I am a community and clinical herbalist, with the basis of my work in providing accessible and supportive healthcare for folks of all ages and backgrounds. I focus on the bodies’ innate drive towards healing oneself, and supporting body systems so there is space for the whole being to come into balance. I do not body shame or blame. 

In addition to clinical herbalism, I teach classes and workshops on natural dyeing of fiber and medicine making with a land tending perspective, using plants that are invasive and species that have traditionally relied on fire, coppicing and active engagement to thrive. My philosophy is based on building relationship with landscapes and understanding, history, context, and layers of complexity that make up place. My practice is located in Santa Cruz, on occupied Awaswas-speaking Ohlone Territory. I am also available via Skype, phone, and in-home visits and classes within the greater Monterey and SF bay area.

-Dorothy/Burl Wood, clinical herbalist, musician, textile artist

Education

2020     DTCM/MTCM Program at Five Branches University  (Current student) 
• Current student in dual doctorate and masters program focused on primary health care with Traditional Chinese Medicine including acupuncture, herbal medicine, orthopedics, and dietetics.

2019     Clinic & Case Study Program- Bay Herbalism School of Clinical Studies 
• Seven month long clinical course designed for advanced herbal therapeutic practitioners in Traditional Western Herbalism
• Extensive case study round-table discussion and mentorship
• Created free mobile herbal clinic

2017     Community Herbalist Training, California School of Herbal Studies
•  Seven Month intensive clinical program focused on working with clients, understanding disease pathologies and creating personalized formulas with herbal recommendations
• 240 hour curriculum including class time and medicine making in lab

2017      Herbal Medicine Making Intensive, California School of Herbal Studies
• Weekend herbal medicine making using alternative solvents and extraction methods

2016      Herbal Heart of Winter: Advanced Apprenticeship
• Four month program at the Philo School of Herbal Energetics in Philo, CA
• Focus on writing plant profiles, organ systems, diagnosis and theory

2016      Heart of Herbology Apprenticeship Program
• At the Philo School of Herbal Energetics in Philo, CA with Mary Pat Palmer
• Seven Months, 70 hour certificate program that emphasizes localized plant cultivation, body systems, distillation & hydrosols, and traditional plant uses

2015       Yerba Women Herbal Apprenticeship Program
• At Motherland Botanical Sanctuary in Willits, CA with Donna d’Terra
• Nine Months, 90 hour Certificate in Herbology Program that included herbal medicine making, plant identification and cultivation, kitchen herb use

2008- 2012      University of California, Santa Cruz
• B.A. in Community Studies
• Emphasis on Agriculture, Food and Social Justice

2010      Sierra Institute, Humboldt State University
• Two month full time outdoor education program
• Emphasis on sustainable agriculture and wilderness education

Other: Wilderness First Responder and First Aid certified, CPR certified, amateur radio licensed