Hildegard von Bingen coined the term Viriditas to describe the life-force (Vis), which not only heals like green herbs but also directs, balances and harmonizes all living things.
Our business practices are based on the principles of Medical Herbalism and Naturopathy.
We work within a holistic model of health using therapies that integrate ancient healing wisdom with modern evidence based science.
We produce our medicines that are a part of the healing process.
We believe holistic health and integrated medicine require the healing of the person within their own physical body integrating their mental, emotional & spiritual bodies. Personal holistic healing includes being integrated into society so that no one is a stranger, neither isolated nor alienated.
The virtue of Viriditas introduces & reconnects one to the Way of Nature.
Viriditas is administered by the beings & energies of nature, all of creation and the Creator.
We work within a holistic model of health using therapies that integrate ancient healing wisdom with modern evidence based science.
As a small child growing up in Toronto, Susan often picked rosebuds and put them into yogurt containers filled with water. She would take spoonfuls of the water, hold them up to her family and say “take your medicine.” Little did Susan know that, 30 years later, her path in life would lead her to meet John and Viriditas.
Susan’s interest in plants and gardening never waned and, in 2003, she felt the herbs call her. Susan began to seriously investigate a vocation in herbal medicine. She found a flyer for a course that John offered: “Everything Your Grandmother Should Have Taught You.” When Susan read the name John Redden, something inside her knew that she was on the right path. She immediately registered for the course. Wanting to further pursue her education under John, Susan applied for the next course, The Advanced Course in Medical Herbalism. What followed was an apprenticeship with John and, ultimately, destiny took over. In May 2004, under the cherry blossoms at High Park, John & Susan slowly fell in love. It was divine providence that led her here. John said “You never know who is going to walk through your door. Your life may change forever.” For John & Susan, it did. Susan found a place & purpose at Viriditas, with John, serving humanity through herbal medicine and the healing power of nature.
Once Susan arrived, John realized that she was what he needed for Viriditas to grow and flourish. John and Susan were partners for 17 years in both their personal and professional lives until his passing in 2021. A part of John will always be with Susan and with Viriditas. John’s vision of Viriditas will live on and we will continue to evolve through the legacy of his teachings.
Viriditas tinctures are made by hand in small, controlled batches using organically cultivated or ethically wild crafted herbs, some of which are grown in our own teaching garden. In addition to the singles listed in the catalogue, we also produce a number of excellent combinations and, will compound custom remedies to your specifications that meet the needs of your clients.
Our Hydrastis canadensis, Chamaelirium luteum and Cimicifuga racemosa are organically grown and not wildcrafted.
All of our tinctures are 1:5 prepared according to specifications set out in:
Tinctures are extracted in pure reverse-osmosis water, using pure grain alcohol (gluten-free), with the addition of organic apple cider vinegar or vegetable glycerine as adjunct solvents when required. We are a nut-free environment.
Detailed information is available at your request regarding weight ratios, dosages and dispensing, botanical safety, monographs and sources of ingredients.
Education comes from the latin Ex Ducare, which means to lead out from.
Learning is finding out what you already know. Our herbal education reveals that you are intrinsically in harmony with nature.
Doing is demonstrating that you know it. You will participate in demonstrations of practical herbal skills & crafts.
Teaching is showing others that they know just as well as you do. The skills you learn will become a part of your family heritage when you teach your family, friends & patients (the things that your grandmother should have taught you, and if she did, then you are fortunate).
We work within a holistic model of health using therapies that integrate ancient healing wisdom with modern evidence based science.
Every person has the innate capacity to heal. There is an inherent self-organizing and healing process present in all living systems that establishes, maintains and restores health. Our role is to facilitate and augment the inherent self-healing processes by identifying & removing obstacles to health and by supporting the creation of a healthy internal & external environment.
By working closely together with our patients we tailor comprehensive, personalized treatment plans to assist in restoring the body to a natural state of health where it can respond with vitality & resilience.
