plants, how to grow them, and recognize their edible and/or medicinal qualities.
By understanding this, the wonder of plant medicine is available to all.
Agricultural Collections Specialist
Connie is the lead in the Canadian Herb, Specialty Agriculture and Natural Health Products (CHSNC) coalition. This voluntary group was instrumental in developing and implementing a nationally and internationally recognized Good Agriculture Collection Practices (GACP) program that can be used by those in the specialty agriculture sector as well as those harvesting, processing and selling Specialty Agriculture products. The program was developed working with the World Health Organization, Health Canada and CFIA plus all the key industry players throughout North America and Europe. The result is a comprehensive practice that will help industry (buyers, regulators, processors, and producers) ensure safety from collection to finished product.
The GACPs are recognized internationally. They have been acknowledged as being technically sound from the Canadian Food and Inspection Agency (CFIA), been benchmarked against the EU GACP standards, and have been used at the World Health Organization meeting in Japan to validate the importance of wildcrafting.
Prior to the development of the good agriculture and collection practises Connie was one of the six industry liaison members of the Natural Health Products Directorate where she led the development of the good manufacturing practices for natural health products. Connie has trained people all across Canada and presented in Peru, Guatemala, France and China.
Connie was also one of the founding directors for the Natural Health Product Research Society and has been executive director of Herb, Spice and Specialty Agriculture association for over 20 years.
Angela has a degree in performing arts, specifically stage acting, is a Certified Holistic Nutritional Consultant, Mindfulness Practitioner and a writer. She has been studying nutrition for over a decade and formally coaching people in the field of whole foods and holistic wellness since 2009. Angela is a graduate of the University of Calgary (BFA,) The Canadian School of Natural Nutrition (CHNC,) and has been a member of the Center for Mindful Eating since 2012. In 2005 sheI began a formal meditation practice in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and has completed the 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course. Angela offers private nutritional consultations, teaches public and private classes and speaks publicly promoting nature and mindfulness-based health strategies. Drawing on different philosophies and schools of thought, she uses nature, yoga, dance, meditation, music, food, relationships and humour as pathways to bliss. Angela strongly believe that our mission right now is to align ourselves with our true nature so that we can learn to feel peaceful and content all the time. Once we can do that, we can easily share that consciousness with others and through connection with others, we can truly understand ourselves. She lives in Calgary with my partner and two children.
Naturopathic Doctor
Michael Friedman, ND is a naturopathic physician and medical herbalist. He graduated
from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in 1998 and was adjunct instructor
of endocrinology at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut. He is also the founder
and director of the Annual Restorative Medicine Conference. Dr. Friedman is the author
of the medical textbook Fundamentals of Naturopathic Endocrinology, the co-author of
Healing Diabetes, and his latest book which was just released, There's No Pill for This:
A Naturopathic Physician's Personal Prescription for Managing Multiple Sclerosis.
His research on the use of SR T3 has been published by the University Puerto Rico
Medical School. Dr. Friedman has lectured at three naturopathic and allopathic medical
schools including NCNM, UB, CCNM and at the Dehradun Medical School of Physicians
and Surgeons in India. He is currently the Executive Director of the non-profit
Association for the Advancement of Restorative Medicine (AARM).
Dragonfly Earth Medicine
Dragon Fly Earth Medicine (Josh Sarvis and Kelly Dunn) have been cultivating pure, closed-loop cannabis for almost 3 decades.
They are Humus Beings dedicated to intentionally and actively educating the cannabis industry on purity in cultivation inputs and practices.
They are passionate about being a clear, conscious voice for the cannabis plant, who has given so many healing benefits to all of humanity.
They created Dragonfly Earth Medicine which is an international nutrient company and also an educational platform for Conscious Cannabis Cultivation.
The DEM Pure Certification has become a highly sought after community-driven, beyond organic certification for cannabis cultivation and extraction. They have consulted and educated the international cannabis community and corporations to grow the highest quality cannabis and businesses.
