Saturday, July 26

Sunday, July 27

Paul Bergner

"Herban Legends and Clinical Pearls in the Female Reproductive Materia Medica"

1.5 General (Total 1.5 CE)

An Herban Legend is a persistent, widely and firmly held belief about a plant and its medicinal effects which is not true. A clinical Pearl on the other hand is a useful and reliable property or indication for the herb, unrelated to the Legend. The origin of an Herban Legend or its rationale is obscure or forgotten, and is usually based on misinterpretation of science or tradition. It is repeated, believed, and repeated again from textbook to textbook, across a generation until it becomes “common knowledge”. A large number of such Legends are present in North American Herbalism for the category of female reproductive system herbs, usually relating to supposed hormonal effects. Each of the herbs we discuss will also have one or more reliable Clinical Pearls. We will discuss Actaea species, Angelica sinensis, Withania, Dioscorea, Humulus, Paeonia, Trifolium, Vitex, and the Viburnums.

Bio: Paul Bergner is Director of the North American Institute of Medical Herbalism. He has practiced nature cure, medical herbalism, and clinical nutrition since 1973. He completed 50 semester hours of doctoral level medical studies at the National University of Natural Medicine in 1986-1987. He has published the Medical Herbalism Journal since 1989, and has trained students continuously in teaching clinics for medical herbalism and clinical nutrition since 1996 where he has mentored more than 400 students through an 8-month residency. He has taught nutrition at both the undergraduate and graduate levels of academic study. He has authored seven books on topics of medical herbalism, Chinese medicine, ethnobotany and folk medicine, nutrition, and naturopathic medicine.

Orna Izakson, ND

"Cracking the Insomnia Code"

1.0 General, 0.25 Pain, 0.25 Pharmacology (Total 1.5 CE)

Disturbed sleep impacts an estimated one in three people — with one in 10 having chronic sleep pathology. Inadequate sleep leads to distress and increases risk of serious disease and even death. Standard herbal, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical treatments often focus on sedation without addressing underlying causes, worsening symptoms and diminishing treatment efficacy over time. This talk will look under the hood at common and less-common causes of sleep impairment; review standard herbal, pharmaceutical and lifestyle interventions; and discuss common and less-common herbal approaches that can help our patients heal.

Bio: Dr. Orna Izakson is a licensed naturopathic doctor and registered herbalist practicing in Alaska and Oregon, specializing in mental health, women’s health and chronic disease. She has served as lead physician of the Traditional Roots Institute at National University of Natural Medicine, on the Gaia Herbs science advisory board, and recently joined the faculty of Psychiatry Redefined. Dr. Izakson also has been an award-winning environmental newspaper reporter, contributing to books on climate change and healthy living. She continues her mission of educating the public about full-spectrum plant medicine, mental health and clinical nutrition as a public speaker and online educator. Dr. Izakson is currently vice president of the Alaska Association of Naturopathic Doctors and founder of the Naturopathic Climate Alliance.

Suzanne Tabert

"Adrenal Fatigue to Adrenal Health"

1.5 General (Total 1.5 CE)

"Adrenal Fatigue to Adrenal Health" explores the intricate role of the adrenal glands in maintaining overall health and how imbalances can lead to adrenal fatigue. In this presentation, we will cover the anatomy and physiology of the adrenal glands, delve into the causes and symptoms of adrenal fatigue, and discuss lifestyle choices that can support adrenal recovery. Attendees will also gain insight into the role of herbal adjuncts in restoring adrenal health and practical ways to incorporate these natural remedies into daily routines. This session aims to empower individuals with knowledge and tools to enhance their well-being by nurturing their adrenal glands.

Bio: With over 38 years of experience, Suzanne M. Tabert is a highly respected bioregional herbalist, educator, speaker, and author, dedicated to teaching sustainable herbal medicine practices. As the Director of Herbal Education at the Cedar Mountain Herb School, Suzanne has trained thousands of students in wildcrafting, phytochemistry, botanical medicine making, and holistic wellness.

In addition to running in-person and online courses, Suzanne served for 12 years as an adjunct professor at Bastyr University, teaching botanical medicine, wildcrafting ethics, and herbal preparation methods. She is also an experienced public speaker, having presented at major conferences such as the International Herb Symposium, Pacific Northwest Herb Symposium, and the National Ladies Homestead Gathering.

As a dedicated writer, Suzanne has authored numerous articles for Mountain Rose Herbs, United Plant Savers, Willow and Sage Magazine, and AromaCulture Magazine, among others. She is also the author of the books Quest for Calm ~ Using Herbs and Lifestyle Changes to Create Resilient Health, and Wild & Beautiful ~ An Herbal Encyclopedia for Naturally Healthy Skin.

