Downeast Herbalists

Downeast Herbalists In Herbalism Community: A Gathering of Herbalists, Wildcrafters & Herb Farmers in Downeast Maine. All Interest Levels Welcome! WHAT IS AN HERBALIST?

Founded in 2025 and based Downeast along the Bold Coast of Washington County, Maine, the Downeast Herbalists meet In Herbalism Community. Herbalists, Wildcrafters and Herb Farmers gather throughout the region to celebrate the plants, promote the sharing of ideas and well-being, and to build relationships. If you work with the plants, you are an Herbalist. Some also consider themselves Community He

rbalists or Folk Herbalists, Family & Home Herbalists, Clinical Herbalists, Beauty & Skincare Herbalists, Herbalism Teachers, and more! We consider ourselves students, always, and that the plants themselves are also teachers. HISTORY:

The inaugural "Gathering for Herbalists in Washington County" was organized and facilitated by Herbalist, Wildcrafter, Writer-Author, Artist-Designer and volunteer, Lori McClellan, of www.Botaniscape.com. This meeting took place on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 2:30 PM at Porter Memorial Library in Machias, Maine. Thirteen met In Herbalism Community, comprised of Herbalists, Wildcrafters and Herb Farmers of all interest levels living and working in Washington County, Maine. This was the inception of the Downeast Herbalists. LOGO/BRAND:

We love our logo, showcasing dandelion and sage! The Downeast Herbalists logo was custom designed by Machias-based www.McClellanCreative.com. Mindful intention was put into the original design to capture the essence of nature's gifts and herbal goodness. Further explanation of the symbolism of the logo concept and elements includes:

"Dandelion Symbolism (stylized center yellow flower): Healing, resilience, adaptability, strength, hope, happiness; (whole plant medicine); (Taraxacum officinale). Sage Symbolism (center green leaves behind yellow stylized dandelion): wisdom, longevity, protection; (Salvia officinalis). "Creating a 'flower' from the dandelion flower as center and sage leaves as petals was an intentional aim for offering something unique and beneficial from combining the different parts of plants in the same way that creating herbal goodness does. "Four Arrows Symbolism:
Four Seasons (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter)
Four Directions (N, S, E, W)
Four Elements (Earth, Air, Fire/Sun, Water)
Four Tissue States/Constitution:
(Hot, Dry, Cold, Moist)
Diamond: Is the Herbalist in relationship; knowing the plants brings clarity

"Dark blue circle/background: Rain, water, area rivers, lakes
Light blue circle-band: Sky/air
Dandelion: Also symbol of sun/fire
Sage: Also symbol “of the earth”
Black Circle-band: Night sky
White Text: Moonlight"

PLEASE NOTE: Content on this website is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to substitute for medical treatment, advice or diagnosis, and is not monitored by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Consult your healthcare provider if you are experiencing any symptoms and before using any herbal product or beginning a new health regimen. Any application of the material provided is at the reader's discretion and is their sole responsibility. While non-medical conversations are encouraged, diagnoses, medical inquiries and medical advice are not offered or permitted. PLEASE NOTE: When wildcrafting or foraging for plants, do so ethically; be accompanied by a plant identification expert; and always have absolute certainty of plant identification before using or consuming any herb/s.

05/29/2026

🌱😎🪴🌻Join me and my herbal friends Saturday June 6 in Concord NH for the NH Herbal Network’s Herb & Garden Day!

✨This year is at a NEW location at Society for the Conservation of NH Forests with indoor classrooms and beautiful outdoor spaces, too! I’ll be there selling my books and teaching a gut health class, and so many of my fabulous colleagues will also be teaching great workshops, leading plant walks, and selling plants and amazing herbal artisan goods. I LOVE this sweet local and super affordable event!

🎟️PREORDER TICKETS NOW for $35 (plus ticket fees) to attend the whole day including workshops! The price goes up to $55 at the door, so it’s definitely worth getting tickets in advance. There’s also a link on the webpage to preorder plants from Jim Warner River farm to help ensure you get the plants you want (you can also just go and buy the that day, while supplies last).

