Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Thomas.
Hi Elizabeth, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
My interest in herbalism naturally sprung forth from my love of gardening and urban homesteading. Coming from a long line of farmers and Appalachian folk, growing plants and working the soil have been interests of mine for years. I was diagnosed with various autoimmune diseases in 2018, and that’s when my love of plants converged with an interest in various methods of healing the body. I actually had a fantastic rheumatologist with the Cleveland Clinic (since retired) that encouraged me to try some holistic therapies.
I have completed the Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine herbal immersion course and am currently a Master Clinical Herbalist student with the Sewanee School of Herbal Medicine. I have also taken and completed various courses through other herbal schools. It is my belief that education isn’t something that is ever just finished; it’s a lifelong process.
I am currently studying and working with native and invasive plant species to support people’s health goals. Working with invasive species lessens the ecological burden of shipping herbs from other farms. I do also grow a variety of medicinal plants in various niches on my .25-acre property in downtown Wooster. Another passion of mine is education. I lead plant walks and foraging hikes to show others how to identify plants safely and how to forage ethically. Being a member of United Plant Savers, I feel that it is important to protect at-risk species and teach people to work with other plants that are more plentiful or can be ethically grown.
I believe in the power of food, plants, movement, and mindfulness to help you feel more energized, focused, and happy. I also believe that balance is key—that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to wellness—and that everyone deserves to thrive. I have since added sound therapy alongside the clinical herbalist aspect of my business, as I feel that it is just as important to heal the mind as it is to heal the body.
My goal is to help you find your own path to feeling like your best self so that you can live the life you deserve.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, absolutely not easy at all. My father passed away part way through some of my courses. I also had my daughter in August 2022, along with raising my other children. On top of working through some of those major life upheavals, growing plants is very dependent on the weather. Right now, we are dealing with weeks of no rain, so it’s been an interesting growing season already, to say the least.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business?
330 Alchemy offers personalized herbal consultations and protocols, sound healing therapy, and herbal products such as tinctures, salves, and tea blends. Everything is made in small batches here in downtown Wooster. What sets us apart is that we give the education to continue your healing journey.
I am most proud of the Muscle & Joint Ease salve. We have had fantastic results and feedback from clients on how well it works.
We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
People are always surprised when I reveal that I used to work in auto collision repair. From that to auto detailing to crochet, I’ve always been involved in really detail-oriented work. I think it carries over well to working with plants medicinally. There is a lot of detail-oriented work involved with that as well. Between growing, investigating potential drug-herb interactions, or actions on various body systems, a lot of fine details.
Contact Info:
- Website: 330Alchemy.com
- Instagram: @330Alchemy
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/330Alchemy
