Mimi Hernandez MS, RH (AHG)
Mimi Hernandez, MS, RH (AHG), is not only an herbalist, an ethnobotanist, and a vital pillar of the American herbalist community, but also a prominent alumna of the Maryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH) herbal medicine program. As the Executive Director of the American Herbalists Guild (AHG) and the 2023 recipient of the American Botanical Council’s (ABC) Mark Blumenthal Herbal Community Builder Award, Mimi is a testament to the power of comprehensive education, training, and respect for various cultures.
Mimi holds a Master’s in Herbalism from the Tai Sophia Institute, now known as the Maryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH). She was mentored by renowned ethnobotanist James A. Duke, PhD, and other acclaimed herbalists, including Kevin Spelman, PhD, James Snow, DCN, RH, and Simon Mills, FCPP, FNIMH. Mimi’s stand-out approach to herbalism is influenced by the tradition of curanderismo, Latin American folk herbalism, and her Colombian and Mexican heritage.
Mimi is actively involved in various initiatives to support and preserve the natural environment. She facilitates the AHG’s Sanctuary Dreamers Meetups, events designed to provide support and tools for those wishing to join the United Plant Savers Botanical Sanctuary Network. Moreover, she stewards the PonderLand native plant sanctuary in Polk County, North Carolina. Mimi is also the author of the upcoming National Geographic Herbal, highlighting herbal medicine traditions from around the world, including traditional Chinese medicine, India’s Ayurvedic system, Latin American curanderismo, and Gullah Geechee practices.
Since 2013, Mimi has served as the executive director of AHG, an organization founded in 1989 to promote clinical herbalism as a viable profession rooted in ethics, competency, diversity, and freedom of practice. She aims to promote understanding among people with different backgrounds and experiences while maintaining and stewarding native plants in the United States.
For Mimi, building healthy relationships with people is inextricably linked with building and preserving the natural environment. Through her work, she continues to express her commitment to building communities that foster trust, amplify reverence for plant traditions, and practice awareness and ethics towards healthy plant communities.
In summary, Mimi Hernandez is a dedicated and respected figure in the herbal community. With a strong academic background, a deep connection to her heritage, and a commitment to serving others, she embodies the principles of holistic healing and integrative medicine. Mimi’s work continues to inspire and educate others on the benefits of herbal medicine and the importance of preserving our natural heritage.