Feb. 23--Mountain View High School students in Introduction to Health and Medical Sciences will receive an unorthodox lesson today.
JoAnna Cassidy-Farrell, who runs Keep It Green Herbal Consultations in Stafford County, said she'll talk with students about natural methods to "guide the person into healing."
That includes iridology -- inspecting a person's iris to determine health problems -- and aromatherapy.
"I really think it's fascinating that natural medicine has moved into the schools," she said. She is a certified master herbalist, horticulturist, and natural health care professional.
In May, she'll be visiting Grafton Village Elementary School -- dressed as a colonial herbalist -- and explaining modern medicine's relationship to plants.
"I'm excited about the fact that kids are educated on alternative medicine because healthcare is terrible," she said. "We've got to let nature be our HMO."
Mountain View teacher Sherry Pemberton, who invited Cassidy-Farrell to her class for the fourth year, said students are mixed about natural methods.
"I think it's important that the kids know doctors are going back to school to learn about complementary medicine," she said.
Pemberton said some students think of Cassidy-Farrell as a "witch doctor," but others are what she calls "true believers."
"I'm just trying to get the word out that their are alternative choices," Cassidy-Farrell said.
Jeff Branscome: 540/374-5402
Email: jbranscome@freelancestar.com
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