About Frank Cook
(Click here for academic qualifications)Over the last fifteen years Cook’s passion for being a repository of plant knowledge has grown steadily. He has studied with Herbalists, Shamen, Vaidyas, Sangomas, Green Witches, Doctors, Professors, Medicine Men. . . ..around the world. They have initiated him into many ways of walking with plants. More and more there are opportunities to share what he has learned at workshops, schools, conferences, and gatherings of all types.
As an extensive traveler he has developed a deep-rooted network of people whose lives are consciously intermingled with plants, healing, and ways to create a better world. He makes a wide range of foods and medicines to share with his family, friends and community. He leads a simple life communicating, teaching, reflecting, and spending a lot of time in the forests and gardens delving deeper into the mysteries of the plant kingdom and our place in the web of life.
During the last decade Cook has had the honor of learning from and teaching with a wide range of well-known and respected plant teachers. Some of them include: Dr. James Duke, 7Song, Doug Elliott, Alan “Mushroom” Muskat , Juliet Blankespoor, , Greenlight, Chuck Marsh, Daniel Nicholson, and John Olmstead. He has been a teacher at the Appalachia School of Holistic Herbalism in Asheville, NC these past six years. Contact information for references are available upon request.
Cooks’ journeys of researching, writing and teaching have taken him to:
Peru and Ecuador : Four journeys
2006: During this three-week trip to Peru, Cook facilitated a group of 13 to the Amazon Basin. They were accompanied by the world famous 77-year-old James Duke as well as shared experiences from this talented group of travelers. Ten of them continued on to the Andes for adventures around Cusco and the Sacred Valley.
2005: Cook led a group through Peru for a month going deeper with the experiences and questions of earlier journeys.
2002: Cook traveled again to Peru to research deeper the flora and healing ways there. A small group accompanied him and were able to relive many of his memorable experiences from his earlier trip.
1999: Cook traveled about Ecuador and Peru for three months. Studied with Shamen and other healers. Wrote a cross-cultural paper at Jutan Sacha Biological Station, Bilsa, Ecuador comparing plant genera used there and abroad. Self-published an extensive report on what he learned on that journey.
Southern Africa: Two journeys
2006: Cook led a group for a month around southern Africa visiting the highlights from his earlier journey there. He then spent another month going deeper with his experiences there and working on his account of that region.
2002-2003: Over 5 months Cook journeyed through eight countries in southern Africa learning plant stories and healing ways.
India: Two journeys
2004: Cook led a small group of intrepid travelers focused on the plants and healers of Kerala collecting knowledge and experiences in this diverse state of India. They revisited many of his favorite areas from an earlier journey.
1997: Cook traveled throughout India and Nepal for nine months. Studied Ayurveda and other forms of traditional healing. Encountered hundreds of healing plants. Self-published an account of experiences gained there.
Australia and New Zealand: Most recent trip
2007: Cook traveled over two months around these countries. On this trip he felt a shift to global understanding as he met the flora of these two very different countries. He gathered data for the fourth plants and healers book.
Costa Rica: Two journeys
2006: The experience the previous year was so memorable they decided to offer it again. The group hiked trails from the mountain heights to the coast studying the flora and learning skills from the local peoples.
2005: Cook was one of the teachers on a fascinating journey from the high mountains down to the Pacific Ocean. They experienced together the flora of this country as well as explored together various healing ways and healthy living skills. This event was coordinated by the Diamante Verde Sanctuary (www.artofunion.com).
North America
Since 1992 Cook has traveled numerous times around this continent exploring the vast flora and ecosystems as well as cultures of the past and new ones rising. For the past four years in the autumn and spring he has lead three-day walks along the Appalachian Trail with groups of people sponsored by www.wildroots.org.
2002: Over three weeks Cook and a companion walked across California from the Pacific Ocean to Lake Tahoe--eating off the land and sleeping under the stars. Cook developed further his skills of living on the earth and connecting more deeply with this unique flora.
2001: Cook walked for a month from the Pamlico Sound at the North Carolina coast west to Max Patch on the border of Tennessee. This walk was a rite of passage as he made small fires each day and ate what he could from the land--really learning to appreciate wild teas and nibbling.
Cook see us quickly becoming one world. His central questions in this respect are: What plants will be in our global gardens and stories? What will our global healing system look like? What are the roles of the human species in the web of life?
Each of the cultures of the world has contributions. He intends to find out what they are and share these insights around the world remembering that we come from Gaia, Gaia does not come from us.
2007: Cook is currently pursuing a MSc in Holistic Science at Schumacher College, Dartington, Devonshire, England.
2006-2007: Cook became certified as a Permaculture Designer’s Certification after 10 years of working with permaculture principles and feeling it was time to receive accreditation for sharing that knowledge.
1995: Graduated from the Northeast School of Botanical Medicine as a Clinical Herbalist, Ithaca, New York.
1988-1992: Creative Writing Teacher at Durham Technical College and a manager at the Durham Food Co-op, North Carolina.
1985: B.S. Degrees with honors in Zoology and Computer Science from Duke University, North Carolina.
"I walk the green path achieving right-livelihood through donation. I appreciate your assistance in this. Give what you can; Receive what you need. But most importantly show up at some of these outings and reconnect with nature."
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Donations can also be sent to:
Frank Cook 11036 Weeping Willow Way Nevada City, CA 95959 USA green@plantsandhealers.com |
You can contact me any time at green@plantsandhealers.com. Thank you.
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