Jillian Stansbury, ND

"Treating Anhedonia and Deficient Adrenergic Tone"

1.5 General, 0.5 Pharmacology (Total 1.5 CE)

While most patients with anxiety, stress, and situational mental health issues respond readily to herbal and lifestyle support, those individuals with life-long “melancholy” states can be a real challenge to shift. Research suggests that such individuals may have low adrenergic tone that may be compounded by oxidative stress and general inflammatory states that extend to the central nervous system. This session will look at supporting metabolic efficiency and reducing oxidative stress in the brain, and offer possible pharmaceutical options, and of course a deeper dive into specific botanical medicines to help shift an adrenergic insufficiency and a melancholic constitution.

Bio: Dr Jillian Stansbury founded Battle Ground Healing Arts in 1989 and recently retired after 35 years in practice. During that time, she also managed the Healing Arts Apothecary, open to the public and serving as a community resource hub, and served on the Faculty of NUNM teaching the core Botanical Medicines curricula. She received the Order of the University in 2019 and was the recipient of the Vis Award from the AANP in 2023. She is the author of 7 botanical books including her award-winning 5 volume textbook services Herbal Formularies for Health Professionals, a 2020 recipient of the James Duke Botanical Excellence award from the American Botanical Council. She has studied ethnobotany around the world and leads an annual field course in Peru each January to introduce fellow plant nerds to the rich plant cultures of the Andes and Amazon. Since her retirement at the end of 2024 she has had more time for gardening, music, and art.

Eric Yarnell, ND, RH(AHG)

"Overlooked and Underappreciated Herbal Materia Medica"

0.75 General, 0.75 Pharmacology (Total 1.5 CE)

The botanical materia medica is enormous, though sadly only a relatively small subset of available medicinal herbs receives regular use. Dr. Yarnell will discuss lesser known or totally ignored indigenous North American herbs (with two exceptions) he has used with great success clinically, including their history, proper indications, dosing, and safety. Herbs discussed will include Prunella vulgaris (heal all), Ammi visnaga (khella), Artemisia tridentata (big sagebrush), Arbutus menziesii (madrone), Balsamorrhiza sagittata (balsamroot), Osmorhiza occidentalis (western sweet Cicely), Eryngium yuccafolium (rattlesnake master), Pueraria montana (kudzu), and Pedicularis bracteosa (bracted lousewort).

Bio: Eric Yarnell, ND, RH(AHG) (Bastyr University, 1996) is chief medical officer at Northwest Naturopathic Urology. He has been in practice for 29 years, primarily in the fields of men’s health, urology, and nephrology, with an emphasis on botanical medicine. Dr. Yarnell is chief creative officer of Wild Brilliance Press, vice president of Heron Botanicals, and CEO of Red Root Pharmaceuticals. He previously served as chair of the department of botanical medicine at SCNM (now called SUHS), was full professor at Bastyr, and helped edit the Journal of Naturopathic Medicine. He is adjunct faculty at Bastyr (both campuses), SUHS, and CCNM. His published works include Clinical Botanical Medicine 2nd ed, Natural Approach to Urology 2nd ed, Natural Approach to Prostate Conditions 2nd ed, and Natural Approach to Gastroenterology 2nd ed. He has received the AANP's Vis Award (2014), GastroANP's Borborygmus Award (2020), and NMSA’s Faculty of the Year Award (2018 and 2020).

Lise Alschuler, ND

"Key Herbs in Oncology"

0.75 General, 0.75 Pharmacology (Total 1.5 CE)

This presentation will highlight selected botanicals that have an indispensable place in Integrative Oncology. Each botanical will be reviewed in terms of their key oncology indications, seminal research studies, best delivery formats, and notable drug interactions and cautions. Additionally,for each herb, a case vignette that illustrates their unique and impactful application in integrative cancer care will be shared. The herbs to be discussed are: Curcuma longa, Cordyceps spp., Lavendula officinalis, Withania somnifera, Scutellaria baicalensis, Althea officinalis, Ulmus fulva and Silybum marianum.

Bio: Dr. Alschuler, ND, FABNO, eMBA is a Professor of Clinical Medicine at the University of Arizona where she is the Associate Director of the Fellowship in Integrative Medicine at the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine. She received her undergraduate degree from Brown University and completed her naturopathic medical training at Bastyr University where she also completed her residency in general naturopathic medicine. She completed an executive Masters of Business from Quantic University in 2023. Dr. Alschuler is board certified in naturopathic oncology and maintains a part-time clinical practice out of Naturopathic Specialists, LLC. She is past-President of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians and a founding board member, Past-President and current Board member of the Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians.  She is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions including 2014 American Association of Naturopathic Physicians’ Physician of the Year. She has been an invited speaker to more than 300 scientific/medical conferences, has authored dozens articles and book chapters, has been an investigator on several research studies and co-hosts a podcast, Five To Thrive Live!. She is co-author of Definitive Guide to Cancer, now in its 3rd edition, and Definitive Guide to Thriving After Cancer.

