MWIH Faculty 

Matthew Wood has been a practicing herbalist for over forty years. He is an internationally known teacher and author with more than ten books to his credit, including The Book of Herbal Wisdom, The Earthwise Herbals, Holistic Medicine and the Extracellular Matrix, and A Shamanic Herbal. Matthew has an MSc in herbal medicine from the Scottish School of Herbal Medicine (accredited, U. of Wales). He lives in the Midwest. 

Matthew Wood's Books 
In-Person Herbal Classes

Leigh has a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Minnesota, Duluth, and she has been teaching music for over 18 years.  Beyond her love for the arts, Leigh has nurtured a deep connection with nature since her early years, immersing herself in outdoor adventures like camping, hiking, and nature identification. During her journey, Leigh fell into a pile of astrology books and hasn’t crawled out since. Leigh returned to her nature-loving roots and brought with her love of mythology and the esoteric. In 2016, she became a student of the MWIH. Sharing her knowledge, she also offers local herbalism classes, ranging from practical kitchen remedies to exploring the enchanting power of myth through aphrodisiacs. In her leisure time, you'll find Leigh indulging in various creative pursuits, such as Spirit-based art, picking blackcap raspberries, unleashing terrible puns, and belting out beloved 80s tunes in her car. On her website, she delves into the signatures and connections in the natural world, exploring the spiritual interconnectedness that binds us all.

Leigh Arnoldy's Website


Join Leigh in the Doctrine of Signature Series

Jon Baklund, an experienced remote viewing instructor, began his training at the Farsight Institute in late 1996. With a natural aptitude for remote viewing, Jon swiftly progressed through advanced training and eventually became an instructor himself. Throughout his career, Jon has worked as a professional remote viewer for Farsight and other organizations, accumulating extensive knowledge in the metaphysical realm, intuition, psychic ability, and intention. Having successfully taught numerous individuals the art of remote viewing, Jon brings a unique perspective to the development of intuitive skills.

Furthermore, Jon is the founder of Inomanti International, where he offers online courses and conducts seminars to teach the Inomanti curriculum.


Join Jon in Real Spirit Journey and Intuition Development

Overcoming debilitating health issues is extremely rewarding, which is why Tara continues her personal health studies and encourages others to take the steps to improve their health as well. Her book (currently being revised) is a guide to understanding one’s body type and the foods, exercise, and habits that help each body type to be more balanced.

Tara is also a Trained Remote Viewer of the Inomanti System, Yogini, and Martial Artist. She loves going for walks in nature, mountain-biking with her hubby, cooking for and dining with family and friends, and simply being entertained by their cats.

Tara Baklund's Website

Judith Hill is an award-winning author of thirteen books including the classics: Medical Astrology: A Guide to Planetary Pathology, The Astrological Body Types, and Vocational Astrology. She founded The Academy for Astrological Medicine in 2021. Hill was possibly the first to introduce Western Medical Astrology to Szechuan, China. She is a Chartered Herbalist with Dominion Herbal College and a faculty member for The Matthew Wood Institute of Herbalism and Kepler College. 

Susan Leopold, PhD, is an ethnobotanist and passionate defender of biodiversity. Over the past 20 years, Susan has worked extensively with indigenous peoples in Peru and Costa Rica. She is the Executive Director of United Plant Savers and Director of the Sacred Seeds Project. Prior to working at United Plant Savers, she worked as a librarian at the Oak Spring Garden Library, specializing in digitizing rare herbals and botanical travel manuscripts. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Botanical Dimensions and the Center for Sustainable Economy.

She is an advisory board member of the American Botanical Council. She is a proud member of the Patawomeck Indian Tribe of Virginia and the author of the children's book Isabella's Peppermint Flower, teaching about Virginia's botanical history. She lives on and manages a productive farm, the Indian Pipe Botanical Sanctuary with her three children in Virginia, where she raises goats, peacocks, and herbs. She is an avid recreational tree climber, in love with the canopy just as much as the herbs of the forest floor.


Learn Ethnobotany with Susan.

Judy Lieblein is a Shamanic/Elemental/Clinical Herbalist, Shamanic Practitioner, Flower Essence Practitioner, Reiki Master living on Coast Miwok land as a forest dweller. She is co-owner/manager and herbalist at Gathering Thyme in San Rafael, CA as well as the owner/founder of Sacred Rose Herbals a line of herbal teas, electuaries, and vinegars.

Besides working in the store, Judy teaches at MWIH and TIVI offering classes in Clinical/Shamanic Herbalism, Plant Spirit Medicine, and Elemental Theory. Judy has also maintained a private practice for 30 years seeing clients of all ages. Her specialties are in plant spirit medicine, spiritual emergence/transformation, life crossroads work and grief. Judy’s work is centered towards cultivating health & well-being, personal responsibility, independence, sovereignty and empowerment through plants & flower essences, energy work and embodiment awareness practices.

Judy Lieblein's Website


You can catch Judy in many Herbs A-Z classes. 

Phyllis D. Light, a 4th generation herbalist, has 30+ years of experience with herbs and healing techniques. Her education in Southern Folk Medicine began with her grandmother (rooted in her Creek/Cherokee heritage). She then apprenticed with renowned herbalists like Tommie Bass.

With a master's in Health Studies, Phyllis has taught continuing ed classes for allied health professionals and worked in clinical and private settings. Currently, Phyllis directs the Appalachian Center for Natural Health. She has extensive knowledge in herbalism, nutrition, exercise, massage therapy, reflexology, sports medicine, and energy medicine. She sits on the board of directors of the American Naturopathic Certification Board.

