Ted Dawson, Native American Herbalist
My grandmother is Nor Rel Muk Wintu, descendant of the first Californians. She has taught me about herbal healing and native plants since I was a child. I grew up in northern California, between Mt. Lassen and Mt. Shasta.
Passion for the ways of my ancestors was reawakened through the 1980s in Santa Cruz, where I lived and finalized graduate work at University of California Santa Cruz as a Health Educator. After returning home in the 1990s, I acquired my master’s degree as an Ethnobotanist at Chico State University. In 2008, I completed a two-year Master Herbalist Certification Program at the Global College of Natural Medicine.
I continue to advance my herbal expertise through Dr. Christopher’s School of Natural Healing, and by embracing the cultural ecological knowledges of my ancestors, the Wintu people of northern California.
I first began crafting tincture and salve for myself, using native Solomon’s Seal (Maianthemum, formally Smilacina) from my forested back yard. With this simple remedy from the earth, I recovered and avoided spinal neck surgery and steroid injections. Later, I added Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum), widely supported by research indicating health benefits. Today, my tinctures and salves combine both the original wildcraft harvested herbs and certified organic herbs. I sustainably dig roots, harvest leaves and flowers from the mountain with gratitude and prayer.