Meet the Herbalist

River Kennedy is a Eugene-based herbalist specializing in the intuitive art of formulations. When we decided to make our own line of handcrafted combination tinctures here at Mountain Rose, we were honored to have River come on as our extract formulator. She is the owner of Terra Firma Botanicals, as well as a certified mediator, a certified practitioner of NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming), a health & wellness counselor, and the mother of two. She has been a practicing herbalist and medicine maker since 1982.

We hope you enjoy this interview with River!

1. Can you recall the moment when you realized that herbalism would be your path?

I was 16 and living in New York back in the 1970’s when herbalism and healthy eating were almost an unknown. I was passionate about organic foods, living and health, so when our local college offered an herbal beauty class by the author Dian Dincin Buchman, I jumped at the chance to learn anything that I could about herbs. I was hooked!

2. Did you have special teachers or mentors?

I mentioned Dian already and she was my propulsion into the wonders of herbs. I am for the most part self-taught. I read Back to Eden, Hygieia and Culpepper’s books and practiced on myself, friends, and family for many years.

3. What was the most influential herb book you read and why?

I found this book, Hearts-Ease by Mrs. C.F. Leyel in a used book store and was intrigued and completely absorbed by the knowledge and descriptions from this book from the 40’s. She deeply delves into herbs for the heart, glands, viscera, nerves, brain and alterative herbs.

4. What herbs do you take regularly and why?

I use Turmeric and Milk Thistle for liver health. I mostly use my formulated combination tinctures for bladder health, circulation, adrenals. The list is endless!

5. What do you consider to be the most important aspect of making plant medicine?

I believe that plant medicine should be made only when one is in a loving and healing place. These gifts from our Earth should always be made with reverence and with good intentions of healing. Of course, using high quality herbs and making tinctures (extracts) as potent as possible is also very important. These ideals, to me, are by far the most important aspect of making plant medicine.

6. With all of the tumult surrounding herbs and herbalism in the world today, what would you like to see for the future of herbalism?

I would love for herbalism to go back to its roots, but in lieu of that, I would hope that integrity and human compassion remain more important than the massive streams of paperwork that we are now required to fill out.

7. Who are some of your favorite herbalists (past or present)?

Nicholas Culpepper, Mrs. C.F. Leyel, Jethro Kloss, David Hoffman, Michael Moore, Colette Gardiner.

8. Do you have any tips to share with budding herbalists?

Make sure you that you have properly identified the plant and its uses before dispensing to friends, family and the public.

This sounds cliché but really … Do it for the love and not for the money!

9. Are there any exciting projects that you are currently working on and would like to share?

We are expanding our syrup and elixir line to include some fair trade dark chocolate herbal elixirs. First one out is called River’s Rhapsody and is a blend of Orange-infused honey, fresh Hawaiian Kava, Maqui Berry and Chocolate.

10. Is there one herb that you feel especially connected to, and if so, in what way?

Borage is my absolute favorite herb as it brings courage to me and others in these tumultuous times. It helps dispel sorrow and grief and is amazing at strengthening the adrenals. You really can’t ask for more!