Meet the Herbalist:
Sharol Tilgner
Meet Sharol Tilgner, the founder of Wise Acres Farm, the Northwest Herb Fest, Wise Woman Herbals, and The Pacific NW Herbal Symposium, as well as the editor of Herbal Transitions and associate editor of Medical Herbalism. Sharol has been an herbalist for over 20 years, is a licensed naturopathic physician, and is the author of the well-known and loved book "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth". In addition, Sharol manages a biodynamic farm which includes a full herbal garden, goats, and much much more! Learn more about this accomplished and amazing herbalist!
1. Can you recall the one moment when you were convinced that herbalism would be a path for you?
For me, the choice of being an herbalist was as much of a choice as is breathing air. It was simply the way my life unfolded. Growing up with a plant loving grandmother gave me a hands on education with the green beings on this planet. She was not even the herbalist and midwife that my great grandmother was. I think the calling jumped from my great grandmother to me. There was probably some genetic imprinting that was sent to me from her. I have always loved to watch the plants go through their yearly cycles and see how much they change as time goes by. Participating in the world with these green beings has been such a delightful journey.
2. What was the most influential book you have ever had the opportunity to read and for what reasons?
I have been an avid reader all my life. As a child, while other kids were outside playing I wanted to finish my daily book before I went out my bedroom door. I have to admit as I have gotten older I tend to spend too much time reading “How to books.” How to care for bees. How to build a barn. How to do just about everything. I miss the days of reading for simple pleasure.
There are so many books that have etched their words on my mind and shaped my life. I would have to say that Richard Bach’s book, Illusions, was probably the one that was the most influential. I had not been imprinted by strict religious views, so I was quite open to his ideas and was profoundly affected by his book. It was one of the many instigating factors that lead to my meeting up with and becoming intimate with that great spirit that we are all intricately a part of. When I read it, I was in my early 20’s and a student at Portland State University. I was so affected by the book that I purchased a whole case of Richard’s book and anonymously passed them out to people I thought would benefit by reading it.
As far as herb books go, there are so many excellent books that it is hard to say that one single book has been more influential than another. If I have to pick one, I guess it would be Kings American Dispensatory. When I found that set of books in the National College of Naturopathic Medicine’s library I was so overjoyed. I learned so much from reading them as a college student and continue to use it as a wonderful herbal resource now.
3. With all the tumult surrounding herbs and herbalism in the world today, where would you like for the future of herbalism to be headed?
I am not so much concerned for herbalism as I am for our planet as a whole. The things that concern me about herbalism, such as disappearance of our wild herbs, contamination of the farms we grow herbs on, and the interference of government due to big money interests, are all symptoms of a society that has become out of touch with spirit. Being out of touch with spirit has led to many of the problems we now face on planet Earth. The biggest problem we face is the rampant proliferation of our species on a beautiful planet that can not withstand the shear numbers of humans that are blanketing the globe faster than dandelions.
Trying to save the wild herbs is as noble an endeavor as is trying to save the land, but it is only treating a symptom. We need to admit we have a population problem and be willing to do something about the root cause.
Luckily, as individuals we can make great changes. True change starts with the individual. We need to stay centered and remember our connection with each other and all that exists. We can interact with others from a place of love and always intend to do our best. This leads us in the right direction and will lead herbalism into the direction that is best for the planet. For myself this leads me on the path of raising many different herbs at Wise Acres Farm. These herbs are then available to students who want to become acquainted with them, learn to grow them, how to harvest them, and how to prepare them for use as a food or medicine for their family, animals and community. These simple things take herbalism into a promising direction. When people know how to grow, harvest and prepare their own medicines they are empowered to take care of their own health care and not be dependant on a social medical system. Additionally, growing one’s own food and medicine creates spiritual connection. Students can not help but marvel at the beauty of nature as they examine the intricate life of a compost pile, or smell the farms dirt on their hands. How could they not be spiritually stirred by the amazing journey a plant takes from a tiny seed to become this incredible being that takes the raw energy of sunlight and transforms it into tissues of their body. They are our food, our medicine and provide us with the oxygen we need to survive. They provide fuel for our fires, clothing for our skin, and shelter for our protection. I am forever grateful to these beings and thankful for their existence.
