In late June, I was fortunate enough to attend the truly incredible and inspirational 10th International Herb Symposium.  Rosemary Gladstar and Jeff Carpenter (Rosemary's step-son and owner of Zach Woods Herb Farm) facilitate the conference biennially at Wheaton College, an utterly beautiful college within the quaint town of Norton, Massachusetts.  The event was attended by over 650 plant and herb loving folks from all around the world, including places as far flung as South America and Europe.   The International Herb Symposium is a benefit for United Plant Savers, a non-profit organization that Rosemary founded and works tirelessly to save native medicinal plants within the United States and Canada.

Our days at the symposium were extremely full as we tended to our booth in the busy vendor area, learned from renowned herbalists, explored the gorgeous campus, chatted with customers and friends, and enjoyed nighttime revelries.  The schedule was so packed with inspirational classes that the most difficult part of attending the conference was trying to decide which class to attend next!

One of my favorite classes was A Taste of Herbs with Christopher Hedley.  An herbal educator for over 30 years, Christopher taught us how to use organoleptic testing to determine a plant’s properties by using our senses of taste, smell, and how the herb affects us when ingested.  This class really changed the way that I think about approaching and experiencing botanicals, even those that I am already familiar with.

Paul Stamets' lecture on Mycoremediation, Microfiltration and Micoremedies: the use of mycelial membranes to heal ecosystems was absolutely incredible.  Paul is doing amazing and astounding work with mushrooms, proving that they are beneficial for much more than food and medicine.  His studies prove that mycelium can replace chemical insecticides and herbicides, break down toxic wastes including oil spills, into non-toxic forms, and repel mosquitoes away from humans.  This groundbreaking work gave me a brand new respect for the healing properties of mushrooms.  Yet more reasons to love fungi!

Another highlight was Doug Elliott’s herb walk, Weeds for your Needs.  Doug Elliott’s classes are always a fun and entertaining experience, complete with storytelling, harmonica playing, singing, and much more!  In his class, we roamed the rich wooded campus and identified the botany, natural history, folklore, and uses of medicinal, edible, and other wild plants.  I can’t wait to see Doug again at Rootstalk!

In Keeping You and Your Microflora Happy, Nancy Phillips taught us how to make sauerkraut, kimchi, yogurt, and other healthful fermented foods that are beneficial for digestion.  Nancy also discussed the emotional, healthful, and medicinal benefits of optimal digestion. Prior to taking this class, I did not realize that digestion affects us on so many levels, and plan to incorporate even more fermented foods and probiotics into my daily diet.

In her class, An Herbalist on the Road – Traveler’s First Aide, Rosemary Gladstar shared her favorite herbal remedies and preparations when traveling.  She kept us entertained by recounting stories of her gypsy travels and international adventures while discussing "must haves" always stowed away in her personal herbal first aid kit.

Rocio Alarcon taught an incredible class titled Plants and Shamanism: Practical Activities in our Daily Life in which she demonstrated how to cleanse ourselves utilizing shamanistic practices from the Andes and the tropical rainforests of Ecuador. She led us through two cleansing ceremonies, one utilizing fresh Yarrow, Chamomile, Roses, and Lavender and one in which we were allowed to choose from an array of dried herbs to burn in a smoldering pile of White Sage.  I felt completely transformed after leaving her class, all of my stress and cares completely melted away!

At night we enjoyed lively music and storytelling by Doug Elliott and his son Todd Elliott, soulful tunes and beautiful firedancing by Appalachia Rising, an herbalists' ball with fresh Kava punch supplied by Herbal Ed of Herb Pharm, comic relief from Mark Blumenthal, and a keynote address by Paul Stamets.

The joyous event concluded on Sunday with a closing circle led by Rosemary Gladstar with music by Appalachia Rising and Brigitte Addington, and traditional ceremonies led by Raylene Ha`alelea Kawaiae`a from Hawaii and Rocio Alarcon from Ecuador.  It was a perfect way to end the conference.

Attending herbal conferences is truly a nourishing and inspiring experience.  Seeing and speaking to our herbal elders and educators in person is a magical and transformative experience, as is meeting other like-minded folk within the herbal community.  Thank you, Rosemary, for treating us all to such an incredible and life-changing experience!  I can’t wait for this year's Rootstalk Festival, and the opportunity to be part of this incredible community again in the very near future.