Meet Mindy Green | Herbalist, Aromatherapist, Esthetician, Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mindy Green and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mindy, what inspires you?
My career was inspired by nature and I can’t say that it was all that intentional in the beginning. I inched my way in via my personal interests in the late 60’s and found myself at the forefront of a movement of natural healing, organics and an early awareness of our ecosystem. I also stumbled my way into various jobs throughout my career that involved the depths and the fringes of the natural world. Whether it was as an herbalist, aromatherapist, researcher, esthetician, author, lecturer, a couple of stints with non-profit organizations or my time in R & D for a large cosmetics manufacturer, my path has always kept me connected to nature and plants in some way, often writing or educating others about them. In my lifelong quest for optimal health my personal trail led me in directions I could not have dreamed of… mostly because many of my jobs were in arenas that never existed before I worked there. My interest, especially in aromatic plants is particularly close to my heart. It’s my personal belief that taking in plants, whether thru the vegetables on our dinner plate, the flower bouquet on our table, the naturally scented body lotion, or partaking of nature through a daily walk or occasional hike constitutes a subconscious encounter with the natural world and keeps us engaged and connected to nature, the ultimate healer. When we bring consciousness to that relationship, we develop an even deeper association. One of the easiest encounters that we have throughout the day is that of breathing. This simple act takes place almost unconsciously and engages our symbiotic relationship with plants is the inhalation of what plants exhale. They breath in the carbon dioxide that we exhale, and we inhale their oxygen exhalations. Above all, when we like the scent of what we are inhaling (a fragrant flower, the damp earth, a pine forest, etc.), we take a deeper breath which slows down our nervous system and brings a sense of calm to the moment. Who can’t use more of that? Bringing awareness to this interdependent relationship keeps us engaged with the natural world; for me it brings an inexplicable gratitude to a simple breath and my lifelong career engaged with plants, healing and nature.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
More than four decades of experience in the natural products and health care industries make Mindy Green a genuine, national authority on botanicals. Her wellness-industry expertise is complemented by her active, longstanding licensure as an esthetician, herbalist and aromatherapist. She has taught clinical aromatherapy at the Boulder College of Massage Therapy, UC Boulder, U MN, Metro State College in Denver, and has taught for the University of Arizona’s Center for Integrative Medicine since 2008. Mindy has lectured internationally on holistic skin care, lifestyle, herbs and essential oils. She worked at the Aveda Corporation (2003-2009) in the botanical research division of R&D as their clinical aromatherapist, developing functional blends and providing training on essential oils and herbs, putting to use her extensive training in the advanced uses of essential oils from Purdue University. Mindy now runs her own consulting company, Green Scentsations, LLC. Prior to working at Aveda, she founded and owned several herb and essential oil businesses, Including Simpler’s Botanical Company. She specializes in botanical therapies, product development, and aromatherapy education. Mindy has served on the Cosmeceuticals Scientific Advisory Board for the Supply Side West trade show and conference (2008-2013), and as committee chair for Botanicals in Cosmetics for the American Herb Products Association (2008-2014). In 2012, she became a health coach certified by Wellcoaches®. Serving now on the Editorial Advisory Board for the publication, International Journal of Professional Holistic Aromatherapy, and the Program Advisory Committee for the American College of Healthcare Sciences, her former role as Program Specialist at the Integrative Resource Center of Anschutz Cancer Center at University of Colorado Hospital is indicative of Mindy’s dedication to, and leadership in wellness and healthcare. From 1995 to 2001 she served as Director of Education and later, Director of Research for the nonprofit medical library, the Herb Research Foundation in Boulder. Mindy is a founding and professional member of the American Herbalists Guild and an advisory board member to the American Botanical Council, publisher of HerbalGram Magazine. Ms. Green served on the faculty of the Rocky Mountain Center for Botanical Studies (1995- 2003). The California School of Herbal Studies is among Mindy’s business ventures as co-owner and faculty member (1985-1995). She is a nationally certified Registered Aromatherapist and has served on the education committees of the National Association of Holistic Aromatherapists and the Aromatherapy Registration Council. A prolific writer and lecturer, Ms. Green has authored over 65 published articles on herbs, aromatherapy, skin care, holistic health and integrative care. She is co-author of Aromatherapy, A Complete Guide to the Healing Art; author of Calendula and Natural Perfumes, and has contributed to numerous books on herbs and healing, including two medical texts edited by Andrew Weil, MD. As a botanical-therapies expert, she has been interviewed more than 400 times by leading magazines and newspapers. A long-time environmental activist, Mindy served as a board member for the non-profit organization, United Plant Savers (2004-2010), and believes plants in all their forms create healing, globally and individually.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Living in Boulder, I take my guests to multiple hiking trails around us, the Boulder Creek path, the Dushanbe Tea House, The Chatauqua Dining Hall, and any smoothie joint such as Wonder. Rocky Mountain National Park is nearby with endless trails to hike, see and marvel at/with.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have many people to thank for mentoring me along my path. Here are just a few: Rosemary Gladstar, Mark Blumenthal, Kurt Schnaubelt, Tieraona Lowdog, Pam Montgomery, Kathi Keville, Jane Bothwell, Brigitte Mars, Connie Grauds, and many more.

Website: www.greenscentsations.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindy913

Image Credits
Richard Cummings