What I’ve Learned from 50-Years as an Herbal Elder & Ayurvedic Practitioner

By Shantree Kacera, D.N., Ph.D., R.H.

“Herbalism is not about what a plant can do for you—it’s about what you can learn from a plant.”

Lessons in Human Resilience, Earth Wisdom & the Art of Remembering What We Are

Fifty years ago, I followed a quiet nudge—an instinct that led me to the wild places, to the plants, and to the old stories. I couldn’t have imagined then how this path would weave itself through every part of my life.

Since then, I’ve sat with over 47,000 individuals—each one unique, each one a mirror, a question, a teacher. And through it all, the plants, the elements, the rhythms of the Earth have remained my steady companions. What I’ve come to understand is this: true nourishment doesn’t come from what we consume—it comes from what we remember, from how we live, and from the relationships we tend.

Here are some of the most enduring teachings that have crystallized for me across these decades.

The Body is Not a Machine—It’s a Garden
Gardens don’t get “fixed.” They’re tended, nourished, and observed. We amend the soil. We prune, water, and let the sun do its part. When something’s off, we look to the ecosystem as a whole.

This is how I approach the human body and mind—not as a set of problems to solve but as living systems to care for with patience, curiosity, and reverence.

Nature Doesn’t Rush—and Neither Should We
The longer I’ve walked this path, the slower I’ve become. Not from weariness, but from a deep respect for timing. Nature teaches us: there is a season for everything. When we align with that rhythm, life becomes less of a race and more of a dance.

Real change comes from within—and it comes when the time is right.

The Plants Remember What We’ve Forgotten
I’ve spent a lifetime growing, harvesting, and sitting with plants—not as products but as kin. Each one with its own presence, personality, and intelligence. Some bold, some subtle. All profound.

Modern science likes to isolate compounds. But traditional plant wisdom is relational. It’s about presence, about listening, about respect. When we meet the plants as allies, they offer more than remedies—they offer orientation, clarity, and guidance.

Every Discomfort Has Roots
The body speaks. Sometimes in whispers, sometimes in roars. Whether through physical signals, emotional weight, or spiritual restlessness—there is always a deeper story.

Instead of asking, what’s wrong?, I ask: what is this moment asking of you? What needs attention, nourishment, release, or integration?

There is No One-Size-Fits-All
Ayurveda teaches us that each person is a unique constellation of elements. What brings balance to one might create disruption in another.

That’s why I continue to work one-on-one with individuals—because true support must be personalized, rooted in both timeless principles and present realities.

Stillness is a Form of Nourishment
We live in a world that praises speed, productivity, and constant motion. But some of the most transformative moments I’ve witnessed—both in myself and with others—have emerged from stillness.

Stillness allows us to hear what’s been ignored, to reconnect with the body, the breath, the inner compass. Whether through ritual, reflection, or time in Nature, stillness restores a sense of inner coherence.

People Carry Deep Inner Wisdom
Over tens of thousands of conversations, I’ve seen it again and again: people know. They may not always trust that knowing, or know how to access it—but it’s there.

My role has never been to fix anyone. It’s to listen, reflect, and offer tools and insights that help people reconnect with their own clarity and direction.

The Earth is Still Our Greatest Ally
Even in the age of algorithms and artificial intelligence, the Earth remains the source. She offers what we need—physically, emotionally, spiritually—not in flashy ways, but through rhythm, resonance, and reciprocity.

The moment we remember our place within the natural world, a profound shift occurs. A deep breath. A return. A reconnection with something essential.

A Closing Reflection
Fifty years into this journey, I feel more like a student than ever. The plants continue to reveal new teachings. The human spirit continues to inspire. The land continues to offer.

This path has shown me that everything is connected—each breath, each symptom, each seed, each story. When we live from that awareness, life not only becomes more vibrant but deeply meaningful.

To all those who’ve shared their lives and stories with me, thank you. And to the Earth, our first and most enduring teacher—I bow in gratitude.

Earth as Our First Medicine

“Long before diagnoses and prescriptions, there was the Earth—offering herself in leaf and root, in river and sun, in silence and storm. She is still offering, still inviting us into relationship. When we walk gently, listen deeply, and live in rhythm with her ways, we remember that she is not just our environment—she is kin, guide, and the ground of our being.”