Students of our programs and classes share insights and comments about their experience: March 2, 2010 - Student begins business while pregnant, sharing updates: Here is a real life story share from one of our former herbal medicine students, ( certification program) with my commentary added in the red text: ". . . My pregnancy has been going pretty well for the most part. I had nausea for the first 3 months, then felt great for several months. Right around 61/2 - 7 months I started having symptoms of low iron. I had it checked and it was definitely low. It was leaving me feeling so tired, lightheaded and spaced out. My OB put me on an iron supplement which doesn't really get absorbed in the body all that well," (This is notably true about absorption, and the propensity of such chemical preparations to cause constipation. My underlining/ ML) ". . . After not feeling good for awhile and trying those slow/ineffective (and let's face it, sometimes extremely expensive and for what you really get...) supplements I was like "oh...I should make myself something" and I did (I blame it on the lack of Oxygen to my brain from the low iron that it took me so long to realize I probably could aid my own problem). I made (and keep making) a great strong Nettles & Yellow Dock tea which I steep for 4-6 hours. Its Awesome!!! Its really strong and really gives me a great boost. And because of the silly supplements I was taking I began having bad constipation so I made myself a great syrup which works like a charm everytime I take it. Dandelion & Yellow Dock. Its really great. I keep telling my husband how much I love my poop syrup. Its pretty funny. So I am finally feeling more balanced but if I don't stay up on the Nettles I slide down real quick. I can tell by the color in my skin and the spaciness in my brain! So besides the iron I feel great and keep up on light exercise & light weightlifting. I think about you often as I am playing with my herb books. I have started my own LLC called Blissful Brews. I am making herbal products and supplementing herbs into my friends & family's lifestyle as we all continue to try to get healthier. I've basically started with just friends & family that are really willing and able and so far have had great feedback. I have made capsules, tea's, healing bath teas, tinctures, salves, baby oil & baby powder and am soon going to work on the cosmetic products. It seems to just be happening. People just come to me for assistance/guidance and next thing I know I am making products (of course trying to offer a full range of health choices besides just herbs as well). I am expecting my second check in the mail any day now!!! I have given away a lot of samples and am finally at the point now where I am starting to charge and get some $ back. So that is very exciting. " And..... " . . . I have been using a book that Randi had recommended to me called "The Natural Pregnancy Book" by Aviva Jill Romm, MD as a reference along with Rosemary Gladstar's "Family Herbal". (Both books are by authors with similar backgrounds and philosophies to my own as a practicing herbalist and educator, so we draw from the same pool) I really enjoy the pregnancy book, it has lots of great information and she guides you as to which herbs to stay away from and why during pregnancy (of course along with which ones to use, why & how). Which is very unlike the common lists provided by doctors which is to avoid all herbal supplements. My OB rolls her eyes at me when I tell her I have treated myself for a particular ailment and from the get go has advised me against using any herbal treatments during pregnancy because there is no clinical studies or data to support that it does not cause harm to the baby. I've told her I trust myself and have more confidence in the herbal medicine than I do the Western Medicine with all its side effects & unknowns. We never really agreed on anything so now she just rolls her eyes at me when she asks, otherwise I don't bring it up. (So much for "integrative" health care...) I'm a little disappointed because I was really hoping to have a much more open OB but at the same time I did want a modern professional to guide me because this is the first time I will be delivering a baby. Not a perfect match but at least I can help myself and the reference books help give me that guidance along with the base knowledge of the class I took from you to really know how/when to use herbs. One more thing about the anemia....I was so spaced out in my brain that I was having difficulty making sentences and speaking. (The anemia she cured herself with two herbs made into a tea! Herbs are food. Herbs are not drugs.) I couldn't decide on a word to use and then really couldn't comprehend what someone was speaking to me about enough to respond. It had gotten very bad (according to me) and my husband & I actually had to call the nurse hotline one night because we didn't know if should go to the hospital or not. The spaciness feeling in my brain was the worst part of the anemia. I