Joe Allawos , MS, Botany, Organic Gardening	Joe Allawos has spent the better part of his adult life studying plants.  He holds a Master of Science Degree in botany with a focus in Plant Systematics and is a full time Instructor of Biology at Asheville Buncombe College.  In addition, he is owner and operator of Sugar Creek Farm, an organic vegetable farm in Big Sandy Mush, North Carolina.  His pursuits in agriculture and botany have taken him from the high andes of Bolivia, Ecuador, and Argentina, to the Amazon basin of Northern Brazil, to the deserts of Northern Africa.
Luke Cannon, Ethnobotanist	More than an ethnobotanist, Luke Cannon is a long-time pursuer of the magic and medicine of plants.  Passionate about green beings and the beautiful intricacies of their ecology, Luke shares his knowledge of the local flora and his enthusiasm for building closer relationships with the wilds around us. His courses of study include the Northeast School of Botanical Medicine, the Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine, Plant Biology at Cornell University, and Karuna Falls School of Permaculture (NZ). While in New York, Luke instructed wilderness awareness/survival programs, led walks for the Finger Lakes Native Plant Society, and guest taught for the Northeast School of Botanical Medicine.  He currently lives in Western NC, homesteading and making his living as an organic gardener and natural builder.
Frank Cook, BS, Herbalist	Though Frank Cook feels his roots in Appalachia, his botanical quest to meet the 5000 genera of plants in the world have led him to places as far as Africa and Peru, meeting healers and visiting sacred places. In Spring 2001 he walked from the Pamlico Sound across NC to Max Patch, observing nature and foraging edibles as he went. He considers plants his friends and gains connection with them through wildcrafting food and medicine as well as interacting with them as allies. In 1995 he became trained as an herbalist at the Northeast School of Botanical Medicine in Ithaca, NY, building on the foundation of a BS from Duke University '85.
Omar Cruz, Botanical Researcher, Author, Herbalist	Omar Cruz is a Botanical Researcher, Author, and Herbalist with Gaia Herbs in Brevard, North Carolina.  He combines a cultural background of southwestern curanderismo with his knowledge of drug design and pharmacognosy to bridge traditional herbalism with western medicine.  He is co-author of the textbook, “A Botanical Protocol Manual for Health Care Practitioners” and more recently, “Traditional Medicines from the Earth [2nd Edition]”.  He has been an invited lecturer and teacher at medical universities and teaching hospitals throughout the country as well as symposia both here and abroad.  He operates a no/low cost practice for those without adequate insurance or income in Brevard, North Carolina.
Ceara Foley, Holistic Herbalist, Certified Beekeeper	Powerfully attuned to nature at an early age, Ceara Foley’s passion has always been connecting to the cycles of life.  Her work with at-risk, inner-city children in PA, VA and CA sparked her love of healing through teaching. Ceara has led women’s spirituality circles since 1994, empowering women to reconnect with their inner and outer environments.  In Oregon she worked with Medicine Flower creating aromatherapy products for mind, body, and spirit. Ceara serves on the NC Natural Products Association board, is a certified herbalist and beekeeper, steward of Soulflower Botanical Sanctuary, Co-founder of NC Plant Savers and NC American Herbalist’s Guild, and ASHH director.
Sandi Ford, Holistic, Clinical Herbalist	Sandi Ford has been working with plants for beauty, food, and medicine for over fourteen years. She has studied at The Blue Ridge School of Herbal Medicine, The California School of Herbal Studies, and The Australasian College of Herbal Studies. President of the NC Chapter of the American Herbalist Guild, she maintains a clinical practice, teaches at various herb schools and is also a doula. An avid gardener, Sandi designs and promotes edible, medicinal, and native landscapes. She teaches that it is our daily relationship with the plants as food, medicine, and friends that is truly healing. She is currently pursuing a degree in nutrition.
Lisa Ganora, Phytochemisty, Traditional Herbalist	Lisa Ganora is a traditional herbalist of 20 years' experience and a specialist in the constituents of medicinal plants. She graduated Summa cum laude with Distinction as a University Scholar and with Distinction in Biology from the University of North Carolina and has won many awards in biology and organic chemistry. She has a website on phytochemistry(www.herbalconstituents.com), a new book called Herbal Constituents, and a lifelong love for the healing herbs. Lisa's classes and workshops integrate science, art, and spirit to help us understand the inner workings of medicinal plants. Lisa is currently also on the faculty at the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine.
