My name is 7Song, and I am the curator of this herbal database. All of the information is written by me, though I am indebted to all those whom I have learned from, directly or indirectly. This has been my slow-burning project since the winter of 2021.
I have been deeply involved in herbal medicine since 1981, when I went to my first herb school, The Platonic Academy of Herbal Studies (yes, that’s its real name). Later, I went to the California School of Herbal Studies (1983) and, later still, the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine (1994 and 1995) with Michael Moore, where I also taught botany.

Throughout this time, I have immersed myself in the study of plants as medicine.
I am also a self-taught botanist and enjoy keying out and photographing these organisms. I am also a wanna-be naturalist and enjoy learning about many aspects of the natural and human-made world.
I am the main teacher and director of the Northeast School of Botanical Medicine, which I started in 1992. Organizing and teaching inquisitive minds is an excellent way to increase one’s own knowledge. I also regularly teach at schools and conferences throughout the US and abroad.

I am one of the founders and a clinical herbalist at the Ithaca Free Clinic, where I am also the director of holistic medicine. My work there has been a cornerstone of my understanding of clinical herbal medicine. I have been a part of the clinic since its inception in 2005. It is an integrated clinic offering both conventional and holistic medicine. Consultations with all health providers are free. And the herbal medicine provided by the herbalist (that would be me) is also free. The clinic continues to be an invaluable learning experience for me and an asset to our community and beyond.

An important area of study and practice for me is herbal first aid. I have worked at numerous first aid stations for over 40 years, often in off-the-grid locations. In these situations, occasionally alongside medical staff, I have learned evaluation skills and the treatment of acute injuries and illnesses such as food poisoning and staph infections.
On a more personal note, science and clinical experience are my lenses into herbal medicine and health care. While I have learned a lot, it feels like just the tip of understanding plants as medicine and the intricacies of human health.