A recent transplant from Waldron Island, Kristy Bredin is a new practicing herbalist at the Healing Arts Center in Eastsound.

Bredin has studied with herbalist Robin Rose Bennett in New York and completed her holistic health coach training through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in 2009. For the past four years she has worked with Ryan Drum on Waldron, wildcrafting medicinal plants and seaweeds and occasional client case-work. She says her work with Dr. Drum has given her a thorough understanding and practical knowledge of local plants and seaweeds as foods and medicines; seaweeds and thyroid health; lifestyle choices for optimal health; and traditional herbalism.

Bredin’s practice focuses on supporting growth through the healing process. Through each session, she empowers clients to be active participants in their well being, guiding them in tuning into the messages of their bodies, adding nourishing food and herbs to their diets, making health-positive lifestyle choices and transforming patterns to strengthen their health and stimulate healing. Bredin teaches classes on seaweeds and land plants as food and medicine locally and in other parts of the country. As she begins her practice at the Healing Arts Center, she will be reviewing her cases with Ryan Drum and Paul Bergner toward her certification as a registered herbalist through the American Herbalists Guild. She hopes to offer a women’s apprenticeship circle on the island next spring.

For more information, stop by the Healing Arts Center or call 376-4002.