Laura Torraco

Laura is a practicing herbalist, artist, and researcher rooted in Western Massachusetts, where she runs Sage Green Botanicals, a community-centered apothecary focused on accessible, plant-based care. She is a teacher with the Wellness Beyond Walls program through the People’s Medicine Project, and co-director of the Western Mass Herbal Symposium, a gathering space for herbalists and healing arts practitioners to connect, share, and learn. Laura’s teaching is informed by a strong commitment to accessibility, justice, and meeting people where they’re at. Outside of her herbal work, she is currently an Ada Comstock Scholar and Kahn Fellow researching the relationship between empire, resistance, and olive trees in the Mediterranean—an inquiry that bridges ecology, memory, and the politics of land. Through all her work, Laura is guided by a belief in the resilience of plants, people, and the power of deep listening.

Laura will be teaching:

Introduction to the nervous system

Join us for an immersive exploration into the world of herbalism through the lens of the nervous system. Designed for beginner and intermediate herbal practitioners, this course offers a foundational understanding of nervous system anatomy and physiology, while also diving into its deep interconnections with other body systems—such as the endocrine, digestive, and immune systems. We’ll explore key herbal categories including nervines, anti-inflammatories, tonic, adaptogens, and trophorestoratives, and get to know specific herbs that nourish, calm, and support the nervous system. This course offers both practical and heart-centered tools for working with herbs, and beyond the herbs themselves, we’ll look at the art of the practitioner—how to conduct meaningful client intakes, listen deeply, and meet people where they are at.

Are you interested in becoming an herbalist?

We are excited to announce the revision of the East West Course. It is a work in progress with the first 9 Lessons released. This is a new and exciting adventure in energetic herbal medicine with a strong Chinese herbal medicine foundation is set to be the new standard for students of herbal medicine and natural healing.