Tori Hudson, ND

"Top 10 Herbs in Women's Health"

1.5 General (Total 1.5 CE)

Women’s health includes a wide array of gynecological and primary care issues, with some being more important or only relevant in one decade of life versus another. This lecture will focus on my top 10 herbs for women’s issues, including the scientific research, as well as the historical and traditional uses in different decades and different health issues in a woman’s life.

Bio: Dr. Tori Hudson, Naturopathic Physician, graduated from the National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM) in 1984 and has served the college in several capacities, including: Medical Director, Associate Academic Dean, and Academic Dean. She is currently a clinical adjunct professor at NUNM), Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, Bastyr University and the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. Dr Hudson has been in practice for over 40 years, is the medical director of her clinic, “A Woman’s Time” in Portland, Oregon, co-owner and director of product research and education for VITANICA and the program director for the Institute of Women’s Health and Integrative Medicine. She is also the founder and co-director of NERC (Naturopathic Education and Research Consortium), a non-profit organization for accredited naturopathic residencies. Dr. Hudson has been appointed as a faculty member of the Fellowship in Integrative Health and Medicine, Academy of Integrative Health & Medicine.

Dr. Hudson was awarded the 1990 President’s award from the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians for her research in women’s health, the 1999 prestigious Naturopathic Physician of the Year award, the 2003 NUNM Alumni Pioneer Award., the 2009 Natural Products Association Pioneer Award and in 2012 was inducted into the NUNM Hall of Fame. In 2016, she was the recipient of the annual Oregon Association of Naturopathic Physician’s “Living Legends” award.

In 2021 she received the 2020 American Botanical Council’s prestigious Fredi Kronenberg Excellence in Research and Education in Botanicals in Women’s Health Award for 2020.

She is a nationally recognized author (book: Women’s Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine second edition, McGraw Hill 2008) and the Menopause Companion (2023), speaker, educator, researcher, and clinician. Dr. Hudson serves on several editorial boards, advisory panels and as a consultant to the natural products industry. She also writes monthly columns and free-lance articles for several publications.

Gary Ferguson, ND

"Honoring Our Plant Medicine Origins: Ceremony and Mind/Body/Spiritual Considerations"

1.5 General (Total 1.5 CE)

Bio: Dr. Gary Ferguson is the Interim Health System Administrator at Tulalip Health System. Originally from the Shumagin Islands community of Sand Point, Alaska, he is Unangax̂ (Aleut) and an enrolled member of the Qagan Tayagunin Tribe. Dr. Ferguson has an ND from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine and a BS in Spiritual Studies from Multnomah University. In addition, he trained in Addiction Medicine as a Tobacco Treatment Specialist at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, completed an Indian Health Service Healthy Native Communities Fellowship in Community Health with the Indian Health Service, and earned a Foraker Certificate in Nonprofit Management and a Graduate Certificate in Business from the Alaska Native Executive Leadership Program. Formally trained as a Naturopathic Physician, Dr. Ferguson has a passion for healthy communities and a population health approach. He is the co-producer of the Store Outside Your Door – Alaska Native cultural food traditions around how to hunt, fish, gather, and grow. He also currently has several volunteer and professional organization positions, including with the Alaska Traditional Foods Community Advisory Board, Alaska Growth Capital CDFI Advisory Board, the Arctic Council Working Group/Sustainable Development Working Group/Arctic Human Health Expert Group, Alaska Association of Naturopathic Physicians (Member/Past President), American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (Member), American Indian Cancer Foundation (Board Director, Chair), State of Alaska Pain & Opioid Management ECHO (Team Member), The Aleut Corporation (Board Director, Treasurer/Past President), University of Alaska Master of Public Health Advisory Committee, and Washington State University Center for Native American Health Sciences Indigenous Healer Cohort. His prior positions include providing clinical services to his home region at Eastern Aleutian Tribes, serving at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium as Senior Director of Community Health Services, and as Chief Executive Officer at RurAL CAP. Dr. Ferguson’s personal interests include nutrition, traditional foods, botanical/traditional medicines, Indigenous health, hiking, photography, music, travel, outdoor recreation, boating, fishing, hunting, gardening, and reading.