Writer | Herbalist | Wanderer

Hi there, I’m Suzanne.

I’m a freelance health writer, herbalist, yoga teacher, and meditator. Thanks for showing up to hear my story. I feel that sharing our stories opens the doors to connection and belonging. I’d hope to hear your story someday.

There was a time in my life when pursuing my passions seemed like a radical idea. I was working as an attorney in a large Los Angeles-based firm and my life was anything but radical. But, I’d always been a bit untamed—that’s how this Ohio girl found herself in Los Angeles to begin with.

Maybe the rebellious seed was planted early. There was that time I organized the girls in my 4th-grade class to wear pants to school. (It was the 70’s and social norms dictated that girls wear skirts and dresses.) So, infuse that wild streak with a strong dose of wanderlust and I was bound at some point to shed the dark suit and other confines of a major law firm. And so I did. I took the leap, left my career in Los Angeles, and moved to northern California to become an herbalist. 

I was drawn to herbal medicine by my lifelong love of nature. One of my happiest childhood memories is skipping headlong and free down a forest path with my father and brother trailing in the distance. Decades later, when I first visited the California School of Herbal Studies where I received my training, the director said, “If you come here, it will change your life.” I remember it so vividly! His prophecy in that stunning medicinal herb garden came true.

As a student of plant medicine and later as an herbal practitioner, I became immersed in a world of holistic health and sustainable living. My life was changed. Eventually, my love of nature evolved to include a desire to serve both plants and people. In my holistic view of health, the health of the individual is intimately connected to and dependent upon the health of the systems in which they live. I want to help people take back their power and become responsible for their own healing and collectively, for the healing of our planet.

As an herbalist, I’ve worked in clinical practice and managed an integrative pharmacy and an integrative medical clinic. I’ve owned a herbal apothecary and been a small business owner and entrepreneur.

Sharing my knowledge is also a really important part of my work as an herbalist. I’ve created the content for and taught 100’s of classes, written an herbal blog, monthly newsletters, and countless social media posts. My writing in the health and wellness space is evidence-based (my legal background would allow for nothing else) and informed by more than 25 years of experience as an herbalist and a lifelong curiosity with all things natural and holistic.

I’ve never regretted that leap from law to plant medicine. Along the way, I also became a yoga teacher and I have studied and practiced meditation for over a decade. These days I spend my time writing, cooking, hiking in the mountains and desert, and geeking out over medicinal plants.

If you’re looking for a freelance health writer, herbal consultation, or a custom herbal class for your organization or group, let’s connect! I’d love to hear your story and find out how I can help.

To your health,

Suzanne

P.S. Wondering how my first feminist rebellion turned out? By the end of the year, all the girls in my school were wearing pants!