Join Judith Thompson and fellow herbal leaders Chris Alstat, Roy Upton, and Denise Cusack for an inspiring conversation exploring the herbs that have shaped their lives and work. Discover the stories, traditions, and practical insights behind meaningful medicinal plants, and gain inspiration for your own herbal practice—whether you’re new to herbalism or a seasoned practitioner.
- Discover meaningful medicinal herbs through the perspectives of experienced herbal leaders.
- Gain insight into how herbs are approached across different sectors of herbalism: research, herbal product formulation, and community health outreach.
- Understand why certain herbs become foundational to an herbalist’s practice and professional journey.
- Explore practical ideas to incorporate these herbs into personal wellness or herbal study.
Meet Our Panelists
Dr. Judith Thompson, ND
For nearly three decades, Judith Thompson, N.D., has guided people of all ages—including newborns and seniors—using the healing power of herbs. She has repeatedly witnessed their transformative healing abilities in acute and chronic conditions. She has been educating students for close to 20 years and is the current Dean of Herbal Medicine at the American College of Healthcare Sciences.
Chris Alstat
Chris Alstat is a New Zealand–trained naturopath and herbalist of Japanese heritage, and the owner of Eclectic Herb, a legacy herbal company founded in 1982. A passionate plant advocate and curator of a remarkable library of rare herbal texts, she draws from global herbal traditions and decades of study to share the enduring wisdom of plants.
Roy Upton
Roy Upton has been working professionally as an herbalist for more than 40 years. He is trained in Ayurvedic Chinese, and Western herbal medicine traditions and is the president of the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia (AHP) and founder of the Global Alliance for Integrative Health & Medicine (GAIHM).
Denise Cusack
Denise Cusack is an Aromatic Herbalist with 12+ years of experience, certified in herbalism, aromatherapy, permaculture, and more. She specializes in hydrosols, flower essences, mental health, trauma response, and regenerative agriculture. Denise is Executive Director of Herbalists Without Borders, an international nonprofit promoting herbal health justice and humanitarian aid.