Via Community News Service, a University of Vermont journalism internship, on assignment for the Barre-Montpelier Times Argus
Whether you know it or not, we are all herbalists.
The garlic and basil in your pasta have natural health benefits that connect us to the world of herbal medicine. Rose is valued for its benefits to the heart and skin, while oats can restore, rejuvenate, and strengthen nerve cells.
In Plainfield, the Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism (VCIH) serves clients through the healing power of plants. More than that, it empowers them to become herbalists in their own way.
VCIH has grown to become more than a local resource. It serves clients and students all over the U.S. and is a link to a global movement.
The Center is based at the campus of Goddard College. It started in 2007 with three people who had worked together at the Sage Mountain Free Herbal Clinic: Larken Bunce, Betzy Bancroft, and Guido Mase.
These founders saw a real need for an herbal healthcare education center in Vermont.
“It arose out of our collective desire to make herbs more accessible,” said Larken Bunce, VCIH’s executive director, “and to empower people to take care of themselves, particularly here where many have a relationship with the natural world but may lack the confidence to grow or harvest or prepare herbs for themselves.”
The owners say herbalism is not a replacement for Western medicine but instead a partner in the holistic approach to healthcare.
“Those of us at VCIH don’t see herbalism as a kind of hierarchy, or this system or this perspective is better or more important than the other perspective,” said co-founder Betzy Bancroft, who is part of the center’s faculty.
Bunce said a lot of people hear “herb” and think about cannabis, and they hear “plant medicine” and think of psychedelics. But that’s not their focus.
VCIH offers free and sliding-scale fees for consultations through clinics and community classes.
Up until recently, most of their clients were from Vermont. But after COVID, they’ve operated virtually as well. Being virtual removes geographical barriers and makes their services accessible to people worldwide. They now have clients as far away as California and South Carolina.
During COVID, they also switched locations. They originally operated in a large classroom in Montpelier. In June 2020, they moved to Goddard College. This new location has given them access to gardens for herb walks.
Lizzy Golden is a recent graduate of the clinical program. Golden said the center’s unique approach and strong community were key factors in her decision to move to Vermont after the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I was drawn to VCIH because of their commitment to social justice and their sliding scale,” Golden said.
“I felt like this kind of mysterious thing,” Golden said. “There’s so many things that plants can do that I was just never taught.”
She just finished the VCIH 3-year clinical training program, which includes a year interning at the clinic. She plans to start a private practice.
Golden began her training through the Roots program at VCIH. The Roots program is an apprenticeship-style program for those new to herbs. It meets Mondays from 9 to 5 from mid-April to November.
Through the program, students can gain an understanding of herbs for self-care and how to grow and harvest common herbs. The deadline to apply is March 15.
Bancroft hopes that VCIH can help spread the knowledge of plant-based headline all over the world.
“I think Vermont is a special place,” Bancroft said. “I hope that our brave little state can be a seed.”