🛍️JUST WANT TO SWING BY AND SHOP? That’s cool, too - it’s just $5 at the door donation for the market, which supports herbal education and networking in NH.

🍲Delicious lunch fare available for purchase from Scarlet Fire BBQ and Tummy Full Indian food trucks.


The NH Herbal Network is a chapter of the nonprofit American Herbalists Guild

👉See the speaker lineup, vendors, and more at nhherbalnetwork.org/herbday
(Subject to minor changes)

05/26/2026

We’ve had an opening in our retreat which means we have one spot left!

A Weekend of Forest Wisdom 🌿🌲
Join us July 16th-19th, 2026 for a unique Maine experience on the beautiful shores of West Grand Lake in Grand Lake Stream, Maine.

You will experience:
🌱Meditative movements as well as breath work techniques.
🌱Flora identification and uses.
🌱Fungi and the forest that we share with them.
🌱Forest immersion to help clear the mind and soul.
🌱Blue water therapy in the cool clear water of our spring fed lakeside weekend home.

Leen's Lodge is nestled on the shore of one of Maine’s most breathtaking lakes. West Grand Lake is one of just four native habitats for pure-strain landlocked salmon in the state and is surrounded largely by undeveloped forested wilderness. Kris and Scott strive to bring all the comforts of home to the deep Maine woods.

All inclusive retreat experience:
🌲All meals provided. Dietary restrictions or needs can be accommodated.
🌲Cozy shared housing lakeside on our own private peninsula.
🌲Flora and fungi classes.
🌲Blue water and forest therapy sessions.
🌲Tai Chi and breath work.

4 days - 3 nights ✨$1,500✨
Please reach out with any questions about our retreat! We’d be happy to chat with you!
📬Email: scott@leenslodge.com
Wild Child Botanicals, LLC.
Forest Hearth Retreats
Maine Rewilding

Maria Nöel Groves is a renowned NH-based Clinical Herbalist and Teacher, touring Maine apothecaries this weekend.
05/15/2026

Maria Nöel Groves is a renowned NH-based Clinical Herbalist and Teacher, touring Maine apothecaries this weekend.

05/15/2026

New on the blog today: Three Warrior Herbs.

Yarrow, elder, and turkey tail. Matthew Wood teaches these three together because they share the same signature: each one guards a different layer of the body, in a tradition that reads plants by form, story, and pattern as much as by chemistry.

This is the kind of herbalism we teach. Worth reading slowly.

Link in comments below.

04/30/2026
04/22/2026
Downeast Herbalists is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to substitute for medical advice, treatment o...
04/14/2026

Downeast Herbalists is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to substitute for medical advice, treatment or diagnosis, and is not monitored or evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration/FDA.

***Consult your health care provider if you are experiencing any symptoms and before using any herbal product or beginning a new health regimen.***

Medical advice is neither offered in content nor allowed in the comments.

When wildcrafting or foraging for plants, do so ethically; be accompanied by an expert; and always have absolute certainty of plant identification from multiple sources before using or consuming any herbs.

No warranties are expressed or implied. Any application of the material provided is at the reader’s discretion and is their sole responsibility.

Contact Esther at Forest Hearth Retreats or Wild Child Botanicals, LLC. directly for retreat pricing and for more inform...
04/10/2026

Contact Esther at Forest Hearth Retreats or Wild Child Botanicals, LLC. directly for retreat pricing and for more information.

03/11/2026

🌿 We are all students of Herbalism, season after season, as the plants themselves are the greatest teachers. Herbalists add to that learning and endeavor book study, formal study, and/or clinical, and some learn alongside other people of generous heart and spirit who choose to share knowledge, imparting wisdom, to pass along useful tools without politics or pretense, in unity. It is all a gift. It is all Herbal Goodness. EnJOY ethically with care, gratitude and sure knowledge. 🌿

Address

Machias, ME

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Downeast Herbalists posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Share