Lily Mazzarella (MS, Herbal Medicine, Board Certified Nutrition Specialist) is the owner and lead practitioner at Farmacopia. Born in Rome, Italy and raised in the suburbs of New Jersey, Lily attended college at Wesleyan University (BA, English, 1995). After, she moved to New York City to study and write poetry.

In the midst of the average urban excitements and stressors, late-night restaurant work, and lifelong undiagnosed food allergies, she was soon confronted with a variety of health issues, including adrenal burnout, eczema, and digestive crisis. Exhausted and in pain, she found little understanding or support in common Western medical outlets for these complicated patterns.

Ultimately, the crisis changed her life: she experienced relief working with acupuncturists and herbalists, and she developed a deeper understanding of her body as an ecosystem. She took a position working with herbs and nutrients at Integral Yoga Natural Vitamin, and enrolled in the Northeast School of Botanical Medicine in Ithaca.

After graduating from NSBM in 2001, Lily continued her studies at Maryland University of Integrative Health, a pioneering institution offering the only Masters of Science in Herbal Medicine degree in the country. Throughout the intensive, 3-year, full-time program, Lily was immersed in physiology, pharmacology, herb-drug interactions, herbal materia medica, and nutrition. Her personal experiences along with rigorous training taught Lily how to bridge conventional and holistic approaches to wellness.

Lily has shared her passion for herbal medicine as a teacher, clinician and consultant. She has served as a consultant for various organizations, including Sonoma County Indian Health Services, The Ceres Project, and Premier Nutrition Labs. She regularly pursues further training and certification in fields such as Functional Nutrition and Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction. Since 2006, she has been a core faculty member at California School of Herbal Studies.

In 2007, Lily realized her dream by revitalizing Farmacopia, which crosses an old-time herbal “farmacy” with the best of modern standards and practices. Lily loves to collaborate with clients and staff in a process that need not be dull and grueling— she believes that taking care of one’s health can be an empowering, life-affirming process.

Joshua's interest in natural medicine began early; his father, a math professor, pursued posts around the world and the family landed (twice!) in Paris. It was here that a young Joshua had a profound firsthand experience with natural healing when his French doctor recommended discontinuing dairy as treatment for his painful, recurrent ear infections. In his late teens, a near-fatal bike accident requiring rehabilitation cemented his passion for understanding—and working with—the human body.

Joshua has been practicing manual medicine and bodywork since 1995, and acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine since 2001. From 2005 to 2009, he was on faculty at The Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences in Oakland and The Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine College in Berkeley teaching anatomy, orthopedic acupuncture, advanced channel theory, and pain management.

Currently, he is on staff at The Osteopathic College of Ontario. Through the Barral Institute, he regularly pursues high level trainings in cranial and visceral manipulation and has a profound understanding of the interplay between the nervous system, internal organs and the musculoskeletal system.

In Joshua's years of practice in the Bay Area, he has gained a diverse and loyal following, comprised of professional musicians, dancers, yogis, restauranteurs, and athletes, as well as children, the elderly, and those with severe chronic illness. He has been practicing at Farmacopia since 2011. "I love the dynamic, collaborative environment there—as well as access to an herbal and nutritional formulary of this caliber," he says. "I can't think of a better combination for my patients."

A native of Oak Park, Illinois, Bridget holds a BA in Healing Arts and Sciences from Evergreen State College. During her college years she developed a deep connection with the natural world and a passion for herbal medicine while living off-grid in a cabin in the woods. After college, she pursued studies in Western herbal medicine, Ayurvedic therapeutics, and Taoist organ massage and, further developed her passions for food and nutrition by serving as chef and kitchen manager for the Occidental Arts and Ecology Center.

To deepen her knowledge of human biology, physiology and biochemistry, and to integrate this information with what she understood about energy and constitution, Bridget attended naturopathic medical school at Bastyr University in Washington, studying biomedical sciences with a holistic orientation.

After earning her doctorate, Bridget was selected for a prestigious clinical residency at Bastyr Center for Natural Health to focus on family practice medicine, with added training in environmental medicine, biofeedback, diabetes, gynecology, urology, and pediatrics. She got hands-on experience working at several high-volume clinics serving low-income and senior populations. Bridget has now been involved in the study and practice of healing arts for more than 15 years; her experience in both western medicine and "alternative" medicine has inspired her to serve as a bridge between the two perspectives.

