Kristen Funk, RHT, Dip. Phyt.
Medical Herbalist
Kristen is a Medical Herbalist registered with the Canadian Herbalist's Association of BC since 2017. She underwent four years of training at the Pacific Rim College, on unceded Lekwungen territories (Victoria, BC). She received her Diploma of Phytotherapy, has independently studied various models of traditional medicine, including Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine, and has a grounded understanding of nutritional health.
She grew up in the Cariboo-Chilcotin region of BC, where she spent her days on the lake and in the woods. Growing up she dabbled in music and art and found joy in all things creative. It was in her early 20's that she recognized a stronger pull to learn about and reconnect with the natural world. Curious about both traditional understandings and our growing modern knowledge of the human body, she began to pursue an education in health. Her 2130 hours of training included an in depth study into the workings of plants on both a holistic and biochemical level, human physiology, pathology, and therapeutics, as well as 510 hours of clinical practice under qualified and renowned herbalists. During her education, she traveled to Ometepe, Nicaragua, where she worked for a short time with Natural Doctors International (NDI) in a not-for-profit public clinic, exposing her to a variety of different health concerns and treatments.
As a practitioner, Kristen values empowerment of her clients in their own healing journeys, and inclusivity and accessibility at all levels. This includes non-judgment and flexibility. She strives to erase the notion of non-conventional medicines being available only to the wealthy, and bring herbs, a medicine of the people, back to the people. As well as fairness to her clients, she values fairness to the plants, and upholds sustainable harvesting and sourcing practices for all her medicines.
She grew up in the Cariboo-Chilcotin region of BC, where she spent her days on the lake and in the woods. Growing up she dabbled in music and art and found joy in all things creative. It was in her early 20's that she recognized a stronger pull to learn about and reconnect with the natural world. Curious about both traditional understandings and our growing modern knowledge of the human body, she began to pursue an education in health. Her 2130 hours of training included an in depth study into the workings of plants on both a holistic and biochemical level, human physiology, pathology, and therapeutics, as well as 510 hours of clinical practice under qualified and renowned herbalists. During her education, she traveled to Ometepe, Nicaragua, where she worked for a short time with Natural Doctors International (NDI) in a not-for-profit public clinic, exposing her to a variety of different health concerns and treatments.
As a practitioner, Kristen values empowerment of her clients in their own healing journeys, and inclusivity and accessibility at all levels. This includes non-judgment and flexibility. She strives to erase the notion of non-conventional medicines being available only to the wealthy, and bring herbs, a medicine of the people, back to the people. As well as fairness to her clients, she values fairness to the plants, and upholds sustainable harvesting and sourcing practices for all her medicines.
Qualifications
Diploma of Phytotherapy - Pacific Rim College, 2017
- 500+ hours clinical practice training
-750+ hours therapeutic and medical education
-500+hours biomedical sciences
Professional Member - Canadian Herbalist's Association of BC since 2017
Mainly works with:
Aging gracefully
Digestive health
Low energy
Diabetes and metabolic syndrome
Menstrual health
Stress and anxiety
Diploma of Phytotherapy - Pacific Rim College, 2017
- 500+ hours clinical practice training
-750+ hours therapeutic and medical education
-500+hours biomedical sciences
Professional Member - Canadian Herbalist's Association of BC since 2017
Mainly works with:
Aging gracefully
Digestive health
Low energy
Diabetes and metabolic syndrome
Menstrual health
Stress and anxiety