literally felt like my brain had shrunk and it felt like I could feel the two distinct hemispheres -- that it was split down the middle!!! It was scary, and then combine that with the lightheaded feeling I got everytime I stood up was very dangerous. When they finally ran the blood work they said oh yes, its low. And then gave me the supplements and said that it would take a couple of weeks to balance out. (Herbs work right away, boys and girls...) And that I would need to take an over the counter constipation aid immediately because of the iron supplements. So...my point being...once the little bell chimmed in my head that I could help myself - I have been doing significantly better. I have confidence in the herbs and they have nourished & supported my body during pregnancy, and there is nothing to be scared about. Its a bit scarier to stop taking herbs during pregnacy because then you loose so many valuable nutrients & body tonics. So thats all I will say about that, thanks for listening to my story." April 16, 2009 Testimonials about Plantain leaf products Our direct connection to and experience with the plants is the best teaching we can have. Our students learn through intensive personal experiences, and then evolve on to reach out into the community , confident to share their ever growing herbal wisdom. Here is a recent note from someone in our learning community: Hi Mary, 2 summers ago (the summer I took your class) I made salve from plantain only. The most astounding thing I found about that was the instant relief from bee/wasp etc stings. Other people reported the same. Also that it was effective on burns (from cooking), clearing up long term skin rashes (I don't know the source of the rash). A cousin wrote "I had these little bumps on my ears and after using the salve they went away." This year my salve contained plantain, comfrey, and calendula. - I have no reports about bee stings yet but a lot of reports about skin rashes. - One woman bought several jars as she said it cleared up psoriasis. - Several people reported using it on other skin rashes and irritations and finding that they clear up. (e.g., one said she had this strange patch of skin, was going to go to the dermatologist but tried the salve in the mean time and it went away.) - Another indicated cracking in the corners of her lips, and that applying this clears it up, when trying other moisturizers and lip balms didn't help. - Again, burns. - One reported using it on hemorrhoids and getting immediate relief. - Another said it soothed the dry, cracking skin on her hands (from winter time) - Cuts: healing cuts (One woman whose husband is a truck driver indicated that he insists on keeping it in his truck as he often gets cuts on his hands and the salve helps.) Almost all of these are people who had no expectations, and I believe were a bit skeptical about how useful the salve would be. I hope this is helpful. Need I say more? Well, yes, I do have more to share about the above- a) the plantain is grown without herbicides or pesticides of any kind b) no chemicals or preservatives are used in the formulation of the plantain salve product c) this is one of the first things we teach you how to do ! April 2009 : From an advanced studies student, showing all of us photos of seedlings coming up ! Hello Everyone:) Here are some photos of herb seedlings that are 3 weeks old. I thought I'd share them because I know that some people were curious as to what some herbs look like when they're younger so that we don't mistake them for weeds! Also it's very interesting how plants from the same family look so similar when they are seedlings, like the mint and carrot family. Most of these seedlings were germinated from seeds that came from Gaia's herb farm (all except for sage, echinacea, and chamomile). You can view them by clicking on the link below: http://picasaweb.google.com/mksmedley/HerbSeedlings?feat=directlink Enjoy! And happy planting this spring:) Michelle December 2008 Comments recently received in chats with students: " I have had various kinds of herbal training in the past, but not one has put together the labs for making medicines and having hands-on experiences as you have....looking back, having this opportunity has really expanded my confidence and grasp of herbal medicine- the sensory experience as well as the technical experience propels me from an armchair herbalist to an active, engaged herbalist". "I love the way you share your wisdom with us and guide us, and also bring in other teachers to share their experience- and then put us directly in experiences of our own to learn from, in our own way". " I feel we were exposed to such a variety of experience. All I have ever done before is go on herb walks and work in someone else's garden, but this is happily way beyond my expectations". " I continue to use what I learned during the training. My daughter, who at 21 has had menstrual cycle problems for 7 years, is completely balanced out with the herbal protocols we learned to use in the program. No