Focusing on biodiversity, polyculture, biological intelligence, soil building, nutrient intelligence, seed breeding, herbology for soil and plants, healthy integrated pest and fungi eradication, sustainable living and the deep connection humanity has with this feminine master plant.
Josh and Kelly have been creating full-spectrum global healing by working with international healthcare for women and children.
https://dragonflyearthmedicine.com/
Medical Herbalist, Herbal Elder
Member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists (UK) since 1987. Awarded Fellowship 2009
MSc in herbal medicine at the University of Wales in 2003
Faculty chair in Botanical Medicine at the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine in New Westminster 2004 - 2016
Diplomas in Botanic Garden Management and in Botanic Garden Education from Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Certified Shinrin Yoku (forest bathing) practitioner
Certified Master Gardener
Certified Horticulture Therapist
Chanchal lives on Vancouver Island, British Columbia where she and her husband manage Innisfree Farm and Botanic Garden, a 7 acre internationally registered botanic garden specializing in food and medicine plants, and host apprenticeships in sustainable food production and herbal medicine. Chanchal runs a private herbal medicine clinic with a specialty in holistic oncology, and offers a monthly student training clinic that provides free health services to the community. The farm also hosts Gardens without Borders, a federally registered not-for-profit society established to run the botanic garden and provide horticulture therapy.
I respectfully acknowledge that I live, work and play in the traditional territory of the K'ómoks First Nation in the Coast Salish region. I am grateful for the opportunity to share this land with the people who were here long before me, and I honor and value their traditional rights.
The Magic and Medicine of the Yew Tree
Naturopathic Doctor & Registered Herbalist
Marisa is a Naturopathic Doctor & Registered Herbalist (AHG) with expertise in the education and clinical applications of herbal medicine. She received her medical training from the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine, where she is currently Chair of the Botanical Medicine Department while maintaining a private clinical practice in Vancouver, BC. She is widely recognized for creating the free online herbal resource TheNaturopathicHerbalist.com, and is co-author of "The Botanical Medicine Manual" which both intend to serve as reliable sources of botanical information while encouraging the holistic perspectives inherent to herbalism. Considered a passionate educator, Marisa believes in the body’s innate capacity to heal when provided with the ancient knowledge & foundational therapeutic potential of plant medicine in all its forms.
I respectfully acknowledge that I live, work and play in the unceded territories of the Coast Salish people with the intention to honor these lands and their inhabitants.
Medical Herbalist
Krista is a Medical Herbalist in private practice in Victoria, BC.
Krista balances her private practice as a faculty member at Pacific Rim College, teaching courses in herbal medicine and medicine making, along with supervising clinical training.
Krista is passionate about
medicine making and has a full dispensary created 95% from herbs she has grown or from tinctures she has made herself from either percolations or macerations.
Ethical wild-harvesting, cultivation, and developing those intimate relationships with plants fuels her spirit and her practice.
Education, medicine-making, and herb growing along with women’s health are strong passions for Krista.
Krista has focused her continuing education within women’s health
with herbal mentors such as Aviva Romm, as well as Fertility Symposiums and Women’s Health conferences.
Krista has spoken at the American Herbalist Guild Symposium in 2019,
Kootenay Herb Conference in 2016 & 2018, with Colleen Emery’s Mentorship Program in Winlaw, the Herb Gathering on Vancouver Island in 2017 and offered a combined practitioner intensive workshop with her inspiring mentor Bev Maya in the Winter of 2018 & 2020 at Pacific Rim College.
Krista also has an online course offered through Pacific Rim College on Menstrual Cycle Tracking and Herbal Medicine for the general public and for
practitioners highlighting the differential diagnostics that can be analyzed within the cycle
chart with advanced therapeutics.
Krista maintains a professional membership with the Canadian Herbalists Association of BC (CHA of BC) and is actively involved with this organization as a member of the Board of Directors.
