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Meet the Team

Living Earth Herbs is a community apothecary and retail store owned by herbalist Michele Sanger in downtown Bellingham, Washington since 2008. An “apothecary” is a person or place where medicines are made and sold.

The primary goal of Living Earth Herbs is to custom formulate quality herbal medicines to serve the needs of our local community and beyond.

Additionally, Living Earth Herbs wholesales a selection of our products; we sell online, and we proudly support other local businesses by carrying a lovely selection of locally made gifts too!


Michele Sanger
Owner, Herbalist, Flower Essence Practitioner

Michele graduated from the University of California Santa Cruz (BA, Anthropology/Gender Studies) and went on to study Herbalism with Howie Brounstein (Columbines School of Botanical Studies in Eugene, OR); Adam Seller (Pacific School of Herbal Medicine in Oakland, CA); Cascade Anderson Geller (Portland, OR); Paul Bergner (North American Institute of Medical Herbalism in Boulder, CO); and Flower Essences with Diana Pepper (Tree Frog Farm, Bellingham, WA). Additionally, she has spent hundreds of hours at Herbal Conferences for the purpose of continuing education.

Some of her other favorite herbal voices are Michael Moore, Christopher Hobbs, Aviva Romm, and David Winston.

She is a member of the American Herbalists Guild and offers Herbal and Flower Essence Consultations.

Favorite Living Earth Herbs (LEH) products: Super Healing Skin Salve, Wound Liniment, Herbal Digestive Bitters


Sonia Wollin
Herbalist, Flower Essence Practitioner, Health & Wellness Coach

Sonia graduated from Western Washington University (BA, Cultural Health), studied Herbalism with Suzanne Tabert (Cedar Mountain Herb School) and Michele Sanger (Living Earth Herbs), and Flower Essences with Diana Pepper (Tree Frog Farm, Bellingham, WA). Sonia has also received a graduate degree in Health and Wellness Coaching from the Maryland University of Integrative Health.

Each year, Sonia enjoys harvesting the St. John’s Wort that goes into our St. John’s Wort Infused Oil and Trauma Balm, and our native WA blue Elderberries for the Elderberry Elixir.

Some of her favorite herbal teachers are David Crow, Rosalee de la Foret, and David Winston.

She is a member of the American Herbalists Guild and offers Herbal and Flower Essence Consultations.

Favorite LEH products: Brain Boost Tea, Beautiful Skin Face Oil, AntiViral Throat Spray

Check out Sonia’s website!


Amber Bell
Herbalist, Mushroom Forager

Amber graduated from the University of Pittsburgh (BA, Architectural Studies). Amber has studied with Michele Sanger (Living Earth Herbs) and has spent countless hours wildcrafting and mushroom foraging.

Calendula, Chickweed, and Yarrow are among the botanicals that she has grown and harvested for the shop over the years.

Favorite LEH products: Anti-Itch Salve, Headache Relief Essential Oil blend, Cold Sore Lip Balm, Anti-Inflammatory Tea


Arielle Stein
Herbalist, Certified in Holistic Nutrition

Arielle graduated from the University of Colorado (BA, Environmental Conservation) and Western Washington University (MS, Environmental Studies).

Arielle has studied herbalism with Michele Sanger (Living Earth Herbs), Suzanne Tabert (Cedar Mountain Herb School), and Leslie Lekos (Wildroot Botanicals). She has also studied with Jim Ehmke (Licensed Nutritionist), and has recently been Certified in Holistic Nutrition by Energetic Health Institute and will soon be offering Consultations in nutrition.

Arielle enjoys harvesting the Cottonwood buds that go into our Cottonwood Bud Infused Oil and Super Healing Skin Salve.

Favorite LEH products: Licorice Spice Tea, Detox Tea


Rachel Silves
Herbalist, Aromatherapist, Health Coach

Rachel graduated from Western Washington University (BA, Community Health) and Texas Tech (MA, Rehabilitation Counseling). Rachel has studied Herbalism with Michele Sanger (Living Earth Herbs) and Katolen Yardley in British Columbia, Canada (Alchemy and Elixir);, and has completed Certified Level 1 Aromatherapist through the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA).

Some of her favorite teachers are Aviva Romm, Paul Bergner, Jade Shutes, and Jesse Hawkins.

She is a member of the American Herbalists Guild and offers Herbal and Aromatherapy Consultations.

Favorite LEH products: Super Healing Skin Salve, All the LEH Teas!


Heather Qualey
Bookkeeper

Heather graduated from Woodbury University (BS, Finance). Heather is Michele’s sister and the general wrangler of all things mathematical in the shop.

Favorite LEH products: Protect Thyself Essential Oil Blend, Bug Off, Super Healing Skin Salve


Penny Schuman
Michele’s Mom helps out at the shop too

Besides having a “very green thumb,” Penny was Michele’s first teacher who shared her love for plants and flowers, and the joy of being with them. Penny enjoys bringing in calendula and mullein flowers from her garden each year for our Ear Ache Oil and Calendula Infused Oil.

Favorite Living Earth Herbs Apothecary products: Anti Viral Throat Spray, Protect Thyself! Essential Oil Blend (Mom says, “I won’t leave home without them!”)