Summer News   July 2026   Vol.19 No. 2

In This Issue

• H&A Connects with the Herbal Community this Spring  
• Our Lion's Mane Formula is a Hit
• David's Blog on Energy, Vitality and Healthy Aging
• David Winston's Students: Where are they Now? Betzy Bancroft, RH (AHG)
• The Events Continue for H&A
• Media Update
• Sales, Deals, Rewards and More!
• Herbal Jeopardy Contest
• 2026 Herbal Salon Schedule
• Herbalist Training Program Information

H&A Connects with the Herbal Community this Spring

This spring, Herbalist & Alchemist was delighted to participate in two cherished events that brought together herbalists, students, healthcare practitioners, and plant enthusiasts to celebrate the power of plants, education, and community.

On May 2, we joined more than 2,000 attendees at Herb Day, hosted by the North New Jersey chapter of the American Herbalists Guild at Well-Sweep Herb Farm in Port Murray, NJ. Despite a rainy start, the weather soon cleared, creating a beautiful setting for a day of learning and connection.

David Winston RH(AHG) led an herb walk through the farm’s beautiful grounds, hosted a book signing, and presented a lecture titled Fearing the Future: Herbal/Nutritional Treatment of Anxiety Disorders.

National Sales Manager Nicole Smith ran our booth, where she enjoyed meeting attendees, sharing information about our formulations, and hearing how herbs are supporting their wellness journeys.

Later in May, Herbalist & Alchemist returned to the Medicines From the Earth Symposium in Black Mountain, North Carolina. After the event’s temporary relocation following Hurricane Helene, it felt especially meaningful to gather once again at its longtime home in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The symposium brought together herbalists, clinicians, educators, and students for several days of learning, discussion, and fellowship. David Winston led the pre-conference Ethnobotanical Native Plant Field Study and participated in a panel discussion on bone health across the lifespan, while sharing stories, insights and his passion for medicinal plants.

At the H&A booth, Nicole welcomed visitors, answered questions, and enjoyed conversations with an engaged and enthusiastic crowd. The event even included an unforgettable visit from a mother bear and her cubs, a reminder that gatherings in the mountains often come with a little wildlife excitement.

Both events reinforced what makes the herbal community so special: a commitment to learning, sharing knowledge and fostering meaningful connections. We left each gathering feeling grateful, inspired and energized by the people and plants that continue to bring us together.

Nicole Smith attended the North Carolina Integrative Medical Society’s Synergy Conference, marking H & A's first time participating in this event. Invited by valued customer Dr. Nicole DiNezza, we were honored to take part in a gathering that highlights the importance of integrative, patient-centered care. Through this presence, H&A is supporting practitioners with high-quality herbal formulas while building meaningful relationships within the professional community. The winner of the gift basket filled with H&A products was Dr. Bisma Irfan. Her clinic is the Kidney Institute in Houston, TX. 

Lion's Mane is a Hit: What Makes It Different?

It’s been gratifying how well received H&A’s new Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) blended formula of both fruiting body and mycelium mushroom extracts for memory and focus support has been. We worked on this for a long time before introducing it in April, and are glad our customers like it as much as we do.

Our unique blended Lion’s Mane extract is made by combining two very different extracts, each made with their own specific concentration and menstruum. One is made from the fruiting body of the organically grown mushroom and a second from the mycelium. Our blended extract formula presents a full spectrum of activity from this well studied mushroom that helps support memory and focus*.

David Discusses Herbs for Energy, Vitality, and Healthy Aging in Latest Blog

Energy, vitality and healthy aging are closely connected. How we eat, sleep, manage stress, exercise and care for emotional health all influence how we feel as we age.

Herbal traditions have long approached these concerns holistically; not by focusing on a single symptom, but by supporting the body’s ability to adapt, restore balance and maintain resilience over time.

David Winston's Students: Where Are They Now?

Betzy Bancroft RH(AHG) is a co-founder, teacher, and student clinic mentor at the Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism, and a clinical herbalist through VCIH’s professional clinic. She lives next door to Sage Mountain, and is now teaching in-person classes there. Betzy serves on the United Plant Savers’ Advisory Board.

Betzy just published a book, Herbal Pharmacy: the Science and Magic of Preparing and Administering Plant Medicine (Chelsea Green), a comprehensive textbook on medicine making. We are catching up with Betzy, as we previously interviewed her for the Autumn 2012 newsletter.

H&A Events 2026

AHG Symposium - Aug 14-16

Stop by our table for a Free Sample

at Blue Ridge Assembly - Black Mountain, NC

Herbalists gather to learn, connect and deepen our shared commitment to herbalism, and also support the local region as it continues to recover from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene in 2024. This year’s theme is: Facilitating Regulation: The Role of Clinical Herbalism in Autoimmunity & Chronic Conditions.

SOHO EXPO - Sept 10-13 

Visit H&A Booth #308 at Gaylord Palm, Kissimmee, FL     

AHVMA - Oct 3-6 

Visit H&A Booth #409 at Town & Country, San Diego, CA

Nutritional Outlook did a wonderful article about our launch of Lion’s Mane

WholeFoods magazine included David’s wisdom in their Pillars of Mental Resilience article

Beth Lambert contributed her expertise to Vitamin Retailer‘s coverage of the Growing Market for Herbs & Botanical Formulas

In July we are featuring David Winston’s formulas that address skin support and vision support. Summer often brings outdoor activities, swimming, and increased exposure to environmental elements, making topical herbal products even more of a summer “must haves”. Herbal ointments used in your self-care can help to moisturize, soothe and massage your dry and active skin.

2nd Quarter Rewards were recently placed on accounts.

Check your Active Promotions to see if you earned a discount!

Herbal Jeopardy Contest - Summer Edition   

Answer correctly & you will be entered in a drawing to win an H&A "Coupon" worth $50.00 towards future purchases of our quality products.  

Our SPRING Contest Winner was Binh-an, but congrats to all who answered Chaste Tree, botanical name "Vitex agnus-castus"

David Winston's Herbal Salon 2026 Schedule*   

Wholesale customers: Want to deepen your herbal knowledge but don't have much time? Spend an hour a month in David Winston's Herbal Salon. 

An exclusive educational opportunity for Practitioners, David Winston takes on a topic and provides in-depth information on the effects of various herbs. You have the opportunity to ask questions as he teaches. 

• Open to Herbalist & Alchemist wholesale accounts
• Online, once a month, on a Wednesday at noon - Eastern time
• Practitioners or health food store employees who wish to receive an invitation, contact karen@herbalist-alchemist.com

2026 schedule:

AUG 5 - ADHD and Herbal Support

SEPT 2 - Emotional Support

OCT 7 - Mushrooms

NOV 4 - Mental Acuity and Brain Health

DEC 2 - 5th annual Ask the Herbalist

*Dates and Topics are subject to change 

David Winston’s Center for Herbal Studies is preparing for the next two-year herb studies program (the 47- 48th year). The team will start interviewing prospective students this coming month and continue through the summer. The training program will begin in September.

Onsite Store Hours

Tuesday – Friday, 12 to 5:30 PM. Saturday, 10 AM to 3 PM

401 E. Washington Ave. Washington, NJ. Inside Warren Plaza.