11th Annual Southwest Conference on Botanical Medicine

April 19, 2006
By Patricia Gaines, ND

 

The eleventh annual Southwest Conference on Botanical Medicine, which was held April 8th and 9th at the SCNM campus, was a huge success.  This year’s conference boasted record attendance and brought back many popular speakers from years past and a few new presenters.  Overflow due to increased attendance required additional lecture space both in the annex and in a comfortable, large tent erected on the back lawn.  Speakers included Paul Bergner, Mary Bove ND, Ryan Drum PhD, Donna Chesner, Deborah Frances ND, Patricia Gaines ND, Yong Deng ND, Cascade Anderson Geller, Rosemary Gladstar, Phyllis Hogan, Mimi Kamp, Bill Mitchell ND, Michael Moore, Kenneth Proefrock ND, Joann Sanchez, Jill Stansbury ND, and Donald Yance.  The lecture topics were fascinating and included a wide variety of topics such as “Herbal Treatment of Cancer”, “Medicinal Use of Seaweeds”, “Botanical Modulators for Female Endocrine Stress”, “Gastrointestinal Disorders: An Herbalist’s Approach”, and may others.  The topic for Saturday night’s panel discussion was “Treating Mental Illness Naturally” and included a discussion on weaning patients from pharmaceutical medications.  Paul Bergner, Mary Bove, Jill Stansbury and Kenneth Proefrock all shared pearls from their clinical experience and answered many questions from the attendees.    

There were two field study opportunities that afforded a longer, more in-depth desert experience with expert herbalists: one at Usery Mountain Park led by Phyllis Hogan and Cascade Anderson Geller, and the other at Superstition Wilderness Area/ First Water Trailhead led by Mimi Kamp and Francisco Ozuna.  Always popular, these field studies were quickly filled up this year.  Other herb walks included the Desert Botanical Gardens, the Wallace Desert Garden and our own medicinal garden at SCNM.

There were two classrooms reserved for vendors that were full to capacity with interesting booths from herbal companies, nutraceutical companies, and book vendors.  Several of the conference speakers showcased their excellent distant learning materials.    

The food service provided by Chef Brad gave participants healthful, simple, yet delicious meals on Saturday and Sunday.  Deep sincere thanks go out to the following companies who donated student scholarships: Wise Woman Herbals, BioSan Labs, and Herb Pharm. 

Thanks to all the participants, speakers, vendors and volunteers that helped to make this year’s conference such a success.