(Ginseng Photo courtesy of: © Sandra Cundiff, 2008.)

Nathaniel Whitmore teaches about WILD EDIBLE AND MEDICINAL PLANTS AND MUSHROOMS. He regularly offers PLANT AND MUSHROOM WALKS, CLASSES, and WORKSHOPS at various locations in Wayne County, PA and beyond.

Nathaniel practices as a clinical herbalist and shiatsu therapist at THE HONESDALE WELLNESS CENTER (in Honesdale, PA) and SACRED SPACES ALTERNATIVE HEALING CENTER (in Hollisterville, PA). These centers are also primary teaching locations for Nathaniel.

Walks and classes are focused on the practical aspects of IDENTIFICATION, HARVEST, PREPARATION, and USE of WILD EDIBLES and MEDICINAL HERBS. Nathaniel teaches from his experience as a wild food forager (a large portion of the vegetables that Nathaniel consumes come from the wild) and from his experiences working with medicinal plants. As an herbalist, Nathaniel specializes in the use of local wild herbs. He makes tinctures, cough syrup, and salve from the wild.

Generally walks and classes are open to the public. Often by donation. Sometimes walks are with organizations that require registration and/or a set fee. Nathaniel is also available for private walks.

You might also find Nathaniel at SPECIAL EVENTS such as FAIRS and FESTIVALS, where he often sets up tables and leads walks.

Nathaniel Whitmore is a local expert on edible and medicinal wild plants and mushrooms. He teaches frequently throughout the area and practices herbal medicine and shiatsu.

Growing up on a farm in Damascus, PA, he has always lived close to plants and began studying with an herbalist and wild foods forager while still in high school. He went on to study herbal medicine with Clayton College of Natural Health and dietetics and shiatsu at the Kushi Institute. He also studied shiatsu at the Endless Mountains School of Shiatsu and elsewhere. He has studied with some the the country's leading herbalists and continues to study privately with an herbalist in Forestburg, NY.

Nathaniel has extensive experience harvesting and using wild plants and mushrooms. He makes herbal medicine preparations, including tinctures, cough syrups, and salves from local plant medicines. He also harvests a vast number of plants and mushrooms for food. A large portion of his diet consists of wild edibles, and at certain times of the year almost all of his vegetables come from the wild. Wild nuts, acorns, berries, and mushrooms are also staples of his diet.

Nathaniel frequently leads plant and mushroom walks for the public and for schools, camps, nature centers, and other private events. He teaches regularly at the Honesdale Wellness Center, at Sacred Spaces Alternative Healing Center, and at the Lodge at Woodloch.

NORTHERN LIGHT NATURAL FOODS HERB STORE TOUR

November 22nd from 2-4pm.

Donations for Nathaniel accepted.

Nathaniel will discuss the herbs that can be found on the shelf at Northern Lights Natural Foods in Hawley. Selection of herbs for various conditions, preparation, and contraindications will all be discussed. Participants will have the opportunity to sample some preparations.

This is a great way to begin learning about the practical uses of herbal medicines!

PLEASE CHECK BACK IN LATE WINTER / EARLY SPRING FOR NATHANIEL'S 2009 SCHEDULE.

If you are interested in scheduling Nathaniel for a walk or talk in 2009, please call him at (570) 224-0264.

For those who are interested in the regular and thorough study of natural medicine, I offer weekly group classes / study sessions.

One group meets at the Honesdale Wellness Center on Mondays, one meets at Clearwater Acres on Wednesdays, and one may be starting up at Sacred Spaces Alternative Healing Center.

Let me know if you would like to attend.

Shiatsu is pressure point therapy (acupressure) based on the body’s meridian system. The treatment takes place on a futon with the client fully dressed. The meridians and the pressure points that exist along the meridians are treated with thumb and finger pressure, palm pressure, and other techniques, such as gentle stretching. The theory of meridians is based on Asian traditions, especially Traditional Chinese Medicine. Shiatsu techniques were refined in Japan and the practice is usually identified by the Japanese word “shiatsu”, which means “finger pressure”. During the basic full-body session focus is given to certain points and meridians based on particular complaints. The overall goal of shiatsu is to support health and wellbeing by encouraging the balanced flow of ki (“chi” or “life force”). Recipients typically feel both an increase in calmness and an increase in energy.

See the top of this page for links to a list of on-line articles and for a link to sign up for my newsletter. Archived newsletters are published on the web, but it is sometimes difficult to bring them up.

My newsletters typically contain updates to my nature walk and class schedule, reminders of events, and articles about natural medicine.

Please take the time to look through the articles posted. I put them on the web because I believe they can be helpful. I also write monthly for Connections Magazine and occasionally for other local publications.