Some teachers give you information. A few rare elders give you orientation—a way of seeing the work itself. This conversation with Paul Bergner is very much the latter.
With over five decades of clinical practice, teaching, and mentorship, Paul has quietly helped shape modern Western herbalism as we know it. In this intimate living-room monologue, he reflects on a lifetime of work with plants, patients, students, and community—and on why true herbalism is not just a profession, but a calling.
This is not a fast-tips or trendy-protocol conversation. It’s a slow, grounded, elder-level transmission of how herbal medicine actually lives and evolves through diet, sleep, follow-ups, community learning, and disciplined practice.
A Life in Service to Clinical Herbalism
Paul began his work in the 1970s teaching medical self-care through diet, movement, and nature-cure practices—often in prisons and recovery communities. Those early years shaped his lifelong emphasis on dietetics first, herbs second, and on working with the body’s natural restorative power rather than against it.
Over time, his path led through naturopathic medical training, food co-op herbal practice, and ultimately into the creation and leadership of major educational institutions, including the North American Institute of Medical Herbalism. Along the way, Paul has reviewed thousands of student clinical cases and helped train more than 400 graduates through full clinical programs.
His perspective is rare precisely because it is based not only on books, but on tens of thousands of real follow-ups—the place where theory either proves itself or falls apart.
Key Themes from This Conversation
In this talk, Paul explores:
Herbalism as a Calling
Why true healers feel “tapped on the shoulder” by the work—and why rigor feels like nourishment when the calling is real.
Case-Based Learning Over Theory
Why follow-ups matter more than memorization, and how real clinical skill is built observation by observation.
Diet, Sleep, and Foundations of Health
Why no amount of herbs can compensate for poor sleep, unresolved food intolerances, or metabolic imbalance.
Community Herbalism vs. Isolated Practice
What you learn when you see the same people week after week in real life—not just scheduled clinic visits.
The Future of Herbal Medicine
Why the medicine is actually becoming simpler, not more complex—and why critical thinking and empirical learning must guide the next generation.
Why This Matters Right Now
At a time when herbalism is more visible than ever—through social media, short courses, and quick certifications—Paul’s voice offers an essential counterbalance. He reminds us that medicine unfolds over years, not algorithms, and that clinical wisdom is earned through patience, humility, and real-world accountability.
For students, practitioners, teachers, and longtime plant lovers alike, this is a rare opportunity to sit with one of the elders of the field and simply listen.
Watch the Full Conversation (Video)
Listen to the Audio Version
Learn More About Paul Bergner
Explore Paul’s teaching, curriculum, and online courses through the North American Institute of Medical Herbalism.
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