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BotanicWise was founded by Charis Lindrooth with the intention of providing a forum where plant wisdom can be shared and where like-minded people can connect and build a community to steward land, medicinal plants and supportive relationships with each other. Inspired by the work of Rosemary Gladstar, David Winston, United Plant Savers, and many internationally acclaimed teachers and organizations in the herbal renaissance, BotanicWise strives to create space for land and plant stewardship, with an inner mission to cultivate alliances between plants and people, and between people and people.
What initially drew you to natural medicine and herbal studies?
After I graduated from university, I took a job teaching 4th grade. I loved the work, but the students introduced me to a myriad of microbes - I was constantly getting sick. I finally started going to a chiropractor who specialized in herbal medicine. He gave me echinacea which transformed my immune response. Long story short? I quit teaching and became a chiropractor and herbalist.
How did you find David Winston’s training program and how has it shaped your work?
As a young chiropractor with a busy practice in Pennsylvania I was eager to source products for my patients from a trusted local source. I already knew H&A was a fantastic company, because I have worked with them for years. When I was ready to take my studies to a deeper level, I gratefully seized the opportunity to study with David.
Tell us about the catalyst for launching the MidAtlantic Women’s Herbal Conference in 2011.
My practice is located in a rural area and for years I felt like a lone pioneer trying to bring herbal medicine to the area. I longed for like-minded community. I frequently drove long distances to conferences such as Medicines from the Earth and the New England Women’s Herbal Conference. After my son was born, travel became more difficult. I thought to myself, “Why not build this community in my own backyard?”
Why is creating community important for herbalists?
I think the greatest benefit of community within the herbal community is the gift of mentorship. Learning from books is one thing, but studying with an herbalist who has had decades of in-person, clinical experience can take your work to a new dimension. I love that the herbal community values experience and honors its elder practitioners.
What are some of your favorite H&A products and why?
My number one favorite is the first product I ever worked with: Ultimate Echinacea™. This product offers multi-dimensional support for an acute immune response - it truly changed my life! I also use many H&A “singles” to stock my apothecary so that I can make custom formulas for patients - elecampane, rose, rhodiola, burdock root, and calendula are just a few of my frequent go-tos.
