Columbia
Constanza Leal is a South American herbalist based in Colombia, devoted to the wisdom of plant medicine. Her journey with herbalism began in 2011 after a life-altering bike accident, guided by the healing support of Comfrey—one of her most cherished plant allies.
Born into a Chilean family that later migrated to the U.S., Constanza’s deep connection to nature was nurtured by childhood experiences foraging mushrooms with her mother and preserving fruits with her grandmother. She later trained in Earth Path Permaculture with Pandora Thomas and Starhawk, Wise Woman healing traditions and plant spirit medicine with Sage Maurer and Steph Zabel, and studied with Doña Lidia Acevedo, a curandera from Oaxaca, Mexico.
Since 2016, she has tended the land in the mountains of Antioquia, Colombia, alongside her husband, growing medicinal plants, wildcrafting, teaching herbalism, and creating small-batch remedies. In 2017, she founded Jardín Secreto, an herbal school and project dedicated to sacred plant education, sustainable harvesting, and ritual gatherings. Her work is guided by the Andean Medicine Wheel, the moon cycles, and the changing seasons.
Constanza has taught over 500 students through workshops, courses, and apprenticeships across South America and New England. Passionate about honoring ancestral wisdom, she encourages students to approach herbalism with humility and respect. Bilingual in Spanish and English, she primarily teaches in her native Spanish but also offers workshops in English.
Website: somosjardinsecreto.com