Debra St. Claire,
Master Herbalist and
Pioneer in EcoPreservation

EcoNatural Solutions, Inc. was founded by master herbalist Debra St. Claire in 1993. Out of her passion for preserving herbal knowledge and herbs of the rainforest emerged the EthnoMedicine Preservation Project (EMPP). Her dream was to find a way to support the nonprofit, whose goal is preserving the medicinal plant knowledge of indigenous cultures.

Debra saw a need for an alternative to Altoids® without animal by-products or refined sugars. EcoNatural Solutions was then created to make great products with 10% of the profits donated to EMPP.

The EthnoMedicine Preservation Project: The driving force behind EcoNatural Solutions. 10% of all profits go directly to the nonprofit to aid it efforts!

Mission Statement: The purpose of the EthnoMedicine Preservation Project (EMPP) is to preserve the medicinal plant knowledge of indigenous cultures through documentation, exchange of information and preservation of habitat to keep the diversity of this knowledge available for future generations.

Project Description: Indigenous peoples represent living libraries of medicinal plant knowledge that are being lost as they merge with modern society. Each culture contains a unique system of medicine with different degrees of emphasis on the mental, physical and spiritual aspects of healing. These cultures have traditionally depended on the living transmission of these techniques from master to apprentice. The young people who would normally continue this living link as apprentices to the ‘medicine people’ of these cultures have been abandoning the often primitive environments of their ancestors in pursuit of a ‘better’ life, leaving the elders with no one to teach. It is not enough to record this knowledge in books, because the vitality of the experience is only partially understood through words.

The purpose of EMPP is to provide a way in which the living knowledge of these cultures is preserved. It consists of a three-fold plan for each culture:

The creation of a botanical preserve in an that contains the greatest variety of medicinal plant species.

The video graphic and physical documentation of the medicinal plants used: their habitat, harvesting techniques, preservation and storage, preparation as medicines and therapeutic application. This will provide a way for the culture to re-seed this knowledge into itself when it loses its healers.

The creation of a traditional healing clinic which preserves the ancient healing techniques in living form.

DEBRA’S PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2005 – so far…

Completed the revision of the Pocket Herbal Reference Guide

Completed 86 articles on medicinal herbal formulas for a variety of health issues

Began editing process for 3 part video series on ancient Maya medicine and the work of Dr. Rosita Arvigo in Belize

2003 – 2004

Completed the filming portion of a 3 part video/DVD series on ancient Maya medicine.

Produced a second CD collection of traditional Andean music, entitled“Rumiñahui

Andean Visions” as a fundraiser for the EthnoMedicine Preservation Project.

Redesigned all St. Claire’s Organics product packaging and all marketing flyers for EcoNatural Solutions, Inc.

2001 – 2003

Co-designed 10 new products for EcoNatural Solutions. Designed and produced the packaging for all products.

Designed the Saumerio Peruvian Incense basket as a fundraiser for the EthnoMedicine Preservation Project.

Began planning the second EMPP documentary – on indigenous Maya medicine.

2000 – 2001

Designed and conducted ecological tours to the Amazon basin and Andean mountains of Peru in collaboration with Cross Cultural Journeys and the Institute of Noetic Sciences.

1998 – 1999

Video producer, documentary, “Where Elders Meet – Peruvian Traditional Medicine in the Amazon and Andes”

Produced first CD of traditional Andean music – “Rumiñahui En Machu Picchu”. as a fundraiser for the EthnoMedicine Preservation Project.

1997 – 1998

Consultant for the design and development of a fresh plant herb extraction laboratory in Lima, Peru, which is operational and has successfully shipped its products to the US.

Consultant for the development of on-site fresh plant extraction processes at the Isula Botanical Preserve in the Amazon jungle of Peru.

1996 – 1997

Authored a “The Home Herbal Medicine Cabinet – Making Natural Remedies at Home”, published by Celestial Arts Press.

Raised the funds and purchased 1,600 acres of additional virgin rainforest land for the Isula Biological Preserve on behalf of the EthnoMedicine Preservation Project.

1995

Co-designed and installed a solar electricity station for the Isula Biological Preserve in the Amazon basin of Peru.

1993 – Present

Co-Founder and Executive Director – EthnoMedicine Preservation Project – 501c3 nonprofit organization whose core mission is to preserve the medicinal plant knowledge of indigenous cultures through documentation, exchange of information and preservation of habitat….to keep the diversity of this knowledge available for future generations.

Founder, CEO – EcoNatural Solutions, Inc., producer of St. Claire’s Organics, a 25 product line of certified organic breath mints, sweets, tart candies and Aromatherapy Pastilles®.

Founder, President – EcoNatural Research

Founder, President – EcoNatural Consulting

1992 – 1993

Conference consultant, MC, and panel moderator, Global Health Conference ‘93.

1991 – 93

Authored the ‘Pocket Herbal Reference Guide’, published originally by Crossing Press then by Celestial Arts Press after the Crossing/Celestial merger.

Summer Faculty, Dominion Herbal College

1990 – 93

Summer Faculty, The School of Natural Medicine

1989 – 90

Faculty advisor, Colorado Herbal Institute, Boulder, Colorado

1989 – Present

Founder, Managing Director – Morningstar Publications, LLC – Publishers of botanical medicine texts and instructional video/DVD series.

