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Amanda Crooke has taken both David’s 2-year program and one-year graduate course. She became one of the instructors for David’s 2-year program beginning in 2020. Her Locust Light Farm is described as being “Herbal education that is hands-on, playful, and fun, starting with the “Which Plant Ally do you Need Right Now” quiz on the home page. This newsletter’s writer took it and was recommended chamomile, which was spot on.
How did you fall in love with herbs?
The first herb I learned how to use was Plantain leaf. My mom taught me how to use it and I’d often pluck it for cuts and bug bites. But I really fell in love with herbs during the first summer I worked on a veggie farm in college. One of the farmers taught me how to harvest and dry Nettle leaf, which I started drinking for cramps. I realized that, on days when I drank Nettle tea, I didn’t sneeze at all. As someone who had awful indoor allergies, this was miraculous. I began reading everything I could find about Nettle, and I’ve been studying herbalism ever since.
There is a spiritual aspect to your approach to herbs; would you please describe that for our readers?
Plants aren’t just substances for us to use: they’re living beings with their own perspectives and priorities. When we approach plants as friends, with respect and care, we expand our own perspective and open up a whole world of possibilities. On a practical level, it’s much easier to remember information about plants when we see them as characters with quirky personalities. It also leads to more sustainable harvesting and consumption. Spiritually, approaching plants as friends lends a sense of belonging, a sense of being held by the earth. This sense of belonging is profoundly lacking in our current society and that creates so many problems. I believe that plants are eager to help us – we just need to remember to ask, and to ask respectfully.
How did you begin studying with David Winston?
As I got deeper into the world of herbalism, I began to search for a teacher. I was interested in David’s program because he was the person that so many respected teachers had studied with. I didn’t take the program right away because I wasn’t ready for the commitment, but in 2018 I knew I was going to remain in the area for the foreseeable future, so I signed up. I was lucky to be able to take the program in person until close to the end when the pandemic began.
You became one of the instructors for David Winston’s Center for Herbal Studies two-year program starting in 2020. How did that come about and what do you enjoy about it?
In the summer of 2021, Eileen reached out and asked me if I’d be interested in teaching the Herbal Pharmacy classes for the two-year program. I was shocked – I felt so honored to be asked! I was overwhelmed with excitement and, again, honored that David and Eileen considered me for the position.
I was eager to say yes, but the classes were scheduled to take place just when I was getting married. Eileen was able to rearrange the schedule so that I had enough time after my wedding to prepare the materials.
David’s Two-Year program provides an excellent education in clinical herbalism. This program, and his teachings more broadly, have done so much to spread the knowledge and use of herbs in this country. I feel proud to be a part of this renowned program. I love teaching students how to prepare herbs; I particularly love teaching remedy-making in a way that feels accessible. My goal is for students to not just understand how herbal medicine is made, but to actually make medicines in their homes and incorporate it in their daily lives.
Please talk about your herbal practice.
My clinical practice is small, and that’s perfect for me. My goal is to be available as a clinical herbalist to students who are already in the Locust Light community; I don’t want to be a full-time clinical herbalist.
In addition to giving people herbal protocols, I also give them personal rituals to support them through life transitions and challenges. Personal rituals with plants can be affirming, reflective, and extremely helpful for processing life events and moving through feelings.
What are some of your favorite H&A products and why?
My favorite H&A product is Grief Relief. This formula is so supportive for sadness, loss, and heartache. I keep a stock of it on hand so that I can give it to people who experience a loss or are going through a time of sadness.
I also love the Calendula & Comfrey Ointment. Even though I make my own first aid salves, there’s just something extra special about that ointment. It heals so quickly.
