The Many Benefits of Herb Conferences
- Amanda Klenner
- May 22, 2016
- 9 min read
" Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn."
Benjamin Franklin
Herbalism is an ever expanding and growing field of study with endless possibilities and little rabbit holes to get sucked down into in the name of knowledge. When people feel that little spark inside them light up, that ancestral knowing that we have grown and evolved with these plant friends since our plant eating mammalian predecessors began to swim in the oceans and walk with the earth. That spark of knowing that this is the right path. This is the path that will lead to a connection with Gaia, God, Goddess, with the land, with spirit and with self. That spark. That internal knowing is what drives many of us herbalists.
It often begins quietly, with a little thought, “What can I do to make my self healthy or whole?” The answer is whispered subtly and silently into the air, “Sit down on my roots, harvest some of my flowers and enjoy a lovely tea.” The plants have spoken, and we must listen. Sometimes it isn’t such a spiritual awakening. Other times I see clients and they tell me “I have all of these health issues and the doctors aren’t helping, what can I do???” and often the answer is “Eat this plant, drink these leaves, and connect again with the plants that are here to nourish you.”
I see this resurgence of herbalism as a re-awakening for those of us who got lost along our path in life, and want to return to nature, what is good, and real in the world, behind the corporate illusions thrust at us from early childhood. These are people who want to approach health holistically, and help to encourage healing in not only the body, but the spirit as well. People often find themselves in an herb school, or apprenticeship, and quickly find that even 1,000 hours of study is only scratching the surface of what there is to learn.
I get asked quite frequently, what happens when herb school is over? Do I start a practice? I’m not ready yet! There is so much to learn!
It is true, we would have to live whole lifetimes to learn everything there is to know about the interactions between the plants and the people. Understanding that lends us some freedom to pursue the path we most enjoy, and to mix it up when things get old.
I have found though, that herb conferences play an invaluable roll in my own education, and they play a key roll in my ability to constantly learn and grow. For the past five years, I have made it a point to attend at least one conference a year, to help me grow as a better herbalist, learn new and exciting things, meet amazing people, and help re-charge my practice when things tend to get overwhelming. I did this in years when there was no extra money, and only my sheer will and the assistance from some very wonderful people have gotten me there. I have gone with a baby at the breast, and another in diapers, camping without showers for a week. This is how important herb conferences are to me, and my practice.
Herb conferences have so many valuable benefits for beginners and experienced practitioners alike.
Here are some of the very many benefits of herb conferences:
Learn from 10+ amazing practitioners in one weekend! I find great value in the system of apprenticeship, where students learn intensively with a primary teacher or guide over many months or years. It is a fantastic way to begin learning about herbs, but I caution my own apprentices that I am a limited being with limited beliefs and experience. There is nothing more valuable than learning from people who are different than you, or your teacher, and seeing what knowledge they have to impart. Through conferences I have met, followed, and connected with herbalists I didn’t know exist, who now have a significant impact in my own practice. I have found teachers, mentors, and friends at conferences, and been inspired to constantly grow and learn.
Learn the local plants and traditional uses of these plants. Not all herb conferences have the same focus; many are very clinically focused, some are more focused on spiritual/magical uses, both often ignoring the vast history of traditional plant use in the Americas. This is why I created Mountain West Herb Gathering, to help connect the people in the Rocky Mountains and near by ranges to share their use of local, abundant, plants that grow in our own back yard. Even in classes discussing allergies, or bio-films our teachers put a local plant twist on the classes, which is so important.
Re-charge. Being at an herb conference, with your tribe, the people who get you and your “weird” quirks like sitting at the base of a tree meditating, harvesting fuzz from branches, tasting plants in the hopes of a correct ID, and walking off of trails. These people are my people, and I love being around them. They raise my vibe, embrace me for who I am, and understand that although we may disagree or practice differently, we are still the stewards, the healers, the warriors for what is good. We may be in classes all day, and dancing all night, yet we are still here, together, to learn, grow, and connect.
Connection and networking. Although the profession of herbalism is growing, we are still a scattered lot. Many people are the only herbalists around for miles, and often feel a bit of disconnect between themselves and the greater herb world at large. We do have online communities and discussion boards, but at the end of the day its nice to share a nice homemade cider with friends while discussing the different affects of an obscure plant on the nervous system. I often meet practitioners from other parts of the state, country, or world, who I can refer clients to when they are in need of help that I can’t give for whatever reason. I also meet local business owners who make products that I use in my business, and I can support them by purchasing my calendula, or bees wax, or jams and jellies from them, instead of from a larger wholesale supplier. This way I know my farmer, I know their practices, and I can support the small business of a local herbalist.
Inspiration. I don’t know about you, but after a busy season at farmers market, or when I am writing too much, too quickly, with no break, I get burnt out. When I get burnt out my creativity goes down the drain, and the inspiration I normally experience from plants and people wanes as well. The Traditions in Western Herbalism Conference happens every September, when my feeling of burnout seems to be the strongest. I go to Traditions, listen to their wonderful teachers, spend time with friends, and listen to teachers speak. I re-gain my inspiration, and it gives me the renewal I need to finish the year strong, inspired, and motivated to bring the plants to the people.