A true citizen of the globe, Sandra was born in Melbourne, Australia, and grew up in South Africa, where she graduated from nursing school and became an ICU nurse. In her twenties, while traveling through India, Sandra’s eyes were first opened to natural medicine. Her travel companion was taken severely ill, and made a full recovery thanks to the local villagers' Ayurvedic and homeopathic remedies. Later, Sandra fell ill, which led to her own healing experience: she watched Tibetan lamas chanting and rolling medicine into little balls—medicine that ultimately facilitated her cure.

Upon her return, and still working as an ICU nurse, she explored natural therapies more extensively, culminating in four years of naturopathic medicine training in Cairns, Australia. It was then that she realized healthcare needed the integration of the best of conventional medicine with traditional/complementary medicine. More than 20 years later, Sandra is still pursuing this path. She recently graduated with a Master of Heath Sciences degree, with a focus on Integrative Healthcare.

Sandra has been a part of the Farmacopia practitioner team since 2002, to which she also brings her unique gift as an internationally-recognized specialist in Bowenwork, a soft-tissue bodywork that releases patterns of tension. A senior instructor for the Bowenwork Academy USA, she is a regular presenter at international Bowenwork conferences and has taught Bowenwork classes throughout Australia and Europe. In the US, Sandra has presented Bowenwork to the Integrative Medicine faculty at the Mayo Clinic, and regularly teaches Bowenwork classes at Bastyr University in Washington.

Trina started her healing journey nearly twenty years ago, moving to Sonoma County to study herbal medicine after graduating from college. She attended California School of Herbal Studies in 1997, attending their Foundations and Therapeutics program, culminating in a Clinical Herbalism program. Her herbal medicine background is at the heart of her practice and she regularly uses herbal formulas when working with clients. This is where she first made the connection between plants, food and the innate healing response of the body, learning that there was always another way.

After finishing her studies at CSHS, she began working in the natural products industry. During that time she worked in a lab formulating natural bath and body care products for a variety of companies in California for several years. She expertly formulated herbal extracts, blended essential oils, and created a variety of lotions, potions, scrubs and balms. Aside from being an intriguingly enjoyable experience, it offered an incomparable professional insight into the herbal world and natural products market. She later felt a hunger for a more in-depth experience and decided to shift towards working directly with clients as a health practitioner.

She returned to school in 2007 to study nutrition and became a certified Nutrition Educator and Nutrition Consultant through Bauman College. In addition to being a certified Clinical Herbalist & Nutritionist, she has received certification as a massage therapist from Calistoga Massage School, studied advanced aromatherapy and distillation with Jeanie Rose and has trained as a birthing doula with the Birth and Bonding Center.

She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Women’s Studies from UCLA , a Master’s of Science in Nutrition and Integrative Health from Maryland University of Integrative Health and is a Board Certified Nutrition Specialist. Her broad educational base has provided a range of expertise in the field of integrative health and affords her myriad modalities from which to draw upon in her individualized work clients.

Zoë Lynne Kessler is a Certified Massage Therapist with 900 educational hours from National Holistic Institute College of Massage Therapy and has 8 years experience of practicing Ayurveda. Zoë has extensive training in a variety of modalities, and specializes in Prenatal Massage, Deep Tissue, Myofascial Therapy, and classical Ayurvedic Therapies. Her signature massage is a relaxing blend of both eastern and western techniques designed to help you release tension and restore nourishment.

She customizes each session to fit your needs for a balanced body, mind and spirit. Some of Zoë's other offerings include whole body lymphatic gua sha treatments, Ayurvedic wellness coaching and sound therapy with guided meditation and energy work. Zoë is deeply passionate about community care, health justice and facilitating the healing arts with a trauma informed approach. 

Jessica studied holistic clinical herbalism at the California School of Herbal Studies in Forestville, CA, and previously as an apprentice in Donna D’terra's Yerba Women Herbal Apprenticeship in Willits, CA. After her study at CSHS, she took a Clinical Herbalist Certification program with her instructor and clinical herbalist from CSHS, Bryan Bowen, M.S. In the program, she and the class created a free mobile clinic, Bay Herbalism, which provided free access to natural health care for under-served populations. She has volunteered as a practitioner with the Botanical Bus – bilingual mobile herbal clinic – which provides free health care access to Latinx folx and farmworkers. Also, along with working at Farmacopia, she works as a clinical herbalist for West County Health Centers, collaborating with doctors to provide care to the clinic’s patients.

