John Redden was a Western Medical Herbalist with an eclectic background. He had over thirty-five years of experience growing and wild-crafting herbs, manufacturing remedies, teaching, and clinical practice. A hands-on teacher of numerous aspects of holistic herbal medicine, John offered popular and advanced classes in his workshop/laboratory, and advanced herbal education at OAND, CAND and CE conferences. He also enjoyed collaborating with Naturopathic Doctors (ND) to produce patientspecific remedies extemporaneously, and had become effective in treating patients with complex medical conditions including cancer. In the late 1970’s John spent about a year at Findhorn in Forres, Morayshire, Scotland, where he awakened and began an ongoing dialogue with the life-beings and light-beings of creation. The lifeforce (Vis) was no longer a theoretical “Gaia hypothesis” but became a living reality. This inner understanding and relationship with Nature has informed all of his herbal practice and resulted in the founding of Viriditas Herbal Products Ltd., whose clients included professional herbalists, naturopaths, and medical doctors.

The business name “Viriditas” comes from a Medieval Latin compound word that loosely translates as “The Power of Green.” Hildegard von Bingen coined the term to describe the life-force (Vis), which not only heals through green herbs but also directs, balances and harmonizes all living things. Viriditas Herbal Products Ltd. manufactures herbal tinctures and salves that respectfully transmit the healing power of green from the plants of the Earth to the user.

John’s mission was to share his knowledge and knowing with those who were receptive to this understanding. He was determined to share with as many people as possible. This meant that he spent many evenings teaching classes.

Susan, one of his students, was particularly interesting to him, and at her request, became his apprentice. Soon he realized that she was not only drawn to herbs, but also to him. In a fairly short time, it was evident that they were in love. They worked side by side at Viriditas. Susan ensured that John was able to focus on herbs and teaching, not only training her, but also numerous apprentices, NDs, and Herbalists.

On a personal level, John was avidly interested in the history of Sciences; especially medicine, gardening, Gregorian chant and wild-crafting in nature. He had been studying and practicing meditation for over forty years and had been a vegetarian for over thirty-five years. Among many notable professional accomplishments; John was a founding member and former vice-president of the Ontario Herbalists Association, and a co-founder of “A Celebration of Herbs”, Toronto’s largest herbal event. He was also a member of the professional advisory board for the Ontario Ginseng Growers Association, a founding author of the Canadian General Standards Board on Organic Agriculture, and a 2015 recipient of the Herbal Elder of Canada. John and Viriditas Herbal products are inseparable. Though John’s physical form is no longer with us, his overlaying presence with Viriditas, evidenced by the superior practices and preparations that he established.