Herbalism, Ethnobotany & Botanical Medicine

My time at Herb Pharm was an immersion into the relationship between people and plants. It was an opportunity to step beyond textbooks and into the living landscapes where medicine grows.

Throughout the spring, I studied the forests, fields, and watersheds of the Pacific Northwest, learning to identify plants not only by their physical characteristics, but by their ecological relationships and the communities they help support. Days were spent in all weather conditions, walking the land, observing habitats, harvesting plants, and developing a deeper understanding of the intricate connections that exist within healthy ecosystems.

The experience was rooted in both science and tradition. Through an intensive apprenticeship in botany, herbal medicine making, and plant identification, I learned from individuals who have dedicated decades of their lives to understanding the natural world. Their knowledge extended far beyond technical expertise; it reflected a way of seeing the world that values observation, patience, reciprocity, and respect.

What I carried away most was an appreciation for the wisdom held within the landscape itself. Plants became more than species to identify or ingredients to process. They became teachers of resilience, adaptation, community, and relationship. The work invited me to slow down, pay attention, and recognize that every ecosystem tells a story to those willing to listen.

At its heart, this experience strengthened my belief that education begins with curiosity and that meaningful stewardship begins with connection. The lessons I learned among the plants of the Pacific Northwest continue to shape how I understand ecology, medicine, and my place within the natural world.