As a practitioner, Jessica trusts in the innate process of healing inherent in each person, cultivating this gift with her clients. She believes that each person is not their set of discomforts, but a complex whole being comprised of body, mind, spirit, and soul having a unique experience. She recognizes that each symptom is part of a language which the body uses to try to communicate its needs. Actively tuning in to what the body is trying to say, she crafts unique herbal formulas for clients, along with a road map of lifestyle adjustments, self-care practices, personal reflections, and appropriate supplementation.

Read more about Jessica's practice here.

Jessica speaks both English and Spanish.

Julia Busenitz is a clinical herbalist based in Sonoma County. Julia has a background in art and design, studying textiles at CCA in Oakland, with a focus on surface design. She went back to school to study herbalism at the California School of Herbal Studies when mysterious health issues arose in her family, and she sought out ways to help them to heal naturally.

Her background in textiles and design reinforces her approach in her clinical practice, with an ability to recognize patterns and see an overarching picture of health or imbalance. She works with complex cases to find the connections and help regain balance for her clients through herbs, supplements, and lifestyle shifts.

Hao grew up in Vietnam until the age of 10, immersed in the dichotomy of the allopathic medicine model and the day-to-day, traditional practices of folk remedies such as fresh turmeric poultices for wounds and scarring and kumquat-licorice root syrup for coughs and sore throats as well as a culturally integrated concept of the yin and yang of foods. Upon moving to the U.S, she experienced an abrupt disconnection from traditional Vietnamese practices and assimilated into the new paradigm of Tylenol and antibiotics for coughs and colds.

Many years later, upon entering motherhood, she felt called to explore safe and holistic approaches in supporting her children through various, common ailments of childhood. Upon moving to Sonoma County, she completed a two-year clinical training intensive at the California School of Herbal Studies. Propelled by a sense of curiosity, of connection to the natural world and of self-empowerment in being able to support her own health challenges as well as those around her, Hao strives to provide inclusive and accessible health care with an emphasis on health education, evidence-based practices and financially appropriate, personalized protocols. She currently volunteers as a practitioner at the Botanical Bus Bilingual Free Mobile Clinic in Santa Rosa in her spare time.

When she’s not making medicine or working with clients, Hao is hiking, gardening, dancing at Zumba, and whipping up yummy concoctions with various plants, herbs and spices! She’s also a perpetually curious student of plant constituents, nutrition, physiology, and functional phytotherapy.

Before becoming a clinical herbalist, Hao was a globetrotter and a volunteer for a local non-profit organization in the field of mental health in Chennai, India. From 2011-2016, she also worked with marginalized folks in poor, under-resourced communities in France and in the U.S. as a member of ATD Fourth World, an anti-poverty non-profit organization who advocates for people’s dignity and right to cultural and political participation. In addition, she has more than three years of experience as the chief product-maker for a local, organic and natural skincare/bodycare company in Sebastopol. Hao holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of California, San Diego.

Whitni Rader is an Internal Family Systems (IFS) informed therapist with extensive training in Emotionally Focussed Therapy (EFT) for couples and individuals (EFIT). As a trauma-informed therapist, her practice provides find a safe pace for healing. Whitni embraces a holistic approach to therapy, recognizing that no single method fits all. Her therapeutic style is relational and interactive, emphasizing collaboration and always leading with empathy and curiosity

Whitni studied for her MFT at the California Institute for Integral Studies and spent her practicum at Golden Gate Integral Counseling Center, supervised by Dr. Kellen Grayson. There she gained invaluable clinical experience. GGICC is dedicated to providing affordable psychotherapy services to individuals, couples, and families across the San Francisco Bay Area, with a sliding fee scale ensuring accessibility to all. Under Dr. Grayson's guidance, she honed her skills as a therapist, particularly through the psychodynamic and complex trauma lens.

Whitni Rader, Registered Associate MFT #143696 under supervision of a licensed marriage and family therapist..

Read more about Whitni's practice here.

