Nature is our medicine, and we are here to listen.
Herbalist and Entrepreneur since 2000
Laura Ash - Clinical Herbalist, Educator, and Entrepreneur
I grew up in the Sierras of Northern California, where the mountains met the sky and wild herbs grew in the cracks of sun-warmed granite. My childhood was shaped by dance, curiosity, and an unshakable connection to the living world around me.
From an early age, I learned that nature doesn’t just heal the body, it steadies the mind, opens the heart, and teaches us how to live in rhythm with the seasons.
A Journey Woven with Plants
Since 2000, I have dedicated myself to the study and practice of Western herbal medicine, guided by both science and story. My path has been shaped by extraordinary teachers; Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés, David Hoffmann, Dr. Aviva Romm, and Dr. Vasant Lad - as well as traditional knowledge keepers across the globe.
My formal training includes advanced clinical herbalism, ethnobotany, and holistic wellness education. Over two decades, I have worked at the intersection of botanical medicine, cultural preservation, and community health, blending research-based practice with a deep respect for traditional healing systems.
Living and working in the UK and East Africa deepened my understanding that healing is not just about remedies it is about connection, culture, and sovereignty over one’s own health. In 2011, I founded the Herbal Anthropology Project, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting Indigenous People’s Traditional Knowledge around the globe. Our project was to write Maasai Traditional Medicine book in Tanzania, protected through the Traditional Knowledge Division of the World Intellectual Property Organization.
Creating Spaces for Healing
In 2015, I became the steward and new owner of The Scarlet Sage Herb Co. in San Francisco, an iconic store that had been serving the community for decades. For nine years, I cultivated a space where people could explore botanical medicines, ask questions freely, and find the support they needed.
In 2021, I launched Land of Verse, an online wellness education platform designed to amplify trusted voices in the healing arts - a place where both beginners and seasoned practitioners can deepen their relationship to the plants.
I have hosted retreats in Provence, France for Botanical Perfumery, and in Sonoma County for my herbal medicine students. I will be hosting more retreats and in-person herbal experiences in the years ahead.
My Current Work
Today, alongside my private practice and education company, I serve as the Director of Operations at the Beneficial Plant Research Association (BPRA), an organization founded by Dr. Andrew Weil in 1979 and revived in 2024. BPRA works with Indigenous and Local Communities around the world to preserve plant biodiversity, protect traditional knowledge, and conduct cutting-edge research on whole-plant medicine.
Through BPRA, I collaborate with integrative physicians, ethnobotanists, and conservation leaders to bridge the wisdom of traditional healing with the rigor of scientific research. This work allows me to advocate for plants not only as remedies for individuals but as vital allies in global health and ecological resilience.
The Heart of My Practice
I believe plants are more than ingredients in a formula, they are living allies with wisdom to share, and keystones of culture. When you step into my practice, you enter a space where we take time to listen: to your story, to your body, and to the plants that may be calling to you.
My work is guided by three principles:
Connection - True healing happens when we feel seen, heard, and understood.
Respect - Honoring the traditions and cultures that have carried herbal knowledge for generations.
Integration - Weaving botanical medicine into daily life in a way that feels both natural and sustainable.
Why People Choose to Work With Me
If you’re feeling disconnected from your health, searching for answers outside the pharmaceutical model, or longing for a deeper relationship with your body’s natural rhythms, you are not alone. Many of my clients come to me feeling overwhelmed by stress, navigating hormonal changes, or seeking relief from chronic discomforts. Together, we uncover a path toward balance, resilience, and vitality.
Beyond the Work
I live in Oakland with my wife, our two children, and two very wise doodles who remind me daily about joy and presence. My life is a constant weaving of family, community, and the call to protect and celebrate the plant world.
I hope to meet with you virtually, in class, or at a retreat.