4. What herbs do you take regularly and why?
I like to consume mineral rich herbs such as nettles, raspberry leaf, oat straw, red clover, kelp, parsley, cilantro… I tend to use whatever is in season in the summer and then a mix of various herbs in the winter. There is one herb that I take often that I feel is good for most people on this planet to use regularly. That is milk thistle. Our cellular enzyme systems are working overtime due to the ingestion of pollutants in our food, air and water. The enzyme systems in our cells, especially our liver and intestines can use the help that milk thistle can provide in its ability to increase glutathione, which is a tripeptide that is used in both phase I and phase II cellular transformation of toxins. It is also a protective herb for the liver, plus it is able to assist the liver in regenerating liver cells when the liver has already been damaged. It is an all around fantastic antioxidant making it useful in many situations. The activities of milk thistle make it helpful in a multitude of health conditions. It is a wonderful preventative herb for the 21st century.
It is readily available in the wild. If you wish to purchase it, it is such an inexpensive herb that everyone can afford it. You can buy the raw seeds or harvest them and simply grind them up in a coffee grinder as you need them. In most cases you can take anywhere from 1/2 teaspoon to a teaspoon twice per day. I simply put a spoonful in my mouth and follow it with a chaser of water which allows it to go down the throat smoothly. Without the water it is of course hard to swallow. (Just a hint, don’t try breathing the powder into your lungs. It is not fun.) The ground seed should be refrigerated if it is not used right away as it will go rancid otherwise. This is amazingly helpful for anyone who has chemical sensitivities, liver damage of various kinds, or is in an environment with pollutants in excess of what their body can transform and dispose of properly. (That is a lot of people unfortunately.)
5. Who are some of your favorite herbalists?
Well this is an easy answer as my very favorite herbalist is the person who was my favorite mentor along my herbal path. This would be Cascade Anderson Geller. I took classes from her prior to going to the National College of Naturopathic Medicine and then I was lucky enough to have her as my teacher at the college. You just can’t get the real understanding of a plant without meeting it, becoming acquainted with it as it is growing, learning to harvest it and then actually preparing it for use. Cascade took all of us students through the hands on stages of getting to know plants, as well as providing detailed lecture material that consisted of her personal use, clinical use, herstorical/historical use and scientific research. She was and still is such an excellent, well rounded teacher. She is also a woman with a lot of integrity and I just adore her.
6. Do you have any brief tips to share with budding new herbalists?
Herbalism is an exhilarating area of interest where you will never become bored. There is no point where you reach the end and feel like you know it all. Each turn brings something more interesting than the last. Those herbs just draw you in further and further into a deep and abiding love for them. Read books, learn from many teachers, but always let the herbs have the last word. They will share secrets with you that no one else will tell you.
7. When not involved with herbs, what invokes your passion and interests?
Are there any projects that you are currently involved in that you would like to discuss or anything that you are especially excited about?
I find life in general to be quite exhilarating. I actually get entertained by daily living and it does not take that much to peak my interest. A new bug I have never seen before or a new baby goat can totally amaze me. Living on a farm is a chance for me to live with an abundance of herbs where I can experience new things each day. Farm life is all about variety and is truly the “spice of life. “
Currently my newest passion is making goat cheese. I have been making it for a few years, but this last year I became quite focused on it and started making a variety of herbal cheeses. I have to say that fenugreek gouda is definitely my current favorite. I am totally amazed at what bacteria and milk can create together.
I love experimenting with bacteria and yeast in fermentation of foods and drink of all kinds. Even more, I love sharing those creations with friends. When you visit the farm, we will be putting our newest beer, wine, cheese or fermented garden veggies in front of you to try.