Zebrina Stofiel : Master Herbalist

My philosophy:
My teaching will be based on Allopathic studies. Basically, teaching how to keep you healthy instead of only focusing on immediate treatments. I believe modern medicine is great if used when needed (as my husband says “better living through chemistry”), but keeping yourself healthy every day with natural remedies and herbs is most important, so you don't need the modern medicine until it's more involved, an immediate need, or an emergency.

To me medicines are for immediate use to deaden and dull our senses to create immediate pain relief but it does not fix the problem. Our senses tell us when something is wrong in the body, we don't want them to become permanently dead or we will lose the ability to feel what our body might be telling us. Utilizing herbs to revitalize your senses and create a lasting flow of energy is best for your whole body. Herbs work slowly but will affect your health and well being.

Learning how to use herbs will greatly increase your health and well-being.

History and Knowledge:
All my life I have been told old wives tales and herbal fixes by my grandmothers. My Puerto Rican grandmother was always using natural remedies and ideas for keeping her and the family healthy. I would visit them every year in Puerto Rico and we would go to the forest and she would show me what I could and could not eat. When I was 14 years old I was introduced to a Native American Shaman and began learning the art and science of herbs seriously.

By the time I got to college I had a library of books and a full binder of notes and experiences with my own herbs. I was commuting to Salem MA on a daily basis for college when I found an apothecary shop and began to visit there every day. Teri, who ran Artemesia Botanicals, is an amazing apothecary who knows just about everything medicinal and spiritual about herbs. Over the next few years she became my mentor and teacher. By the time I graduated with my bachelor’s degree she was starting a Green Witch school. I decided I wanted to attend and asked her about the classes; she had me bring in my notebook for her to look over. We found that I had enough knowledge that it covered what she was teaching and she told me to keep doing what I was doing, as that was the sign of a true herbalist.

Almost everything in my kitchen is made from scratch. I try and create new home products for my family and friends in order to keep us healthy and safe. I have visited Sage Mountain - the herbal center Rosemary Gladstar created in Vermont. I have taken many herbal courses and still take them, as you can always learn more no matter how much knowledge you have. My enjoyment is to keep learning and using herbs so I can share my knowledge with others and help keep them healthy.

I was asked to start teaching my ways by everyone who has talked to me about herbs, my practical knowledge outweighs my book knowledge and I love to teach. So here I am - for you!