Joy. I honestly think I smile more when I am around my plant friends than I do any other time. They just bring such joy to my life; I wouldn’t know what to do without it.
Meet new teachers. I have found several of the teachers I have chosen to study with, either in person or online, at conferences. If you are looking to see if you click with a teacher, or an herb school, a conference is the perfect place to do that.
Broaden your understanding of plants. The American Herbalist Guild Symposium last fall was a wonderfully eye opening experience. I normally hang out with hedge witches, community herbalists, and those with rebellious hearts who you might often hear discussing ways to dismantle “the system”. At the AHG conference I met and learned from a lot of more clinical, scientifically minded herbalists who are working in research and development. I gained a great respect for the science I didn’t know yet, and the exciting new research coming down the line. Coming from a medical background, I often say you need both the science and the spirit to help re-integrate the people with the plants, and bring about right-relationship with nature. Many wonderful herbal practitioners don’t know much about the constituents, and don’t much care, because the plants work weather we know how, or not. I think to make planet passionate people in our very “scientifically” minded culture, we need these researchers doing this work, to help explain why plants can help us heal. I am still partial though, to saying “I don’t know how it works, its magic.” Because the why doesn’t really matter at all, hundreds of thousands of years of evolution have shown that quite well.
And here is some more input from other herbalists who also love to attend conferences.
“I LOVE attending herbal gatherings for so many reasons! Explore new plants, enjoy herbal classes with new teachers and longtime favourites. Connect with your 'tribe' ~ Imagine a circle filled with others as passionate as you are, about our green allies! In many ways, it's like a 'home-coming'. I have made life-long friends with the kindred Spirits I have met at herb conferences over the last 20 years! As a 'forever' student of herbs and herbal medicine, this marvelous time, every time, always brings me joy and I am renewed by these teachings.
Go with an open mind and heart. Expect to learn and perhaps meet a new 'friend for life' along the way. The green world awaits!”
“I attend herb conferences for many reasons. You learn about plants that are local to that area, and explore how native people used them. You find new teachers and continue your herbal journey. You will always learn some keystone information that opens up a new realization or new pathway that has confused you before. And meeting new people, seeing old friends, and sharing space together is the capstone of the event!”
“Herbal Conferences are an awesome resource for so many aspects of life! Interaction with the ever expanding herbal community, sharing intentions and exploring ideas, experiencing different teaching and learning styles, finding what resonates with you. Every time I go to a conference I am changed in some way. It maybe a bit of information that opened my mind to another perspective or a conversation with someone or exploring the bioregional plants of the area or inspiration from a new type of product I've never considered before. There's always an epiphany moment where something in my heart and brain opens to a new idea/perspective. Sometimes it's uncomfortable, sometimes it's pure magic, the experience is always moving. Like being introduced to a plant you've used medicinally but hadn't met the plant, then you go on a plant walk and there it is, waving at you in the breeze. It's like meeting an old friend after so many years you barely recognize them, until you do.”
Shana Lipner Grover
“I love connecting with others who share my passion for herbs, and I treasure the exchange of knowledge that takes place at these conferences. Think about it: if you learn to recognize two more plants at each conference, that's two more herbs you can learn about directly. And if your colleagues tell you about new ways of using herbs that you already use, or share new remedies with you, then you come back to your clinic with more ways of helping people. Then, as you start using the remedies, your knowledge and ability to help people grows, and you, in turn, share that knowledge with the colleagues you met at the conference, and the spiral of knowledge broadens.”
"Coming together with likeminded community, in honor of our love for the plants!!"
"I'm a big advocate of taking our health in our own hands and herbs are a critical part to wellness (IMHO). Herb conferences empower people with new knowledge AND help you meet like-minded people who may be on similar journeys as you. There's so much value in connecting with people who are interested in the same things as you and cultivating that long-term support network. In a super digital world, I think coming together in person is important for our mental health and helps re-energize our spirits." - Jessica Espinoza from Delicious Obsessions
"Education, empowerment, security and sustainability of our medicine, a forum to help integrate different healing traditions, making friends, laughter, connection around common passions and challenges...there are so many reasons!"
Katy Maitre Dynamic Roots & Alpine Botanicals
"While I have been to other kinds of conferences, the a Mountain West Herb Conference next month will be my first herbal conference. And I am very excited! Having discovered the beginning of my herbal journey only in the past few years, I am looking forward to meeting others that are as passionate about herbs as I am and to learning more that is region-specific. I am constantly reading books and taking workshops online and listening to webcasts but I'm looking forward to connecting in person and hopefully to making some new friends and mentors that will be a part of my journey. I feel like the hands-on aspect will fuel my growth much more than the grasping at knowledge that I feel like I'm doing so often. I am a forever student and since I can't go to school for herbal studies right now, I'll take a weekend-long conference!"
Sarah Cody
Well, what are you waiting for? Come join us for Mountain West Herb Gathering this June 16-19 in Breckenridge, CO. We have whole weekend passes, and day passes available. We will be connecting, growing, and expanding as a community while learning about local plants, and their many uses both for physical and spirit medicine.
I hope to see you there!
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