Robert McCandless, MH, CHT
by author Lucretia Schanfarber

Robert "Bob" McCandless thanks his wife for introducing him to the wonderful world of herbs. That was more than 20 years ago and today he loves his work as a master herbalist and clinical herbal therapist.

"My wife dragged me to a lecture by a herbalist at the YWCA in Calgary and I was enthralled with the speaker and the healing stories he told," McCandless reminisces.

The speaker that McCandless recalls so vividly was none other than world-renowned herbalist Dr. John Christopher. McCandless and many other modern herbalists credit Dr. Christopher for helping to keep herbalism alive in North America at a time when pharmacology was rapidly becoming the biggest influence in medical schools.

"Dr. Christopher enthralled me as he talked about his experiences as a herbalist, experiences that went far beyond the norm in medical science. I was a carpenter at the time, but I knew then and there that I wanted to study to become a herbalist." So study he did!

From Student to Teacher and Practitioner

McCandless completed his correspondence course studies and received his master herbalist (MH) diploma from Dr. Christopher's School of Natural Healing in Springville, Utah. He also completed a clinical herbal therapist (CHT) diploma from Dominion Herbal College and went on to assistant teach the Practical Herbalist Program at Langara College.

With his many years of experience in clinical practice, McCandless now works as a herbalist at Gaia Garden in Vancouver, one of Canada's leading herb stores and dispensaries.

"I consult with all kinds of people with all kinds of health issues. And my clients teach me so much," he remarks. "They tell me their amazing healing stories and I am constantly in awe of the miracle of healing."

An Inspiring Career

McCandless enthusiastically suggests anyone with an interest in health, healing, herbs, and nutrition-along with a desire to help others-pursue the possibility of becoming a herbalist. McCandless speaks highly of the various programs available through Dominion Herbal College, alive Academy of Nutrition, and the School of Natural Healing.

"Even if it is just for your personal and family use, it's wonderful to learn about herbs, anatomy, and physiology," he encourages.

He recommends two all-time favourite herb books: The New Holistic Herbal, by David Hoffman (Harper-Collins, 1994); and Prescription for Herbal Healing, by Phyllis Balch (Avery, 2002).

Health Philosophy

Looking healthy and fit, McCandless states that the basic foundation of his personal and professional health philosophy, beginning with a good diet.

"Diet is definitely key to good health," he affirms. "And there's positive thinking, fresh air, exercise, friends, and good relationships. Then you have the herbs. A lot of people don't realize it, but herbs provide important trace minerals and they are alkaline-both of which greatly contribute to good health."

McCandless also likes to remind us to see disease as an opportunity to gain something meaningful, rather than as something to fear.

As part of the alive magazine Life Makeover series (click here to read all about it), Bob McCandless is consulting with makeover participant Toni Hadgraft. For more information about master herbalist Bob McCandless and Gaia Gardens, visit gaiagardens.com.

Lucretia Schanfarber is a BC writer with a keen interest in herbal medicine.

Source: alive Web Exclusive, May 2007