Jessica studied holistic clinical herbalism at the California School of Herbal Studies in Forestville, CA, and previously as an apprentice in Donna D’terra's Yerba Women Herbal Apprenticeship in Willits, CA. After her study at CSHS, she took a Clinical Herbalist Certification program with her instructor and clinical herbalist from CSHS, Bryan Bowen, M.S. In the program, she and the class created a free mobile clinic, Bay Herbalism, which provided free access to natural health care for under-served populations. She has volunteered as a practitioner with the Botanical Bus – bilingual mobile herbal clinic – which provides free health care access to Latinx folx and farmworkers. Also, along with working at Farmacopia, she works as a clinical herbalist for West County Health Centers, collaborating with doctors to provide care to the clinic’s patients.

As a practitioner, Jessica trusts in the innate process of healing inherent in each person, cultivating this gift with her clients. She believes that each person is not their set of discomforts, but a complex whole being comprised of body, mind, spirit, and soul having a unique experience. She recognizes that each symptom is part of a language which the body uses to try to communicate its needs. Actively tuning in to what the body is trying to say, she crafts unique herbal formulas for clients, along with a road map of lifestyle adjustments, self-care practices, personal reflections, and appropriate supplementation.

Read more about Jessica's practice here.

Jessica speaks both English and Spanish.

Hao grew up in Vietnam until the age of 10, immersed in the dichotomy of the allopathic medicine model and the day-to-day, traditional practices of folk remedies such as fresh turmeric poultices for wounds and scarring and kumquat-licorice root syrup for coughs and sore throats as well as a culturally integrated concept of the yin and yang of foods. Upon moving to the U.S, she experienced an abrupt disconnection from traditional Vietnamese practices and assimilated into the new paradigm of Tylenol and antibiotics for coughs and colds.

Many years later, upon entering motherhood, she felt called to explore safe and holistic approaches in supporting her children through various, common ailments of childhood. Upon moving to Sonoma County, she completed a two-year clinical training intensive at the California School of Herbal Studies. Propelled by a sense of curiosity, of connection to the natural world and of self-empowerment in being able to support her own health challenges as well as those around her, Hao strives to provide inclusive and accessible health care with an emphasis on health education, evidence-based practices and financially appropriate, personalized protocols. She currently volunteers as a practitioner at the Botanical Bus Bilingual Free Mobile Clinic in Santa Rosa in her spare time.

When she’s not making medicine or working with clients, Hao is hiking, gardening, dancing at Zumba, and whipping up yummy concoctions with various plants, herbs and spices! She’s also a perpetually curious student of plant constituents, nutrition, physiology, and functional phytotherapy.

Before becoming a clinical herbalist, Hao was a globetrotter and a volunteer for a local non-profit organization in the field of mental health in Chennai, India. From 2011-2016, she also worked with marginalized folks in poor, under-resourced communities in France and in the U.S. as a member of ATD Fourth World, an anti-poverty non-profit organization who advocates for people’s dignity and right to cultural and political participation. In addition, she has more than three years of experience as the chief product-maker for a local, organic and natural skincare/bodycare company in Sebastopol. Hao holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of California, San Diego.

Plants held a special place in my heart since I was young. You could find me in the garden talking to flowers and making potions. My Grandma was an acupuncturist and taught me a lot about healing herbs when I was younger.

In 2022, I decided to start taking a weekend program at CSHS and fell in love. Medicine making became my safe place where I could be creative. I decided I wanted to go deeper in journey with herbalism. In 2023, I completed their Roots program and will joining the Community Herbalism Program in 2024. Working at Farmacopia has also taught me so much and I’m excited to continue to grow with my education!

Elise is a clinical herbalist who is passionate about providing compassionate care and holding space for her clients to be seen and heard in their individual health journeys. Elise has experience in clinical herbalism through the California School of Herbal Studies, the Punta Mona Eclipse Festival Medicine Making Apprenticeship, and the Wellness Clinic at the Northern California Women's Herbal Symposium.

She is also the co-founder of the Herbal Carevan mobile clinic that provides low-cost herbal care. Her specialties include nervous system support, as well as working with the gut and skin issues.

Julia Busenitz is a clinical herbalist based in Sonoma County. Julia has a background in art and design, studying textiles at CCA in Oakland, with a focus on surface design. She went back to school to study herbalism at the California School of Herbal Studies when mysterious health issues arose in her family, and she sought out ways to help them to heal naturally.

Her background in textiles and design reinforces her approach in her clinical practice, with an ability to recognize patterns and see an overarching picture of health or imbalance. She works with complex cases to find the connections and help regain balance for her clients through herbs, supplements, and lifestyle shifts.