Ep. 393: Medicinal Herbs, Spices, and Essential Oils of the Caribbean Forests with Dr. Eugene Zamperion, ND, RH(AHG), Ethnobotanical Researcher

 
 
 

Dr. Eugene Zampieron earned a B.S. in Biological and Marine Sciences from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, minoring in Science & Technology. He began to engage in masters’ level course work in marine invertebrate zoology, but his field research in Jamaica, WI changed his life and career path after recovering from an illness using ancient, herbal medicine. Due to his awe for the power of plant medicine, in 1990, he pursued his Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (N.D.) degree at the acclaimed Bastyr University. In addition, he became a Professional Registered Medical Herbalist/Phytotherapist and Ethnobotanist with expertise in tropical and Northeastern medical botany. 

As an esteemed global authority in the areas of natural medicine and natural healing, Dr. “Z”, as he’s affectionally referred to by his students and audiences, has appeared on numerous radio shows, news segments, and television episodes. He has authored over 1000 media resources and articles, contributes to various health columns, and hosts several radio shows. In fact, you can hear Dr. Z’s voice on Natural Alternatives Health Radio (alternating Fridays 6-7PM EST), The Natural House Call (alternating Sundays 8-9 AM EST), and The Natural Nurse and Dr. Z (Tuesdays at 10 AM EST). In addition, Dr. Z has published several books. These include An Alternative Medicine Definitive Guide to Arthritis, The Natural Medicine Chest, and Supplements for Pain. Dr. Z’s vast experience and intelligence has also made him an invaluable consultant to the nutritional and herbal industry. He even developed his own line of botanical products for the consumer and has been a presenter at major national expos. 

In 1996, Dr. Z served on the founding advisory board to the University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine (UBCNM), the first accredited naturopathic medical college on the US Eastern seaboard in 100 years. There he taught courses in naturopathic and botanical medicine including rheumatology and natural pain management, phyto-pharmacognosy, medical botany, botanical pharmacy, and clinical forum. Before retiring, he succeeded in teaching and sculpting the brains of hundreds of naturopathic doctors and physicians internationally with his encyclopedic knowledge of plants and science-based natural medicine wisdom. His illustrious brain, exuberant personality, contagious passion for plants, and endearing compassion has made him beloved by his students and the naturopathic profession as a whole. Among his many accolades, he was named one of the best and most innovative Naturopathic Doctors in 2016 by the Canadian Naturopathic Doctors Development Center. He also won the national natural leader NMSA beacon award, and the DOCERE award in 2021 from the Connecticut Association of Naturopathic Physicians. 

From national herb walks to leading adventures and ecologically based tours into rainforests around the world with EcoTours for Cures TM, Dr. Z continues to lecture around the globe teaching people about plants and natural medicine. He also currently has a private practice in Woodbury, CT, where he specializes in the care of patients with autoimmune disorders, chronic illnesses, and decoding challenging medical mysteries. Dr. Z’s care stresses “quality, detail-oriented time with patients” where he literally personifies the definition of doctor as teacher. What is perhaps most impressive about Dr. Z is that his genius matches his big heart and infinite desire to spread his knowledge for the betterment of mankind and the planet. As of today, he already has succeeded in his mission of providing evidence of the power of natural healing on an individual and international level. Dr. Z resides with his wife Kathleen and his two children, Caitlin and Kevin, on a 10-acre woodlands sanctuary in historic Litchfield County, CT. You can find Dr. Z at http://www.drznaturally.com/. 

 

 

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What You Will Learn:

  • Why it’s important to understand the traditional use of plants and herbs.

  • What shamanic medicine is and why it should be respected.

  • The importance of the study of ethnobotany in keeping alive traditional people’s botanical and cultural knowledge, spiritual heritage, and reverence for the earth.

  • Dr. Z’s journey into ethnobotany and how that led him to also pursue his expertise in naturopathic and botanical medicine and herbalism.

  • How Dr. Z combines his apprenticeship with Shamans in Jamaica with his research and clinical experience to keep alive their customs and document their insights. 

  • The intelligence of plants.

  • How modern herbalists, like Dr. Z, are validating the teachings of ancient herbalists and physicians through their research analysis of plants’ biochemical properties, compounds, and their standardization.

  • What the doctrine of signatures is and what it reveals about plants.

  • Some of Dr. Z’s favorite plants and essential oils from Jamaica and their actions including allspice oil, clove oil, bitter melon, Jamaican dogwood, ginger herb and oil, rosemary herb and oil, Guinea Hen Weed, and Lignum vitatae.

  • How essential oils are extracted in Jamaica using modern distillation and rudimentary methods.

  • Combining essential oils and other herbs for synergistic effects, such as cinnamon oil with bitter melon for balancing blood sugar.

  • How natural remedies do not just suppress symptoms, rather, they aim to correct the underlying imbalance as they offer “side benefits.”

  • The importance of using herbs that are not endangered and aligning with companies that practice environmental sustainability.  

  • Why “weed” is a bad word and how all plants possess medicinal properties. 

  • Dr. Z’s favorite DIY with essential oils. 

  • The closing questions: (1) What Dr. Z does daily for self-care and why everyone should consider it, (2) What we should do to better our own health and reconnect with the planet. 

You can find Dr. Z at http://www.drznaturally.com/. 

Dive deeper:

Links to Learn More About Dr. Zamperion and His Offerings:


Peer Reviewed Papers and Presentations by Dr. Zamperion:


Dr. Z’s Radio Shows:


Books by Dr. Z:


Previous Episode with Dr. Z on The Essential Oil Revolution:

 

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