Phyllis authored "Southern Folk Medicine: Healing Traditions from Appalachian Fields and Forests," which explores the history and principles of Southern Folk Medicine. She also co-authored "Traditional Western Herbalism Pulse Evaluation" and has contributed to multiple anthologies. 

Phyllis D. Light's Website


You can catch Phyllis in many classes, but here are some fan favorites: Respiratory System & Respiratory Immunity and B12, Intrinsic Factor & Methylation.

Chris has been a practicing herbalist since 2002. His Ojibwe/Métis grandmother started him on his spiritual journey at the age of 4 when she started telling him about plant and animal medicine. 

His dad grew up on a homestead and knew a lot about wild foods. Between his dad's and grandmother's teachings, he was always outside! Chris uses an energetic approach to herbalism which animal medicine is a part of.


Take a walk on the wild side with Chris in Animal Medicines.

Amanda Nicole is a daughter of the Blue Ridge Mountains. She listens to the trees, sits with the land, and gathers medicine messages to share. As an author, poet, teacher, herbalist, mother of six, and Divine Daughter, it is her delight to hold space for others as their eyes and ears open to the Beauty and Medicine that is All Around Us.

In 2010, Amanda purposefully began her journey with the plants. She studied at Green Comfort School of Herbal Medicine with Teresa Boardwine, continued her studies at the feet of Matthew Wood, and completed an apprenticeship with Ashley Litecky Elenbaas of Sky House Herbs. Grateful for her teachers, Amanda is held by the spirits of her Choctaw (Chahta) ancestors as she offers sacred medicine of Spirit and Earth through classes, consultations, ceremony, written word, and song. 

Her book, Flowers for a Girl: Plant Medicine & Sexual Trauma, is a poetic telling of her healing journey with the plants as teachers and companions. You can hear the plants speak through Amanda by listening to her podcast, Whispers: Plant Spirit Medicine. 

Amanda Nicole's Website


Join Amanda on an adventure in Animal Medicines and Plant Attunement. 

Seán Pádraig O’Donoghue is an herbalist, writer, and teacher, and an initiated Priest in two traditions. He lives in the mountains of western Maine. Seán’s approach to healing weaves together the insights of traditional western herbalism and contemporary science. He regards physical, spiritual, and emotional healing as deeply intertwined.

Prior to becoming an herbalist, Seán was a political organizer in movements for peace, human rights, and global economic justice, and a freelance journalist documenting the human and ecological impacts of U.S. policies in Latin America. 

He grew up near Boston, a short distance from where his great-grandparents first landed when they arrived from Ireland. Since childhood, he has been an avid student of Irish history and folklore. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1996 with a degree in English Literature and Creative Writing. 

Seán Pádraig O’Donoghue's Website


Dig deep with Sean Pharmacology for Herbalists and Psychological Herbal Assessments.

Lori Valentine Rose, Ph.D., CNP, BCHN, FDN-P, RH (AHG), NBC-HWC, is a college biology, nutrition, herbal, and wellness instructor, national board-certified nutrition professional and holistic nutrition consultant, Functional Diagnostic Nutrition® Practitioner, board registered herbalist, national board-certified health and wellness coach, wife, mother, organic vegetable, fruit, and medicinal herb gardener, school garden planter, city class teacher, and passionate Zumba dancer! 

She created, developed, and instructs the Hill College Holistic Wellness Pathway, the most thorough, affordable, degreed wellness program in the country. She loves spreading love and light, and helping others feel awesome on the inside and out so they can live their dreams and make this world more awesome!

Lori Rose's Website


Get in the kitchen and start Herbal Medicine Making with Lori. 

Judith is an accomplished educational media producer, whose work has been part of the curriculum at a national herb school for over a decade. With a background in producing feature reports for the PBS NewsHour and hosting a public radio interview program at the University of Minnesota, she brings a wealth of experience.

Her passion to become a modern-day Henry Higgins of the plant world began in college studying the Cornish dialect. With 13 years of experience in the pronunciation standards required in TV and radio broadcasting, Judith's expertise was honed during her time as moderator for the TV version of The Minnesota High School Quiz Bowl. This exposed her to many words, solidifying proficiency in pronunciation. Judith has also studied herbs since 1993 with Matthew Wood, deepening her expertise in the field.

Drawing upon her knowledge, Judith created a comprehensive resource that offers a definitive explanation of plant pronunciation - accessible to all. She is delighted to contribute to the herbal community via "Pronouncing Plant Names - A Guide to Botanical Latin." 


Learn how to pronounce those tongue twister plant names in Botanical Latin with Judith.

William G. Winter, hailing from a farming family, obtained his veterinary degree from Kansas State University in 1975. In 1980, he established one of the largest and most successful holistic veterinary practices in the US.

He holds advanced certifications in veterinary homeopathy, herbal medicine, veterinary chiropractic, and animal psychology. He co-founded the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association and contributes to eco-agriculture and livestock grazing journals. He retired from his practice in 1999 to focus on holistic livestock issues, sustainable agriculture, and nutrition. Will is the founder of the American Holistic Livestock Association and leads the local chapter for the Weston A. Price Foundation in Minneapolis-St. Paul. He serves as consultant for the Thousand Hills Cattle Company.

He owns Rescue Animal Products and developed or owned Sojourner Farms, Restoration Raw Pet Food, and Raw Bistro. At Lucky Pig Farms, he raises pastured Berkshire hogs and utilizes his flocks of American Blackbelly Hair Sheep and Kiko-Boer meat goats for invasive weed eradication.

Will Winter's Website


Have some dog-gone fun with Will Winter in Natural Alternatives for Pet Care.