At a time when the herb industry in the U.S. is becoming increasingly fad oriented and corporate, the need for self-reliance and socially-environmentally responsible healthcare has become vitally important.

I began teaching classes in wholistic health and herbology in 1998 to offer the community new opportunities for health care, self empowerment, and connection to the natural world. My intention is to be a guide to the human body and our bioregion, as well as to be a resource for both traditional and modern herbal knowledge.

As we gather and prepare edible and medicinal plants together we maintain our contact with the vital life force inherent in our environment and each plant. It is this vitality and sense of connection to all things that keeps us whole and healthy.

Biography:

Jon Carlson is the Founder and Director of the Vitalist School of Herbology.  His experience as a Teacher, Clinical Herbalist, Ethical Wild-Crafter, & Medicine-Maker spans the past 20 years.  He has served as adjunct faculty at Prescott College, a guest teacher at the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine, Herb Pharm and the Ashland Charter High School, and offers classes regularly through the North Mountain Nature Center.  Blending traditional practices and modern research perspectives with his expertise of western flora, Jon's mission is to be a community resource and share his medicine, counsel and enthusiasm for medicinal plants.  Jon resides in Ashland, where he wanders the woods, eats weeds, makes medicine, teaches, and sees clients for private consultations.