Herbal Healing by April Horton

Today I thought I’d share a little about my herbal path here.

I started getting interested in herbal healing in 1995, shortly after moving from upstate NY to Arizona. At the time I lived in a very small apartment complex in Phoenix, AZ and one of my neighbors was a Native American woman who worked out of her apartment. She was an aromatherapist and massage therapist and taught everyone around her about plants and bodywork. She was one of those sort of people that touched everyone she met with her healing presence and knowledge in a very direct manner. She certainly touched my life, though I didn’t realize it at the time how pivotal our friendship was on my own healing path. I am only sad I have long ago lost touch with her. She was one of those passing healing spirits though as far as I can determine. Anyway she  basically opened my eyes to the world of plant medicine with her herbal wines, oils, tinctures and incenses. I was completely smitten with herbs after getting to know this woman.  All of us women in the apartment complex were and she had several devoted students studying under her informally! She taught us all an enormous amount about plant medicine.

From that point on at the age of 21, I started studying everything I could about herbs and herbalism. (I will be 35 this year)

First I sought out large quantities of books at the wonderful (and massively huge) libraries in Phoenix. I was introduced to the works of the great herbalists of our time. Susun Weed, Rosemary Gladstar, Michael Moore, Michael Teirra,  David Hoffman, etc. (I am going to post a book list at some point down the road so watch for that!)

Once the Internet was available to me a couple of years later I took 2 different correspondence programs which were wonderful. (through the Herbal Healing Academy and Australasian College of Health Sciences)

I then started pursuing hands on classes. First I started with several classes at Pima Community College. Then various private classes with local folks. Then a 5 month intensive through the Sonoran Herbal Institute with Pam Hyde-Nakai in Tucson, AZ.  Pam is another Native American woman that greatly influenced my path and understanding of the plant world. That course was by far the BEST as we explored so many regions of the desert! We also had wild food potlucks, made tinctures, salves,  tonics, did plant walks, harvested plants in the wild, monthly theory lectures, hands on field work, collected seeds, introduced to the AZ healing community teacher by teacher, learned about Native American healing ways and medicine, etc. It was by far the best class I have taken to date.

I am very interested in ethnobotany and native plants. I also like to forage for wild foods. I have also dabbled in Ayurvedic herbalism.

Currently, I am hoping to take the Master Herbalist training through Heart of Herbs in Vermont in the very near future which I am excited about. I am hoping to get my partner to do it along with me. (Hint,hint to Charles- and SURPRISE- this is going be your bday gift from me this year!)

I am in the process of moving to New England now and anxious for spring and summer to get here so I can discover a whole new region of native plants!

Another herbal passion of mine is TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) and I studied theory of The Five Elements, TCM and Acupressure/Shiatsu for 2 years at DIHA (Desert Institute of the Healing Arts) in Tucson, AZ.  I would like to learn much more about Chinese herbs. Some day when I have time and the money (aka when my kids are a bit older) and if the opportunity presents itself, I may go to acupuncture school.

This path has taken me on many twists and turns. I have studied and been exposed to so many healing paths due to my herbal studies. From color therapy to Reiki and everything in between!  I never know exactly which direction this path will take me but I am enjoying it immensely.

Anyway, I just wanted to clarify I am not claiming to know everything about herbs. It is always an ongoing process. I do know a lot about plants from my own journey but every day is a new learning experience! Use common sense. Do your research.  ALWAYS consult 3 sources. (I work under this premise myself and so should you). Most importantly if in doubt about a particular plant or formula, trust your instincts!

I am not using this blog to make medical claims but to share with you what has worked for me, my family and friends as well as to share general herbal knowledge. I hope to inspire you to use herbal healing in your daily life.

These days I am a part time freelance writer and trying to combine my passions. I enjoy using herbs and writing about alternative healing modalities, so that is what I have been focusing on recently. This blog is turning out to be a lot of fun for me. I am also thinking about writing a series of e-books eventually.

Thanks for reading and please leave a comment if you would like me to write about something specific!

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