Granny Sam's Appalachian Herbals
I've been interested in plants and herbs most of my life. It started when I was small and would visit my grandparents. As I tagged along while they did their daily chores on the small farm they owned I'd plague them with questions. I learned as I grew, and felt a deep connection with all things wild. They nurtured my wildness, even encouraged it.
Fast forward 40 years or so. I moved here to the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains after my husband passed on, and found myself drawn once again to the wild things. I began to look up plants I found on the net. I bought book after book and inhaled them all.
Then I began going to Herbal Gatherings like the Medicines from the Earth Herbal Conference held every spring in nearby Black Mountain. Here I listened to people who knew a great deal about the herbs, and again I felt a connection. I learned from them, drinking in every class in my thirst for knowledge. I knew I wanted to be an Herbalist.
I started using some of the herbs I had come to know, and saw first hand what they could do for me. My health improved. St John's Wort helped me with my SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) that I'd been dealing with all my life. Raw local honey and nettle infusion cured me of my allergies. My dogs' health improved as I learned to use herbs for them, and I learned new ways to feed them.
Then I found Susun Weed, and became a correspondence student. I embraced the Wise Woman Tradition of healing, and began my Shamanic work with herbs under her guidance. I completed her Green Allies Course in 2005.
I attended the Appalachia School of Holistic Herbalism from March through November in 2007 and completed their Traditional Herbalists Course.
Other things I do;
Reiki Master/Teacher, Traditional Usui with William Rand's training; completed in 1998. I do not teach any more, preferring to focus my teaching skills on the herbs, but Reiki remains a part of my daily life.
Natural Diets for pets. I've been a raw feeder since 2000, and have seen the benefits a quality species specific natural diet can bring about. When I realized that so many people want to know about natural feeding, but don't know how to get started, I decided it was my responsibility to help people understand how to make the change, and bring newfound health and vitality into their pets' lives.
June 05. Me with three of my Akitas, Diva, Scooter, and Sonny
