Irene

Irene Lewis, Herbalist & Proprietor

Irene was sparked into herbalism when she was taking classes on natural resources at Columbia J.R. College, located in the foothills of the Sierra Mountains in 1987. When her teacher would casually mention some of the uses of plants by the local Native Americans while the class was out in the field studying, Irene was intrigued.

She began reading books, and taking classes on herbalism and aromatherapy. Irene has become a sponge that is never fully saturated. She has spent more than 20 years soaking up all the information she can about wild weeds, natural healing and aromatherapy.

In 1990 she founded a business known as Irene’s Dream Simply Herbal. She created herbal soaps, lotions, salves and creams under her own label and also as private labels, for other companies. Her products have sold nationwide. They have also traveled the globe, and Irene has vicariously traveled along with them.

Moonrise Herbs was one of the first stores to carry Irene’s products. In 1997 Irene became a staff herbalist at Moonrise and worked two days a week sharing her knowledge and teaching classes on a variety of subjects.

In 2004 Irene became the proprietor of Moonrise Herbs. She still teaches classes and is available for private consultations. Irene also still finds the time to create and sell her well-loved comfrey balm.

Raquel

Raquel Nelson, General Manager/Web Manager/Buyer

Raquel began her herbal journey relatively late in life. She has had a lifelong interest in the natural modalities of healing but it in 2008, she had the marvelous good fortune to attain the assistant bookkeeper position here at Moonrise Herbs and there began her herbal education in earnest.

Formally, she has taken Jane Bothwell’s Beginning with Herbs and graduated from Jane’s 10-Month Herbal Intensive in 2010 and was blessed to have been able to work with Jane at Dandelion Herbal Center for over a decade. Since her initial herbal courses, she has had the great fortune to take classes and workshops with a myriad of noted herbalists, including Rosemary Gladstar, Mindy Green, Pam Montgomery, Karen Uphoff and Kevin Spelman...and more!

Informally, she views every single day as an opportunity to learn more and more about herbs, formulations, nutrition and energetic healing…just to name a few. She is so thankful for every Moonrise customer for asking all those wonderful and challenging questions that continue to further this great journey of knowledge!

Raquel has lived in Humboldt County almost her whole life and couldn’t ask for a better place to call home! She spends her tiny slice of free time with her partner, Mike, playing with her cats, Mer & Dax, and reading as much as she can. .

Arika

Arika Schroeder, Herbalist/Customer Service Specialist

Arika began walking the path of plants around 2014 when she became aware of Jane Bothwell & Dandelion Herbal Center. Since then, she has participated in the Beginning with Herbs program, the 10-Month Herbal Studies Program and the Herbal Clinic course, as well as the Shamanic Herbalism program. From 2016 - present, she has assisted Jane in many of her herbal programs.

When she is not studying, Arika enjoys spending her time with her magical wolf Tracker. Spending conscientious and intentional moments with friends and family, soaking up as much sun as possible, sharing space with the natural world, cooking delicious meals, and simply enjoying being alive.

With a great deal of focus on the human being living an actualized and well life, she loves to serve her community, friends, and family and is honored to be part of the Moonrise team!

Danny

Danny Davis, Herbalist/Customer Service Specialist

Danny Davis grew up in Humboldt County which, over the years, instilled a great love for the outdoors, natural places, the environment, and the communities that center themselves around those things. After living in the beautiful Southwest, going to college, and working in outdoor adventure education for about 7 years, Danny moved back to Arcata. They have been excited to focus on slowing down, studying herbalism, being outdoors, dancing, gardening, going on adventures, and spending time with loved ones. After taking a Beginning with Herbs class and the 10-Month Herbal Studies class with Dandelion Herbal Center, Danny is more inspired than ever to continue immersing in plant medicine and furthering their education in this field! Danny is honored to work at Moonrise Herbs and has hopes of having a positive impact helping the community and promoting holistic self-care and personal healing. Although relatively new to their herbal journey, Danny sincerely wants to continue learning from and growing with the plants.

Staff at Moonrise