Jessica Godino, Licensed Acupuncturist	Jessica Godino has been connecting people with plants for over a decade. After training with wise woman herbalist Susun Weed she co-founded Red Moon Herbs. She believes that using medicines that come directly from the earth is the best way for us to remember our birthright as healers. Jessica is also a licensed acupuncturist working in Asheville, NC. She aspires to bridge two worlds, and bring the perspective and wisdom of eastern herbalism to deepen our understanding of western herbs.
Toyia Hatten, Community Herbalist, Office Goddess	Toyia Hatten fell in love with the ways we can work with and be spiritually connected with plants at a young age. Taking cues from her Father and Grandmother, she has incorporated this passion for plants into her everyday life, beginning her formal studies into the art of Herbalism in 2003 at ASHH. Feeling drawn onto her true path in life, she attended the Fundamental, Traditional & Clinical programs. Toyia currently focuses her herbal practice around increasing vitality and joy for life through stress reduction. She absolutely loves teaching herbal classes, and in her spare time keeps things in the ASHH administrative offices running smoothly.
Jeanie Martin, RN, BSN	Jeanie is a native of North Carolina and learned to love plants from gardening at her mother’s side.  She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Florida.  After working both in the hospital and home health settings for 20 years, she felt a strong call to work in health promotion rather than treatment of disease.  She began her study of herbal medicine at NCSHH and with Rosemary Gladstar’s Science and Art of Herbalism.  Jeanie founded the Blue Ridge Naturalist at UNC-Ashville and enjoys helping others discover their sense of place in the southern Appalachians through the study of the natural world.
Alan Muskat, Mythic Mycologist	Asheville's epicure of the obscure has persuaded thousands to sample rather than trample wild mushrooms. Drawing from his training with the world's leading mycologists and a Princeton degree in Deep Ecology, this "stand-up mycomedian" has enchanted audiences for nearly a decade. Ask anyone who knows the Mushroom Man: when it comes to bringing out the fun in fungi, he's the champignion.
Joie Power, Ph.D	Dr. Power is a retired, board certified neuropsychologist. She has nearly twenty years of clinical experience in both in- and out-patient settings and has undertaken extensive studies in aromatherapy and other alternative healing practices. She is well known as a speaker and teacher in the field of aromatherapy, essential oils, and alternative healing. Dr. Power has presented many scientific papers at national conferences and her articles on Aromatherapy have appeared in World Health News. She currently practices as a Wellness Consultant and Aromatherapy Educator and conducts group retreats and individual sessions in dreamwork, creative realization & earth-centered spiritual quests.
Camilo Sanchez, Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Master Acupuncturist	Camilo has been immersed in the healing arts for over twenty years. He began with yoga therapy and Ayurveda at Satyanada Ashram, India in ’82. In 1989 Camilo received his diploma in Oriental Medicine at the South East Institute of Oriental Medicine in Miami, Fla. where he also served as a faculty member for eight years. He has taught innovative courses in oriental & holistic medicine in Asia, Europe, North and South America. He now owns and operates the Yoga Training Institute in Charlotte, NC. There he offers individualized healing programs, yoga teachers training courses and classes in Universal Qi Gong and Chen style Tai Chi. His primary loves are nature and movement.
CoreyPine Shane, Clinical Herbalist	CoreyPine Shane, Holistic Clinical Herbalist, is the director of the Blue Ridge School of Botanical Medicine. He has been studying herbal medicine for over 15 years, and has been seeing clients professionally for 10. He is a graduate of the Northeast School of Botanical Medicine and from the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine. He is currently working on a book about the medicinal plants of the Southern Appalachians.
Corinna Wood, Director, Red Moon Herbs	Corinna Wood is the director of Red Moon Herbs; making herbal medicines from fresh, local plants, with a focus on women's health, for over ten years. A gifted teacher and powerful visionary, Corinna has opened the hearts of thousands to the wisdom of the plants and their own bodies. Corinna's background includes an extensive apprenticeship with Susun Weed in 1993 as well as a B.S. in Biology. Corinna is certified as an herbalist, a fertility awareness teacher, and also in permaculture design. She lives at Earthaven Ecovillage, an intentional community in Black Mountain, NC. (RedMoonHerbs.com)

Our Guest Instructors Have Included:
Mary Bove, ND	Mary Bove obtained her Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine and Midwifery Certification from Bastyr University of Natural Health Sciences in Seattle.  She also received a Diploma of Phytotherapy/ Herbal Medicine at the School of Phytotherapy in Great Britain and is a member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists (U.K.) She served as a full-time faculty member at Bastyr College in the departments of botanical medicine and naturopathic midwifery and held the position of Chair of the Botanical Medicine Department from 1990- 1993. Mary practiced natural obstetrics/gynecology and pediatric medicine in Seattle, and then relocated her practice to Brattleboro, VT.  She lectures throughout North America on botanical medicine, phytotherapy and naturopathic obstetrics & pediatrics. Mary has put all this experience and knowledge into her book, "An Encyclopedia of Natural Healing for Children and Infants". Clinic Phone: 802-254-9332
Richo Cech, Ethnobotanist, Owner, Horizon Herbs	Richo Cech started his professional work as an archaeologist and ethnobotanist in East Africa.  Upon his return to the United States in 1978, he began cultivating and saving the seed of medicinal plants.  Over the years, this collection has become the basis for Horizon Herbs, “Sowing seeds worldwide for the benefit of people, plants and the planet.”  Richo is the author of the widely acclaimed and quoted “Horizon Herbs Growing Guide and Catalog” as well as “Making Plant Medicine” (2000) and “Growing At-Risk Medicinal Herbs” (2002).  Richo uses what he calls “natural gardening techniques” to cultivate over 800 species of medicinal plants at Horizon Herbs Seed Farm in Williams, Oregon.