She is also actively involved in the People’s Apothecary, a community Herbal Medicine garden located in Quadra Village.
www.kristadawnpoulton.com
Menstrual Cycle Charting & Herbal Medicine for Practitioners
Medical Herbalist
Amber is a Medical Herbalist, educator, mindfulness meditation, and yin yoga teacher.
Graduated valedictorian of the Diploma of Phytotherapy program at Pacific Rim College, Amber focuses on empowerment, trauma-informed, and somatic approaches to healing mental health and hormonal concerns in private herbal practice.
With deep gratitude and care, Amber’s clinical herbal practice centers a social justice approach to whole systems healing and is located in the unceded and sacred territories of the Lekwungen-speaking peoples.
Amber also teaches regular classes in mindfulness practices, via yin yoga and meditation, as a way of encouraging deep listening, self-reflection, and embodiment.
Amber is vice-president of the Canadian Herbalists Association of BC (CHA of BC) and holds professional membership as a Registered Herbal Therapist (RHT).
Amber speaks at events and conferences and is a faculty member at Pacific Rim College, teaching herbal medicine energetics, small business development, and food systems from a critical world-systems theory perspective.
Amber also holds an honors degree in Environmental Studies from York University and enjoys continuing her study of the environment, healing, and plant medicine in her large medicinal herb garden and in the forests along the wild coasts of the lands known as British Columbia.
Medical Herbalist, Ayurvedic Practitioner
Todd Caldecott is a medical herbalist and practitioner of Ayurveda, in practice since 1995. He is the Executive Director of the Dogwood School of Botanical Medicine, and author/editor of three books including Ayurveda: The Divine Science of Life, Food As Medicine, and Ayurveda In Nepal.
Covid19 Infections and Botanical Medicine Panel
Sustainability and Ethical Sourcing Panel
Ethnobotanist, Herbalist
Patrick is a herbal medicine maker, and custom formulator who wild harvests local plants and fungi, as well as cultivating medicinal herbs. He has a background in ethnobotany ans is passionate about developing relationships with the plants themselves, and learning about herbs through both scientific and traditional use knowledge systems.
Patrick’s training has emphasized a Western and scientific approach to herbal medicine and he has studied extensively in the phytochemistry and pharmacology of herbs, and how these specific actions in the body relate to the effects of the whole herb. Patrick also been strongly influenced by shamanic practices and traditional plant medicine systems of South and Central America. In shamanic practice, the plants themselves are considered to be living conscious beings, and these plants teach us through the direct experience of working with them. An emphasis on direct experience has also led him to be interested in organoleptics, using our senses (especially taste and smell) to learn the medicine of plants.
Instagram @bluelotusethnobotanicals www.bluelotusethnobotanicals.com
Plant Medicines in Addictions Therapy
Ethical Wild Harvesting
Sustainability and Ethical Sourcing Panel
Mushrooms for Physical and Spiritual Healing
Registered Herbalist
Penelope Beaudrow is an educator and Registered Herbalist; earning her diploma from the Dominion Herbal College in British Columbia. She is Product Development Specialist and Herbal Educator at Faunus Herbs; which manufactures, formulates and develops complex food-based supplements for the natural products industry. Penelope is also a board member of the Association for the Advancement of Restorative Medicine, moderator at The Annual International Restorative Medicine Conference and past organizer of this conference for ten years, founder of Back To Your Roots herbal retreat and also facilitates The Ginkgo Tree Herbal Course. She is also the founder of The Ginkgo Tree, a small herbal business, including clinic, located on her family farm, Dogwood & Brambles. She has had a career with herbs for almost 25 years; from "the field to bottle" in all aspects of the natural products industry. It is here that her greatest love thrives, an at risk and at watch botanical sanctuary. Penelope has lectured for Restorative Medicine Conference, International Herb Symposium, New England Women’s Conference, Back To Your Roots Herbal Retreat, Heartwood Gathering, Canada Blooms, Toronto Botanical Gardens, and other various organizations. She also has been featured in the Toronto Star's Gardening Column, by Sonja Day and in the United Plant Savers Journal.
