I am a Licensed Acupuncturist and a geek about all things Chinese medicine, particuarly medicinal herbs. Through most of my Chinese medicine training, I lived in the mountains on a farm where the poetry of nature was more than just words on a page. When I smell the air, soil, and vegetation in different seasons, and know what month it is by the sounds at dawn and dusk, the Huáng Dì Nèi Jing Su Wen and other Chinese medicine classics come to life. I am equally fortunate that my partner is an organic farmer and not only grows our food, but also grows and sells Chinese medicinal herbs to practitioners. The journey from seed to medicine is extraordinary. Witnessing a farmer cultivate taste, texture, and quality in the herbal plants we use as medicine is an insightful education that I wish for every student and practitioner. Learning Chinese herbology in the classroom is not enough. Go into nature. She is your greatest teacher. I live in the West with two dogs, a cat, and banjo.