doctor could help her, but she is fine now." November , 2008 Note from the director Our Advanced Herbal Studies (so generically named! ) is new this year, yet evolving quickly. I am in the curious position to have the vision for a vast potential of study and career development in the field of medicinal herbal practice and naturopathy - and yet our potential is also shaped by current economic, geographic and demographic realities. How then, is that program changing? We understand we are birthing a alternative society. We are in a transitional time- one which will unfold for the next couple decades, at least. Influenced by my own intuition, background of experience; by my reconnaissance visit to Findhorn community, and recent workshops in Living Lightly and Transitional Towns- we have a new and different world. with different needs unfolding before our eyes. the Advanced Herbal Studies is orienting to , first, increase the scope of medicinal herbal background and experience for students, and , second, provide a pathway toward professional training as an Herbal Counselor , Holistic Health counselor, and clinician. I am excited about this direction - this coming year, we create and offer clinics (coming in the spring) for our students to see clients for intakes and advisory. Stay tuned.... October , 2008 A group of students- 11 of them- just finished the Medicinal Herbalist Certification program for 2008. Bravo! This is a truly rich program with opportunities for 6 months to learn and practice all of the important aspects of medicinal herbal practice. At our closing circle, students shared what was on their minds and in their hearts for the future, with some group discussion. Here are some excerpts: Lisa: I am starting a small business, making and selling herb blends for teas (for colds, flu, stomach, women's health, and more), plus body care products such as creams and lotions. I have also begun the Advanced program here for herbal studies. Comment: Lisa has been working at a holistic health center lately, just having been hired this summer while in our program. She now has the opportunity to sell her products through that business as well as doing her own. Her future looks great, with plans to study the healing arts so as to understand, further, the workings of the body/mind. Suzy: I will be enrolling in naturopathy school , and also continuing in the Advanced Medicinal Herbal Studies program here at Gaia School. Comment: Suzy has a major list of talents including computer and editing acumen and experience. At Gaia School, we believe herbal practice is best offered from an ever deepening foundation of holistic healing education, including a full understanding of holistic anatomy and physiology, and other natural therapeutics. What a great direction, Suzy ! Melissa: I will be ever gardening ! It is October, but already, I cannot wait until Spring and spring planting for next year's herb garden! Gaia School says: What a wonderful plan for the next year ! Some of the many seeds from out medicine wheel garden will be going with Melisssa to her land in a nearby county. Lisa, Suzy, Karen, Pam (from Traverse City), CheRi, and Michelle are all coming into Advanced Herbal Studies from this year's program! Welcome, and welcoming them to the 4 who started a bit earlier this summer. Michelle , with a botany background and lots of personal interests, wants to go to medical school, and is looking into creating an educational and sales table at one of our local farmers markets , possibly for her research project for the advanced studies program. Katie S. is moving soon to Asheville, NC to further her development in the herbal and healing arts, and with an eye to take courses at the Appalachia School of Herbal Studies. This should be a wonderful next step on the path of life ! Meaghan is going to have a baby very soon- that will keep her busy, (her first) yet she also has specific plans she is enacting now to get training in business and finance, along with working for and observing how small businesses are organized , for she plans to have her own store, and it will be in the natural/holistic realm. She has seen some business where one learns how "not to do" things, and some businesses which have a lot to offer in the training through practical experience. That is a fantastic way to go for the astute observer- certainly the way, to an extent, I have lived my own life ~ Mary Light Bethany , who is 20, is considering a move to Oregon, with lots going on there including a school for her recent interest in Thai massage. She also got a job she really likes, about a month or so ago, in a health food store, and says she loves discovering "how much I know' when talking to patrons , now that she has taken our program. Katie has a team leader position in a health food store, but looks ahead to the flowering of her career into potentially a holistic health co-op or a retreat, or both. Truly a wonderful and inspired group of graduates ! Summer 2008 OK - it is me, Mary Light the director of the school