https://www.facebook.com/theginkgotree/
"We acknowledge that we are gathered on traditional territory, a land now defined in law by the Williams Treaty, signed in 1923 by the crown and the Chippewas of Georgina Island, Beausoleil and Rama First Nations and the Mississauga’s of Curve Lake, Alder Ville, Hiawatha and Scugog Island First Nations. "
Botanical Sanctuary
At Risk Medicinal Plant Sanctuary ~ Giving Back - Its Good for the Soul
Clinical Herbalist
R.TCM.H (Registered TCM Herbalist)
Jennifer is a Chinese Medicine Herbalist, gardener and cook who has called the Kootenays home for the last twenty years. Although trained in the art of acupuncture, she prefers to work with her hands; whether it is massaging away the aches in a body, pounding herbs into medicine or mashing fruit for jam. All of this makes for strong hands and an open heart and she looks forward to sharing both with guests at the Kootenay Herb conference this spring.
She nourishes her clients at www.wildpeachpreserves.com
Acknowledgment: I am grateful to live on the land of the Sinixt and Okanagan nations.
Clinical Herbalist
Tamara runs a clinical practice and teaches classes in herbal medicine at her farm, based in Prince Edward County Ontario.
There, she cultivates herbs while she also lets the land“re-wild” under her stewardship, so that it flourishes with the medicines she uses regularly in her practice.
Tamara has a special interest in working with local wild plants as both food and medicine, focusing particularly on the very abundant plants (the ones that are sometimes called “invasives”).
She leads plant identification walks, herb garden consults and land use consults regularly in her area, all fuelled by the intention of helping to bring us into closer relationship with the land and the plants that make up our greater community of life.
While her studies in herbal medicine began back on Vancouver Island, Tamara is grateful to have spent the past 10 years living and working with the medicines that grow closer to where she was born and raised, in the uniquely rich and beautiful Great Lakes region where you can find her today.
https://hawthornherbals.com/about/
The Prickly Medicine of Prickly Ash
Acupuncturist, Doctor of TCM, Clinical Herbalist
Dr. Tiffany Freeman is a Registered Acupuncturist, a Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctor, and a Registered Clinical Herbalist (American Herbalist Guild). Along with her clinical practice she is also an instructor, author and educator. She is the Co-founder/Co-Director of the Lodgepole School of Wholistic Studies in Calgary Alberta, teaching a variety of courses in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Western Herbology, assessment techniques, and Wild Rose College of Natural Healing curriculum.
Tiffany graduated from the Wild Rose College of Natural Healing in 2004 with a diploma in Clinical Herbology, upon graduation was grateful to have been an instructor at the college from 2004 to 2011. In 2009 She obtained her Doctors of Traditional Chinese Medicine diploma from the Calgary College of TCM & Acupuncture and her Alberta Acupuncture Licensure. She is a professional member of the American Herbalists Guild, the Alberta Association of TCM Doctors, and the College and Association of Acupuncturists of Alberta.
In clinical practice her passion lies in traditional medicine and therapies that connect us to a deeper healing. She is always learning and studying adjunctive therapies to better provide for her patients needs, currently she is studying the art of Ortho-Bionomy. In the clinic her primary focus is on Eastern & Western herbal preparations and Master Tung Ching Chang’s acupuncture & therapies. Tiffany incorporates her cultural and traditional values as a person of Cree First Nations descent with her studies and practice of Traditional Chinese and Western herbal medicine to create a wholistic healing experience for her patients. She is an educator, practitioner, mother of two, and an avid admirer of nature.
Herbs for Sexual Health & Wellbeing
Decolonizing Herbal Medicine
Clinical Herbalist
Victor is a clinical herbalist based in Toronto.
