As a toddler growing up in Ohio, I knew two things: 1) I loved to garden with my aunts and 2) heal things that ailed (people, pets, bugs, etc). I chose nursing as a career and eventually became a Family Nurse Practitioner. For 30 years I loved it and for the most part, it loved me right back! However, there was always a little piece missing, some deeper connection that was absent. It took a major health challenge in my early 40’s plus rapid changes in how healthcare was being structured (i.e., more pharmaceuticals, less time to listen) to realize I no longer wanted to be a part of that system. I studied shamanism, became a Reiki master…and enrolled in herb school. When I walked into the first day of class, I felt like I had come home. Fast forward three years: I graduated from the Clinical Herbalist program at Sacred Plant Traditions in November 2013 and the following month I opened The Elderberry. I believe that everyone can benefit from the amazing power of plant medicine. If you struggle with integrating herbs into your life or want more clarity about herbs, our certified, experienced herbalists can help. We know herbs, including the science behind them. We cater to both experienced and novice herb seekers. Whether you’re confused or unsure of which herbs to use for a specific problem, or want feedback on an herb formula, we’re here to help you sort out the facts from the hype.

Since I was a very little girl, I have had a relationship with plants. This relational thread has followed me through my many experiences, including coming of age in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, homeschooling through high school, going to college as an older student, playing music, waiting tables, teaching dance, traveling, and everything in between. Finally, I have heeded the sometimes quiet, sometimes deafening call and have begun to formally delve into herbalism. I am a student of Sacred Plant Traditions, and am in the process of exploring my personal connection with the practice as I accrue as much knowledge as I can soak up on the way. In addition to herbalism, I practice Tarot, study nutrition, anatomy and physiology, psychology, and a host of other subjects. I have deep interests and practices in ancestral work, inner-child work, handicraft, tending wild and cultivated plants, and the daily work of bowing to the magic that permeates all things. I intend to continue my herbal studies with these practices as underpinnings in the interest of providing a service as in-depth and holistic as it can be.

Our Senior Consultant and Education Director Heather Wetzel, MEd, RH, has been serving the Charlottesville community as a certified clinical herbalist since 2008. A seasoned herbal educator, she teaches classes at a wide variety of venues from private homes, fields and garden gatherings to Sacred Plant Traditions clinical program, Robust Roanoke and West Virginia University on-line. She also handcrafts delicious herbal products plus offers herbal consultations and coaching sessions during which she creates customized formulations for each client. Her practice is a unique combination of Traditional Western herbalism and Qest4 Bioenergetic technology. For more information about Heather and how she can support you in meeting your health goals and most vibrant well-being, please visit www.heathersherbals.com, follow her on Instragram/Facebook or better yet, call her at 434-760-5409 to discuss how a session might benefit you.