sharing here- not a student - but I am offering this on behalf of one students' recent experience, and to help illustrate the value of the education we offer (well, just one small aspect of its' multidimensional value!) One student recently contacted me to buy some St. John's Wort extract. If you price this at a store, it is approximately 10$ per ounce bottle. It is my experience that 4 ounces is a month supply. She, and perhaps other family members, needed/wanted about 3 or more months worth. You can do the math. What I told her, as she is 1/3 of the way through our 2008 program, is buy 4 oz from me now (for 25$, not 40$), since the extraction process takes 4-6 weeks; gather some St. John's Wort plant as she has been taught in the course, make an extract as she has been taught in the course. For about 11$ in vodka, she will make, using just a part of the knowledge she has gained, about $300.00 retail value of St. John's wort extract, although of much higher quality (as our teachings focus on quality) enough for 8 months of use. So she has had the chance to make a large chunk of her financial investment back, for the course, within a few weeks, in this one stroke. So when people ask me "what can I do after this program?" - as they do, every year, here is just one version of the answer....you can make high quality herbal medicines, and save yourself thousands of dollars over the years. Other versions of the answer include saving yourself untold suffering, cluelessness, worry, money, and healing time , as you will have learned time honored yet cutting edge ways to heal inside and out, including the "why's of healing, the methods of researching herbal knowledge, harvesting methods, medicine making, and more. ~ Mary Light I come again and again for classes because this teacher works in a patient, ego-less way to transmit wisdom I can use and understand, within a context of her real experience, inspiring me to use herbs and wild foods more easily in my own life. Jan The Home Study course was wonderful, fun to do, and I learned a LOT more than I ever thought I could...it was designed to encourage expression and creativity while asking me to delve deeper to learn the medicinal herbal craft. And now I am proud to have achieved the certificate. Michelle "thank you , Mary, for sharing your knowledge of herbs and all the fascinating 'recipes". Experiencing the power of herbs in such a personal way has brought on even more awe of the herbs. I intend to take your classes as they are offered. Herbal Hugs, " Nia A. "one of the most valuable aspects of this program, beyond the great setting for hands- on medicinal herbal learning, was being able to learn from experienced, wise, living teachers who really knew their field, and successfully worked it for so many years. I looked all over for a program in the area with that criteria in place, and was not only delighted when I found this one, but further inspired when I experienced it. This set up a role model and a priceless mentorship for all of us, and has had a lasting influence on me," Patty B. " The Herbalist Certification program was a wonderful experience, and a chance to reconnect with nature in its' finest in Michigan. I learnt a lot not only about herbs, but myself, and my desire to connect with the Earth through plants and herbs. I enjoyed very much the connection I made with the other students. I felt the classes and curriculum were very interesting.... looking forward to continuing my knowledge of the herb world... " Rita C M "I appreciate that you have shared your knowledge, your home, and your heart with us. What I have learned will last forever and will continue on. You have taught me how to connect with plants and energy in a way I have never experienced. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, " Dawn S. "This has truly been a life changing experience for me. I look at the earth with a new appreciation. I hope to continue on with these studies with you- you truly are a gifted teacher, and I feel blessed to have been a part of this", Ruth N. " I enjoyed this program because it was hands- on! It was very practical in that Mary dealt with plants and herbs in our immediate area. she equipped us with many ways to make medicines from nature, instead of going through a middle man. ......I liked the homelike atmosphere, so that I can adapt this knowledge to my own home. " Jacquelyn G. ""this has been a tranformative experience- the earth and my relationship to it is forever changed. With gratitude for your wisdom and generosity in sharing it- Thank you, Barbara S. Mary , thank you for the opportunity to learn from such a knowledgeable herbalist. The hands- on learning was wonderful. Thank you again, God Bless, Felicia L. "Thank you for your gentle patience as you re-introduced a variety of personalities to their mother, and taught them to look to themselves for strength, thank you. Blessings on all you do, " Alisa W. " I enjoyed this program tremendously . It has spurred my hunger to continue studying." Mary D. |
