The Doctrine of Signatures as a language of connection

by Annie Meredith 

The Doctrine of Signatures stands as a time-proven method of recognising Life Force patterns underpinning all life forms on earth to indicate the pathway to vibrational coherency for the purposes of healing. 

The Doctrine of Signatures is a language that describes the patterns underlying all life. By understanding these patterns, healing qualities in plants that can be applied to human systems are identified. Elements of the Doctrine of Signatures include: shape, colour, growing pattern, aroma, time of blooming, and growth pattern. 

ABOUT ANNIE MEREDITH 

As teacher, author, acupuncturist, metaphysician and energy worker of 45 years standing, Annie works at the cutting edge of vibrational medicine. 

Founder of HeartRadiance Australian Wildflower Essences (formerly Spirit of Woman Essences), Annie applies her understanding of the vibrational healing qualities of plants to down-to-earth vibrational tools, assisting people in all walks of life to navigate their healing and self-development process. 

In her regular face-to-face Spiritual Embodiment workshops, Annie leads participants to reconnect with their bodies, the Earth Mother and the Elementals, bringing them back into the heart and honouring Divine Feminine energy that underpins all physical life on Earth. 

Learn more about Annie here

Important botanical indicators for herbalists 

by Heidi Merika

• Learn to confidently identify common wild herbs and plants found in South-eastern Australia.
• Understand key botanical features that differentiate similar looking species.
• Understand how bioregional plants can be relied on when herbal supply chains are disrupted.
• To use bioregional herbalism, accurate identification is essential and relies on a thorough understanding of botanical features which are shared in this talk
  
  

ABOUT HEIDI MERIKA

Heidi has over 20 years’ experience as a naturopath and medical herbalist. She has lectured in nutrition and herbal medicine at Endeavour College of Natural

Health (Brisbane) where she was also a clinical supervisor, and in nutrition at University of the Sunshine Coast (QLD) and RMIT University (VIC).

Heidi is a regular speaker at conferences, seminars, and community events and runs courses on wildcrafting and herbal medicine.

Heidi is the author of two books on Wild plants, Wildcraft (2019) and From the Wild (Murdoch Books, 2024).

Learn more about Heidi here

Identifying colour and scent in phytochemistry therapeutics

by Elizabeth Greenwood 

Colour and scent are useful methods to help determine phytochemical activity within your herbs. In this presentation, we will cover the most common herbs that can be identified for quality through their specific colours. 

Scent profiles will be explored and linked to pharmacological actions. Deepen your connection and understanding of herbs through your natural senses. 

ABOUT ELIZABETH GREENWOOD 

Elizabeth is a Master Herbalist, Naturopath, Pharmacognosist, Aromatherapist and researcher. 

She is Past President of the Australian Natural Therapists Association, Director of Naturopathy and Western Herbal Medicine and Australian Ambassador for the International Congress on Naturopathic Medicine. Elizabeth graduated as a Naturopath in 1997 and has been a lecturer in the Bachelor of Health Science Naturopathy, Herbal Medicine, Nutrition and Aromatherapy since 2009. Elizabeth holds a Masters in Herbal Medicine from University of Sydney (2010). 

Elizabeth uses her passion for traditional energetics and plant chemistry to draw parallels between the two. Elizabeth is recognised for delivering grass roots practical information on natural health. 

Learn more about Elizabeth here

Create your own medicinal plant herbarium

by Andrew Pengelly

• What is a herbarium, and why create one?
• Collecting plant specimens, dos and don’ts
• Identifying plant specimens
• Mounting and labelling, storage and documentation
• Digital herbarium specimen creation
  
  

ABOUT ANDREW PENGELLY

Dr. Andrew Pengelly has had a forty-year plus career as a medical herbalist and naturopath, universitylecturer, researcher, field botanist and aromatherapist.

His PhD was awarded for his research into an Australian medicinal plant, Dodonaea viscosa.

He is author of the widely used text “The Constituents of Medicinal Plants” now in its 3rd edition (CABI).

Andrew has been employed as an online teaching faculty for Maryland University of Integrative Health (USA) for several years. As co-founder and vice-president of Indigenous Plants for Health Association Inc., he is involved in researching the chemistry and therapeutic potential of geebung (Persoonia spp.) in collaboration with the University of Queensland. He is a fellow and life member of the Naturopaths and Herbalists Association of Australia, and vice-president of the Stanthorpe Rare Wildflowers Consortium. Since moving to the Granite Belt region of Southern Queensland he has been actively surveying rare and endangered plants, involved in bushcare projects, and giving presentations on native plants and agroecology to groups such as the Stanthorpe Field Naturalists, Granite Borders Landcare, EcoExpo and U3A.

Learn more about Andrew here

https://indigenousplantsforhealth.com/

Taste the Chemistry! Organolepsis, herbal quality and dosage 

by Ian Breakspear 

The taste of both our food and our herbal medicines is governed by their complex chemistry, and with a little training and knowledge, taste can provide an insight into quality. Indeed, the process of organolepsis – using your senses to assess quality – was historically central to judging herbal quality, and is still central in determining quality of foods such as coffee, chocolate and olive oil. 

Ian will introduce you to the power of taste, the importance of using your sense of taste to assess quality, and how that quality can also govern dosage and clinical outcomes from our herbal medicines. In this session you will taste different herbal extracts and olive oils and begin to understand some of the important chemistry behind them. 

ABOUT IAN BREAKSPEAR 

Ian is passionate about quality and safety – of herbal medicines themselves, as well as the education andpractice of herbal medicine. He has worked in the field since 1993, starting with Diploma level clinical qualifications, and advancing to a Masters in Herbal Medicines from the University of Sydney. 

Ian has taught, managed and designed educational programs at colleges and universities, served on editorial boards, and spoken at seminars and conferences internationally. He was a former Vice-President of the NHAA. Ian’s clinical practice focuses on cardiovascular conditions, diabetes and chronic inflammatory diseases. His research activities focus on herbal quality, safety and efficacy, having completed two clinical trials, and published ground-breaking research. 

Learn more about Ian here

The grassroots clinical apothecary: making medicine

by Katrina Reeve

• Discover the benefits of growing and making your own medicinal products in your clinic or home.

• Learn how to create clinically relevant herbal medicines in your own practice, specific to suit your clients’ health needs.
• Grow, harvest and manufacture artisan products for patients, family and yourself
• Discuss the ethical, environmental and financial considerations in black bottle herbalism.
• Find new ways to consider how the future of your clinical practice might look.
• Herbal medicine beyond the black bottle formula

ABOUT KATRINA REEVE

Katrina is a qualified Naturopath, Lecturer and Researcher practising in Brisbane. She holds a Masters of Science (Research), Bachelor of Health Science (Naturopathy), Bachelor of Arts and Post Graduate Diploma in Opera. Katrina has presented

at a number of National scientific conferences and has submitted a number of journal articles for publication. Her interest in Natural medicine was ignited many years ago whilst forging a career as an opera singer, actress and teacher.

As well at lecturing and student mentoring, she runs a busy clinic in inner city Brisbane. Katrina is an avid gardener, spending time growing and manufacturing honest artisan herbal medicines for family and patients.

Learn more about Katrina here