Bevin Clare, Clinical Herbalist, Ethnobotanist	Bevin Clare is a clinical herbalist with a deep love of plants. Her clinical practice maintains a focus on women’s health, wellness and healthy eating, and infectious disease. Bevin’s studies of medicinal plants have taken her to more than 20 countries around the globe, where she has learned about the practice and tradition of herbal medicine in different cultures and societies. Bevin serves on the governing council of the American Herbalists Guild and the board of directors of United Plant Savers, a group working to preserve the at-risk medicinal plants. She has been on the faculty of Tai Sophia since 2004, and also serves on the faculty of the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy in Boston, MA. Bevin's love for the plant world permeates her work and every facet of her life, and she seeks to share the gifts she has received from her interaction with the plant world with her clients and students.
David Crow, Acupuncturist, Herbalist, Owner, Floracopeia	David Crow graduated from the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 1984, and began his clinical practice of acupuncture and herbology. In 1987, his interest in Ayurvedic and Tibetan medicine took him to Nepal, where he began a series of internships with traditional doctors in Kathmandu. The story of these journeys and the teachings he received became the book "In Search of the Medicine Buddha", published by Tarcher-Putnam in 2000. Through writing, teaching, and activism, David Crow is promoting the creation of a grassroots healthcare system based on community gardens. He is a co-founder of The Learning Garden at Venice High School in Los Angeles. This garden has quickly become one of the country's largest and most successful school gardens.
Phyllis D. Light, RH (AHG), Director of Herbal Studies, Clayton College of Natural Health	A fourth generation Herbalist and Healer, Phyllis D. Light has studied and worked with herbs, foods and other healing techniques for over 30 years. Her studies in Traditional Southern Appalachian Folk Medicine began in the deep woods of North Alabama with lessons from her grandmother, whose herbal and healing knowledge had its roots in her Creek/Cherokee heritage. Phyllis’ studies continued as an apprentice with the late Tommie Bass, a nationally renowned folk herbalist from Sand Rock, Alabama, as well as other herbal Elders throughout the Appalachians and the Deep South.
7Song, RH (AHG), Director, Northeast School of Botanical Medicine	7Song, director of the Northeast School of Botanical Medicine, has been studying, teaching, and pursuing his interest and passion for plants for over 19 years. He is a professional member of the American Herbalist Guild and teaches at herbal schools, symposia and classes throughout the United States. He devotes much of his waking time to studying plants' innumerable intriguing aspects. He has a clinical practice in Ithaca, NY, focusing on home, street and wilderness first aid, emergency and trauma medicine, men's health and constitutional health care. 7Song is also the Director of Holistic Medicine at the Ithaca Free Clinic.
David Winston, RH (AHG), President of Herbalist & Alchemist, Inc.	David Winston, RH (AHG) is an herbalist and ethnobotanist with almost 40 years of training in Cherokee, Chinese and Western herbal traditions. He has had a clinical practice for over 30 years and is a herbal consultant to physicians throughout the USA and Canada. He is President of Herbalist & Alchemist, Inc. an herbal manufacturing company. In addition he is an internationally known lecturer and teaches frequently at medical schools, symposia and herb conferences.
Sheri Winston, RN, LMT, Midwife, Sexuality Educator	Sheri Winston lectures and makes appearances around the country to talk about sex and Wholistic Sexuality. She is now retired from clinical practice to focus full time on teaching workshops and counseling through the Center for the Intimate Arts.  Sheri believes her twenty years in women's health care have given her an excellent foundation for sexuality education and counseling, and formed her unique approach.  She has also studied a wide variety of holistic healing modalities including integral health, herbalism, energy healing, psychological and emotional healing, women's health, and many hands-on healing techniques.