His orientation in holistic medicine is informed by traditional Western herbalism, anthroposophy, ayurveda, homeopathy, and depth psychology. In his clinical work, he strives to develop and promote an understanding of health as a dynamic state of being which adapts to changing environmental circumstances and conditions.
Victor strongly believes that in working with plant medicines we can be shown and brought to a deeper understanding of the essential qualities of life.
For Victor, wellness is understood as being in a state balance with the dynamics and forces of the world that shapes us; to be in right relationship with the world (and with ourselves and each other) always requires the “feeling for what lives in human beings as the eternal part” (as Rudolf Steiner would have it).
Victor can be reached at www.victorcironeherbalist.com
Instagram and Facebook @victorcirone
Clinical Herbalist, Author
An award-winning author, speaker, teacher, and expert in herbal medicine, Gudrun has over 30 years of experience as a complementary health practitioner.
In her practice and teachings, she uses a holistic approach to wellness combining healing modalities such as herbal medicine, Bach Flowers, connecting to plant spirit, reflexology, iridology/sclerology, light/colour therapy and lifestyle improvement.
In November 2018 she shared her passion in a TEDx talk, Flowers that Heal Us, in Wilmington, Delaware, US.
Gudrun graduated in Germany with a M.Ed. and M.Phys.Ed.
After her immigration to Canada in 1981 she focused her education on complementary medicine and as part of her journey of life long learning she graduated as Clinical Herbal Therapist from Dominion Herbal College in 1996.
Her commitment to the Earth and humankind prompted her to create several publications.
She is the author of award-winning books Healing Spirituality - A Practical Guide to Understanding and Working with Bach Flowers (Winner), Healing with Bach Flower Mandalas (Finalist) as well as the executive producer and co-creator of the instructional DVD Herbal Pharmacy for Everyone, A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Own Herbal Preparations.
She also created the card deck Bach Flowers Unfolding.
Her deep interest in learning about other cultures and their healing traditions led her to travel to many places across the globe, including India, where she was fortunate to spend some time with Mother Teresa.
More recently, her travels have taken her to Central and South America, where she focused her attention on some of their traditional forms of healing.
As a natural educator, Gudrun brings joy whenever she shares her knowledge and experience about plants and their healing spirit. Her clients see her as a compassionate professional, mentor, and friend.
Leading by example, Gudrun inspires others to live their lives to their full potential.
I would like to express my gratitude to be able to live on and speak from the Indigenous territories of the Metis, Kelly Lake Metis Settlement and Beaver people.
Earth Wisdom - Communicating with Plant Spirit
Virtual Herb Walk – The Difference between an Herb and a Weed is a Judgement
Master Herbalist, Qi Gong Practitioner
Sarah Orlowski graduated as a Master Herbalist from the Wild Rose College of Natural Healing in the early 1990s and went on to do her clinical training in both herbalism and Qi Gong. She is an advanced level Qi Gong Practitioner, having trained with Grand Master Peng for over ten years in the Shao Lin style.
Sarah is grateful to have extensive training in First Nations herbal traditions, most particularly that of the Lil’wat Nation.
She has her Permaculture Design Certificate and believes that growing in accordance with Nature is the sustainable way of now and the future.
Sarah has taught for many institutions, including the UBC Global Studies Program, UBC Farm, Simon Fraser University, the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine, the Canadian College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capilano College, Van Dusen Gardens, Squamish First Nations Witness Weekend, along with ten years in the Alternative Health Program at Douglas
College.
For over a decade, Sarah and her spouse have been running Canada’s oldest, organic, permaculture orchard and medicinal herb farm in the Southern Interior of BC. Here she educates and makes her own line of herbal products. Their farm is certified with Kootenay Mountain Grown, of which Sarah is a board member.
She is actively involved in Indigenous Education and loves giving herb walks and workshops to both adults and children. The orchard is located within Sinixt First Nations territory.
