Meet the Founder Tatum Andrews, RHN, RHP(NB)


Tatum Andrews is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist, Registered Herbal Practitioner, educator, herb cultivator, and lifelong student of the natural world. Her journey into herbalism has been shaped by personal experiences, a deepening relationship with plants, and a passion for sharing the wisdom of traditional herbal medicine.

Tatum's professional journey began in accounting, where she studied to become a Certified General Accountant (CGA) and spent over a decade working with companies involved in manufacturing natural health products. Her path took a meaningful turn when her son was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Wanting to better understand the role of nutrition in supporting health and well-being, she enrolled at the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition, graduating as a Registered Holistic Nutritionist (RHN). It was during these studies that her curiosity about herbal medicine began to grow, eventually leading her to teach the school's herbalism course.

Inspired to deepen her knowledge, Tatum completed the Practical Herbalist, Master Herbalist, and Clinical Herbalist programs through Wild Rose College. She has continued her education through Dominion Herbal College, the Evolutionary School of Herbalism, and studies with respected herbalists including Gail Faith Edwards, Colleen Emery, and many others. She believes that herbalism is a lifelong journey of learning, observing, and developing meaningful relationships with plants. Tatum is a Registered Herbal Practitioner with the Herbalist Association of New Brunswick (HANB), where she is a founding member and currently serves as President. She also serves on the Board of the Canadian Council of Herbalist Associations (CCHA) as Treasurer and Secretary, advocating for the recognition, preservation, and advancement of herbal medicine in Canada.

The Roots of Bear Roots Forest School Bear Roots Forest School grew from Tatum's belief that herbalism is more than the study of medicinal plants. It is a way of reconnecting with nature, understanding the interconnectedness of all living things, and learning to nourish ourselves, our communities, and the land.  

Tatum envisioned a school where students could explore herbalism beyond memorizing plant properties and actions. A place where they could develop an understanding of the human body, discover the importance of nutrition and lifestyle, learn to recognize the energetics of plants, and cultivate their own relationships with the natural world. The school embraces the understanding that there is no single path to wellness and that true holistic education considers the whole person — body, mind, spirit, and the environment in which we live. Through Bear Roots Forest School, Tatum hopes to inspire students to become thoughtful, knowledgeable, and compassionate herbalists who approach plant medicine with curiosity, respect, and a commitment to lifelong learning.  

Today, Tatum and her husband continue to steward Bear Roots Forest in New Brunswick, where her days are filled with growing and harvesting medicinal plants, wildcrafting, medicine making, teaching, and tending to the land. She also maintains a small clinical herbal practice, supporting individuals through a holistic approach to health, while still finding time for a little accounting on the side!

For Tatum, herbalism is not simply something she studies or teaches — it is something she lives. The forest is both her classroom and her teacher, continually reminding her that some of the most meaningful lessons come from slowing down, observing, and listening to the natural world. Her hope is that Bear Roots Forest School will help others find their own roots in herbalism, deepen their connection with plants, and carry the wisdom of plant medicine forward for generations to come.