Produced a 4 hour instructional video program entitled, “Herbal Preparations and Natural Therapies – Creating and Using a Home Herbal Medicine Chest”

1989 – PRESENT

Faculty, Herbalist Certification program, The School of Natural Healing

1986 – 87

Co-founded Flatirons Chiropractic and Natural Health Center with husband, Dr. Richard Nuzzi.

Gestated and gave birth to second daughter, Jessica Meredith Morningstar Nuzzi.

1984 – 1992

Founder, formulator and president of Nature’s Apothecary, Inc. (Company sold in 1993.)

240 fresh plant herbal extracts, formulas and natural therapy products

Complete line of aromatherapy inhalers – 35 formulas created with pure, medicinal quality essential oils.

Initial development planning for independent laboratory sites owned/staffed by native peoples to produce ecological, bio-regional herbal medicine.

1984 – 85

Co-founded and managed Plaza North Chiropractic and Natural Health Center with husband, Dr. Richard Nuzzi.

Gestated and gave birth to first daughter, Sierra Kristin Nuzzi.

1983

United States lecture tour, teaching herbal medicine and natural healing techniques.

Product development and marketing consultant for Chiropractic/Naturopathic clinic in New York City.

1980-82

Art director, graphic designer, research assistant, editor, and publishing assistant for Dr. Bernard Jensen during the publication of his following books: My System, Iridology Simplified, Tissue Cleansing Through Bowel Management and The Science and Practice of Iridology, Book II, plus a variety of educational charts and tools.

1977-80

Founder and formulator of a gift oriented herb company – Complete line of sachet and potpourris, bath herbs, bouquet garni and bulk potpourri, distributed nationwide to upscale department stores including Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Lord and Taylor, Broadway, May Co., Frederick and Nelson, Bon Marche, Saks. (First company, founded at age 23.) Company sold in 1980.

Author

Herbal Preparations and Natural Therapies, Creating and Using a Home Herbal Medicine Chest (Video/Workbook set) Designed and directed the entire video production

Pocket Herbal Reference Guide

The Herbal Medicine Cabinet – Making Natural Remedies at Home

Currently working on a coauthored book with Dr. Bernard Jensen (posthumous), entitled: Herbal Self Care for Home and Travel.

Numerous magazine articles and radio interviews

Film Director/Executive Producer

“Where Elders Meet – Peruvian Traditional Medicine in the Amazon and Andes”

Botanical Product Formulator

• Athletic Recovery Oil®, a regenerative liniment for muscle and tissue injuries

• EcoNatural Solutions’ Herbal Mouthwash Kit™ – An herbal mouthwash concentrate that promotes oral health and is an ‘earth friendly’, anti-waste alternative to traditional mouthwashes on the market.

• St. Claire’s Cold Care Collection – a collection of herbal extracts, sprays, syrups and essential oils to alleviate respiratory congestion, colds and flu.

• A 25 product line of certified organic breath mints, candies and Aromatherapy Pastilles® under the St. Claire’s brand name.

• 240 fresh plant herbal extracts, proprietary formulas and natural therapy products under the brand names- Mother Tinctures, Nature’s Apothecary and Essential Aromatherapy.

• Complete line of aromatherapy inhalers – 35 formulas created with pure, medicinal quality essential oils.

• “Scent of the Goddess” – Aromatherapy essential oil set.

• Complete line of sachet and potpourris, bath herbs, bouquet garni and bulk potpourri.

Consultant

Reference: Herbal medicine/natural healing

Consultant to physicians on the use of herbal extracts and natural therapy products, including custom formulation and case treatment specifics.

Product development for projects concerning the natural foods industry and the environment.

Entrepreneur

All the trappings of the profession, including the ability to create something out of nothing, and finding the fastest way from point A to point B without looking down. “A chasm is not crossed in two jumps.” Debra has generated 11 companies, the first at age 23. Company/Product design from concept through marketplace.

International Speaker, Educator

Lectures, workshops and intensives covering the subject of natural health care (specifically herbal medicine), since 1982.

Graphic Design/Illustration – Nourishing and clarifying seed ideas into visual impact statements – Book, video, CD & DVD covers, illustrations, ads, logos, product package design and marketing materials.

Art director, Film director, Graphic designer, Medical illustrator

Research and Development

Reference: Natural health care, herbal medicine, environmentally sustainable human lifestyles.

EDUCATION

Undergraduate studies – Indiana University

30 years study, practice and teaching – botanical medicine and natural healing

Earned diploma as a Chartered Herbalist

Earned diploma as a Clinical Herbalist

Earned two seperate diplomas as a Master Herbalist

Certified Graphic Designer

Certified Massage Therapist

NOLS – Outdoor Leadership Program

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Professional Member – American Herbalist Guild

American Botancical Counsel, Herb Research Foundation, Social Venture Network, Sierra Club, Nature Conservancy.

LANGUAGES Fluent in English and Spanish

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About the Editor: Bobbie Grennier is a freelance writer (www.authorstour.com).