Eleonora van Nieuwenhoven

As a young girl I was already fascinated by nature. I looked for stones, shells and plants to collect. I playfully processed the plants into all kinds of soups and porridges.

 

I think that this is how almost every herbalist's phytotherapist started their love for the profession and perhaps you also recognize yourself in my story?

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My love for plants started to take a more serious shape around puberty. I had a balcony off my room in my parents' house where I grew lavender, rosemary and sage. I bought my first essential oil and became a member of the 'mind body spirit' magazine, which regularly contained herbal recipes for natural healing and care that I could then try out with my friends. I didn't want to go to domestic science school, as many girls my age chose. I chose the Agricultural Training Center where I could work with plants and animals and receive training in processing agricultural products. My favorite subjects were biology, physics and chemistry and processing of agricultural products. 

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I ultimately chose  for healthcare. Even then, I found the human body fascinating and I wanted to make an important contribution to society. I graduated in 2003 and started working in healthcare. On some points, regular care went directly against my principles. I missed the connection with nature in healthcare and the holistic view of healthcare provision. There is a medicine for almost every ailment, but why is the problem not being looked at more often? connection between the problem and healthy nutrition? 

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In 2005 I met my husband and he told me about someone he knew who had real herbal training and is now a herbalist. In 2007 I  started at Frigga's Korenbloem to become a 'herb professional'. A world opened up for me. After the first day of class on the way home, all I saw was the beauty of the plants I had met that day and I saw potentially medicinal plants everywhere that I initially mistook for weeds. When I graduated in 2009, I started giving workshops and courses to people who are as inspired by the plant world as I am. I noticed that it gave me a lot of energy. I also completed the HBO Basic Medical and Psychosocial Knowledge course for a solid foundation as a therapist.

 

The profession does not stand still and is constantly developing. I wanted more depth and went back to school at Herba Sanitas where I was trained in modern herbal medicine with a scientific approach. I learned to think and learn critically. I also follow various further training courses with colleagues from different fields (at home and abroad) to stay up-to-date.

 

By following various training courses, I am becoming more and more motivated to manifest my dream that I have had for a while; become a teacher of my own training course to inspire and motivate people to find and promote their way in the beautiful profession! 

I hope that I can inspire you to fully pursue this beautiful profession and open your eyes wide to the plant world.