Alabama, USA
Phyllis D. Light, a fourth generation herbalist and healer, has studied and worked with herbs, foods, and other healing techniques for over 30 years. Her studies in Traditional Southern Folk Medicine began in the deep woods of North Alabama with lessons from her grandmother, whose herbal and healing knowledge had its roots in her Creek/Cherokee heritage. Phyllis’ studies continued as an apprentice with the late Tommie Bass, a nationally renowned folk herbalist from Sand Rock, Alabama, as well as other herbal elders throughout the Appalachians and the Deep South.
Phyllis has a master’s degree from the University of Alabama in Health Studies, education and promotion, nutrition and healthcare. She has taught CEU classes for allied healthcare professionals including nurses, nurse practitioners, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and social workers. She is a professional member of the American Herbalist Guild and served as vice-president for several years and member of the admissions committee. In addition, she is on the board of directors of the American Naturopathic Certification Board and the Alabama Sustainable Agricultural Network.
She has experience in both clinical and private settings including working in integrative medical clinics in Birmingham and Huntsville, Alabama. Phyllis was supervising herbalist at Common Ground Health Clinic in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. She was Director of Herbal Studies at Clayton College of Natural Health, taught CEU courses in integrative medicine for Diversified Nursing Services, and has written courses for Penn Foster Career College and Ashworth College. In addition to herbalism and nutrition, Phyllis has studied exercise science, massage therapy, reflexology, sports medicine, and energy medicine.
Currently, she is the director of the Appalachian Center for Natural Health in Arab, Alabama, which offers both online classes and in-person workshops. www.phyllisdlight.com. Phyllis continues to maintain an active private practice and consults with clients and offers health educational classes for businesses. She is on the faculty of the Matthew Wood Institute of Herbalism.
Phyllis is the author of Southern Folk Medicine, Healing Traditions from Appalachian Fields and Forests published by North Atlantic. This important work chronicles the history of Southern Folk Medicine from the early settlement days of the New World and codifies its principles for ease of understanding. She is the co-author of Traditional Western Herbalism Pulse Evaluation with Matthew Wood and Francis Bonaldo. Phyllis has also contributed to various anthologies published by Plant Healer Publications and has written articles for various natural health magazines and journals.
Website: phyllisdlight.com