Sarah has a private clinical practice, where she gives health consultations and Qi Gong treatments. With the onset of COVID, she moved her clinical practice outdoors into the orchard and has had such a positive response from her clients that she plans to keep running the outdoor treatments, appreciating the healing contribution of the trees and natural environment.
Sarah is a graduate of Ontario College of Art and Design. By letting our inner muse take flight, she believes that a very intimate form of healing can manifest through artistic expression. Combining this personal, creative release with the healing gifts of Nature frees us to pursue our true potential and helps us to avoid illness deriving from unfulfilled ambition.
Medical Herbalist
Back in university, Bev earned a reputation as a tenacious inquisitive driven to make sense of nature through scientific endeavours . This reputation has withstood the test of time. Today, as a practicing Medical Herbalist and international speaker at medical conferences and colleges, Bev focuses on demystifying menopause for patients that don’t respond to traditional medicine.
Bev’s unique background informs her deep investigative approach. Her science studies led her to work in fundamental research, pharmaceuticals, anaesthesia, oncology, urology, transplantation and neurology for twelve years before training as a Medical Herbalist and opening her own clinic. This unique blend of education and experience provided her with a rare ability to study the intricacies of our nervous, endocrine and digestive systems for physiological, emotional and spiritual root causes to medical concerns associated with the menopausal process, some of them deep seated and lifelong.
Bev’s inquiring personality (encouraged by both parents being teachers) has lent itself to her style, as a generous and passionate speaker particularly adept at empowering her audience to deconstruct complex ideas into their simplest form and apply this learning in the context of their own medical practices.
In addition to her work at Maya Natural Health, Bev also works in collaboration with several Medical Doctors specializing in wholistic solutions during midlife at Haven Healing & Health in West Vancouver, B.C. and Westcoast Women's Centre for Hormone Health, Vancouver, B.C.
Interpreting Basic Blood Laboratory Results for your Female Patients
Clinical Herbalist
Over the ten-year period of practicing as a Clinical Herbalist, Abrah has learned to listen first, and offer recommendations second.
When we are heard and understood by someone concerned for our wellbeing the possibility of wellness opens naturally.
It is only after Abrah listens deeply to her clients’ concerns that she offers recommendations particular to each individuals’ needs.
Abrah’s personal journey began with a life threatening illness that found her on life supports for 6 weeks in an intensive care unit. This experience was her first step in her education towards holistic plant based medicine.
Abrah lived in a meditation retreat centre for eight year studying the relationship between the body, mind and the environment (which includes water, air, forests, gardens and other people). She is a graduate of Dominion Herbal College four-year Clinical Herbal Therapist Diploma Program in Burnaby, British Columbia. Abrah spend seven years working in palliative care and is trained as a doula.
Abrah has training in iridology, Bach Flower essences and is a Reiki Master.
Abrah is author of The Herbal Apprentice: Plant Medicine and the Human Being. She has taught plant medicine at Olds College in Olds Alberta and has trained 10 Master Herbalist is a three-year apprentice program.
Ottawa, Ontario
Abrah is available for consultations Tuesday and Thursday afternoons and evenings at Ottawa Holistic Wellness
www. ottawaholisticwellness.ca
Toronto
Consultations with Abrah can be booked at the Institute of Traditional Medicine for more information:
Mercury, Samhain and Valerian
Making Fresh Plant Medicine Tinctures
PhD, Registered Herbalist
3 levels of Sponsorship to choose from.
Once your application is received, we will review it and get back to you within a few days
Full access for the 3 + day event with digital access to notes and recordings from the conference for 72 hours after closing of event.
Full access for the 3 + day event PLUS get 3 years of access to all conference recordings of workshops from the event and an E-Book of Teacher's notes!
Full Access for the 3 + day event PLUS: 3 years access to all recordings, E-Book and Hard Copy of Teacher's notes & extras including: Discounts on future VIHG & KHC tickets. 3-month membership to the WRC online village and special gifts from our sponsors.
