Join herbalist Katherine Elmer to traverse the folk wisdom and modern scientific understanding of some common wild and cultivated forest fungi. We will taste mushroom chai, share recipes, and discuss the optimal processing and medicinal benefits of tonic varieties of medicinal mushrooms such as shiitake, chaga, reishi and turkey tail.
Katherine grew up in the green hills of Central Vermont and revels in the opportunity to connect with clients around a shared love of place and nature through whole foods nutrition and herbal medicine. She views clinical herbalism as an opportunity to partner with others in a healing journey towards peace with oneself and the world. Ultimately, she seeks to empower clients to develop (or rediscover) their own self-care strategies. Katherine is trained to work with medical doctors and other wellness practitioners to provide you with client-centered care. In partnership with others, she hopes to participate in a system of healthcare wherein primary care is Nature-based and practiced in the home, the tools of conventional high-tech medicine serve as secondary resources, and the herbalist acts as a bridge between the two. Katherine teaches Herbal Medicine and advises the Student Herbalism Club at the University of Vermont. She also participates in UVM’s Program in Integrative Health. In addition to her efforts as a clinically-trained Community Herbalist, Katherine is co-founder of Spoonful Herbals, an activist/performer with Botanical Burlesque, and a mom.
