Why Chamomile Makes an Ideal First Plant Teacher for Beginners

Chamomile is not just a gentle herb; it's a gateway to herbalism and true healing. Discover how this humble plant shifts our understanding from force to invitation and nurturing.
I was born and mostly raised in Texas, but life has taken me on quite a journey since then. After graduating high school, I attended college in Southeast Missouri, where I began a seven-year career at TG USA, a factory specializing in car body parts. I started in Quality Control, but eventually transitioned to Mold Technician in the Injection Molding department. There, I was responsible for programming, troubleshooting, and maintaining the machines and robots used in production.
In pursuit of deeper understanding, I studied Anthropology at Southeast Missouri State University for three years. However, my path took an unexpected turn when I had to leave school to escape an abusive relationship. This led me to the west coast of Washington, where I sought refuge on Lopez Island. I spent several years living off the land, growing my own food, milking cows, and creating clothing from organic and repurposed fabrics. This period of my life taught me the value of simplicity and sustainability, and it became the foundation for my ongoing commitment to living harmoniously with nature.
In 2011, I began studying permaculture, which influenced not only my gardening practices but also the way I structure my life. I was deeply involved in a community garden from 2007-2013, where I helped organize meetings, lead work parties, and design physical improvements to the garden. Around this time, I also began studying herbs for wellness, diving into the art of growing and using herbs for both health and culinary purposes. This ongoing self-guided study has become an integral part of my life.
One of my most notable accomplishments was helping to make San Juan County, Washington, legally GMO-free in 2012. As part of a team, I educated locals at farmers markets, built a website, and shared resources to raise awareness about the dangers of genetically engineered crops. It was an incredibly rewarding experience to see our collective efforts lead to such a meaningful change.
In 2013, I purchased a home within the Lopez Community Land Trust, only to discover that it was riddled with mold due to poor construction. Despite the builders' legal safeguards, the homes were making people sick. After selling the house in 2015, my partner Peter, our son, and I set out on a journey across the Western United States. We traveled through Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah, meeting fascinating people and gathering countless stories along the way.
In 2016, I began exploring the healing potential of frequency, and this study is still ongoing. I’ve also spent several years living in Nevada County, California, from 2018 to 2024, where I came to understand the weight of spiritual warfare and the importance of resilience. Those years were challenging, but they also deepened my personal and spiritual growth, and provided me with more stories to tell.
Through it all, my journey has been one of constant learning, self-discovery, and a commitment to living authentically. I continue to explore new ways of healing, of connecting with nature, and of sharing these experiences with others.

Chamomile is not just a gentle herb; it's a gateway to herbalism and true healing. Discover how this humble plant shifts our understanding from force to invitation and nurturing.

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