Meet Our Botanical Experts
Welcome to our institute! Here you will find a team of dedicated experts who are passionate about botanical studies. They are committed to sharing their knowledge and expertise with you.
Dr. Anne Marija Helt PhD
Microbiologist, Certified Clinical Herbalist
Marija is an herbalist, writer, and former research scientist based in Durango, Colorado. She practices and teaches through her business, Osadha Natural Health, LLC. Before falling in love with all things plant and mushroom, she studied cancer and pathogenic viruses for a dozen years. She left the lab bench after completing her postdoctoral work and trained with multiple herbalists over several years while running a cafe in San Francisco. She’s been in clinical practice since 2009, combining herbal traditions with science and a never-ending sense of wonder.
Debra Swanson
Certified Clinical Herbalist
Debra Swanson is the founder and creatrix of Dancing Willow Herbs which she began in 1991, pioneering herbalism in the 4 corners. Her breadth of knowledge spans over 30 years working as a clinician, medicine maker and educator. A village herbalist Debra has assisted many generations of community members on their healing journey. As a teacher and educator, the success of Dancing Willow Herbs has been a gateway for many an aspiring herbalist. In 2021 she sold Dancing Willow Herbs to focus on her private practice as a Clinical Herbalist and Professional Astrologer.
Dr. Aaylah Wellspring ND
Naturopathic Doctor, Herbalist
Dr. Aaylah Wellspring has known from a young age that she has spent lifetimes in service of mother earth and the fairy realms. Her mission and purpose on this planet is to connect people to their plant relatives and preserve the connection and knowledge of plant medicines.
A Naturopathic doctor since 2017 she specializes in gastrointestinal disorders, chronic fatigue and hormonal balancing. At her practice Wellspring Naturopathic Medicine, she focuses on coaching, lifestyle modifications, diet and herbal medicine to facilitate whole body healing. She also offers holistic pelvic floor rehabilitation trained by Tami Kent and Tibetan sound bowl healing sessions certified by the Atma Buti Sound and Vibration school in Boulder, CO.
Equally important to her service to humans Aaylah is also CEO of Wild Fed a company she started in Naturopathic school 10yrs ago that makes high quality organic herbal supplements for horses. Her passion for herbal education for humans and animals lead her to found the Botanical Studies Institute in the fall of 2024.
In addition to her more formal training, Aaylah has been on a spiritual path for most of her life but has become more focused and has deepened in her training in the last few years. Studying the directions of the medicine wheel with the Green Elder Project for the last 2yrs and participating in the ceremonial Danza de Luna in Teotihuacan Mexico for the last 3 yrs under the heartfelt guidance of Abuela Lupita. Last year she was initiated as a sacred pipe carrier.
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Deb Buck
Herbalist, Owner Yoga Durango
Deb enjoys fusing devotion, strength, integrity, and grace in order to inspire contagious enthusiasm in service to Mother Earth, Community and Self. She practices deep interest in Yoga as a rich path of transformation, awakening innate intelligence and healing through which yoga combines the practical with mysticism. Deb embraces the boundless yoga practice as something that can open paths of transformation and nourish one’s unique spiritual way of life. Her specialty is to encourage students toward self-inquiry through their connection to nature as well as exploring how yoga practice can be a metaphor for how we choose to be in life and in relationship. She loves to discover and continuously question how to embody the practice; how to really walk the talk and perceives Yoga as path towards wholeness. Deb began yoga at the age of 19 eventually participating in her first yoga teacher training through Yogadurango in 2010. She has since invested her time and heart in study with Bhavani Maki, diving deep into the heart of Yoga Philosophy and Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras and studied with Eddie Modestini and Kristin Bosteels in the method of Yoga on the Inside. Deb is currently a Yoga Therapist in training with Inner Peace Yoga Therapy. She has also trained many hours with Ruby Jo Walker of Southwest Trauma Trainings in Polyvagal Theory, Resilience and Post Traumatic Growth.
Brittany Osborn is an herbalist, farmer, mother, and lifelong student of plant-based traditions. She planted her first herb garden at 16 and has been studying the art and science of working with plants ever since.
With a passion for locally grown botanicals, Brittany spent many years cultivating medicinal herbs and supplying apothecaries with high-quality, regionally grown plants. Through hands-on experience in the field and continued education, she developed a deep understanding of growing, harvesting, and preparing herbs with care.
Animas Botanicals was founded from this experience and a commitment to working with fresh plants harvested at their peak—creating vibrant, small-batch botanical products rooted in integrity, quality, and connection to the land.
Brady Wilson
Brady Wilson
Herbalist, Mushroom Expert
Brady Wilson, born and raised in the heart of the Rockies, is an Herbal Medicine Maker, Wild Forager, Mushroom Vendor and Educator. Often found barefoot in the forest, singing with the birds and babbling brooks, he has a lifelong love affair with the earth and her abundance. Yoga Teacher, and special events DJ, he is a sacred space creator, cultivating diverse and interrelated community relationships. Whether with movement, music,
spoken word poetry, mantra, or plant medicines, his works exemplify his devotion to the healing arts. Brady believes in the innate regenerative capabilities of human beings and our relationship with the Earth.
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Brittany Osborn
Farmer, Herbalist