In this episode of Herbalists After Hours, we sit down with KP Khalsa, a teacher who shaped both of us as herbalists, for a conversation that spans more than five decades of practice, teaching, and watching herbalism change.
KP's perspectives are often refreshingly different from what you hear in the greater herbal world, and a lot of that comes down to how he was trained.
At 17, he was learning from naturopathic physicians in their 80s, some of the last to graduate from formal training back in the 1930s. They told him the way to learn was to practice, so he did, right away, out of the back room of a health food store near the University of Oregon.
*We talk about:*
Riding the neighbor's cows home from the Willamette River as a kid
Why studying linguistics made him a better herbal teacher
More than 50 years of daily meditation, and why a chattering monkey mind is no reason to give up
What makes a good herbal student, and why being a great technician is only about 10% of clinical success
The herb myths that seem to have been invented right here in the US
His honest concerns about where professional herbalism is headed
And then there's guduchi, the Ayurvedic herb KP is most in love with after all these years, and the surprising kitchen staple that shares its "cosmic nectar" status.
There's also a guest question from Rich Mandelbaum, a Lightning Bug Round full of surprises, and a heartfelt remembrance of our friend John Gallagher, who helped KP create his very first long-form online course.
It's warm, funny, and full of the kind of hard-earned wisdom you only get from someone who has been doing this work for a very long time.
Karta Purkh Singh Khalsa, Yogaraj (Ayurveda), AD, DN-C, RH, has over 50 years of experience in holistic medicine. He is President Emeritus and Global Ambassador of the American Herbalists Guild, director emeritus of the National Ayurvedic Medicine Association, and has authored or edited over 30 books.
He is the founder of the International Integrative Educational Institute (soon to be the Global Herbalism Academy), and the curriculum creator and principal instructor of the Professional Herbalism program at Portland Community College.
WATCH THIS INTERVIEW ON YOUTUBE
LINKS & RESOURCES
International Integrative Educational Institute | InternationalIntegrative.com
Richard Mandelbaum | RichardMandelbaum.com
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Folk Methodology is a creative herbal studio exploring the wisdom, culture, and lived experience of herbalists. Through conversations, classes, and media, Mason and Rosalee are here to share and uplift the grassroots herbal community.
The small print
This content is for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health regimen.
