Living Museum of Herbal Wisdom / Visitor Informed Consent and Full Disclosure
The purpose of this document is to clearly describe the scope of practice of the Living Museum of Herbal Wisdom and Faith Hanna, and to ensure that no misunderstanding occurs between Faith Hanna, any of the teachers or instructors, and any visitor or student. Please read the statement below and sign to indicate your agreement with it.
California Senate Bill SB-577
California Senate Bill SB-577, signed by the governor in September 2002, has significant implications for the practice of alternative forms of health care in California. SB-577 enables alternative and complementary health care practitioners to provide and advertise their services legally, provided they comply with certain requirements specified within the bill.
Under SB-577, unlicensed alternative health care practitioners are NOT allowed to:
Perform any form of surgery or any procedure that punctures the skin or harmfully invades the body
Use X-ray radiation
Prescribe prescription drugs, or recommend that you discontinue drugs prescribed by a licensed physician
Set fractures
Treat wounds with electrotherapy
Put you at risk of great bodily harm, serious physical or mental illness, or death
Imply in any way that they are licensed physicians
In addition, an unlicensed alternative practitioner MUST:
Provide you with a statement, written in plain language, that includes: (1) that they are not a licensed physician and their services are not licensed by the state; (2) a brief, clear description of the services they provide and the reasoning behind them; and (3) a description of their education, training, and experience.
Ask you to sign an acknowledgement that you received the above written statement, provide you with a copy, and keep a copy of your signed acknowledgement for three years.
This document, including the practitioner background below, is intended to serve as that written statement.
Not a licensed physician
The State of California does not at this time license herbalists. Faith Hanna is not a medical doctor and does not claim to diagnose, treat, or cure any medical condition or pathology, nor to prescribe medicine, nor in any way represent herself as doing so. For any health condition, you are advised to seek care from an appropriate medical practitioner. Whether or not you choose to engage a medical practitioner for your care is your right, and the Living Museum of Herbal Wisdom and Faith Hanna assume no responsibility for your decision in this matter.
Practitioner background, training, and experience
SB-577 requires that you receive a description of the practitioner's education, training, and experience. Please complete this section before using the form.
Healing Practice/Philosophy
My practice is collaborative and holistic, and education-based. We will work together to sense what is best in your own body and what will facilitate your own innate ability to be better/heal. In a consultation we may/will likely cover diet and nutrition, exercise, relationships, medical history, family health, previous and current diagnosis and treatment, work, rest, and play. Subsequent sessions may involve being in the kitchen/cooking healthy meals, or brewing your own fermented drinks. We may spend time learning about growing plants, making medicine in the apothecary, or reading about remedies/healing traditions. I encourage a deep connection to the plant world, and reciprocity, including with the allies that we’ll be collaborating with. I also invite each client to seek out a team of healers and practices that feel healthy, sustainable, and right for their healing and wellbeing.
I am committed to keeping traditional and healing wisdom accessible. I have a sliding scale and am willing to work out agreements based on value exchange/reciprocity. Please feel free to discuss these with me.
Education and Experience
Much, but not all of my herbal teachers and plant education are described below:
2023 - Foundations Program at Berkeley Herbal Center - 300 hours of training in plant physiology, plant actions, biological identification, medicine making, herbal energetics, aromatherapy & flower essences
2024 - Apprenticeship with Anna Beauchemin - Founder of East Bay Herbals - 75 hours of training in herbal education, including medicine making, content creation, and event planning
2024 - Herbal First Aid Training with Wild Kin Botanicals
2023-2026 - Land restoration work with Friends of the Hillside in El Cerrito/Oakland area
2025 - Apprenticeship with The Botanical Bus, a bilingual, bicultural community of care providers and clients supporting Latine and Indigenous health sovereignty and healing justice in Sonoma County.
Management of herbal apothecary: pouring, explaining, and distributing formulas to clients
Leadership of group consults
Participation in opening and closing circles
Cooperation with clinic set up and break down
Education in herbal safety, formulation, mobile clinic operation, and clinical skills
2025 - Florist at Wildflower & Fern
2026 - Dry Room Apprentice with the Sonoma Herb Exchange:
Learned how to properly dry a variety of medicinal herbs, and how to properly track and store medicinal herbs for market.
Independent study in the practice of herbal medicine, including understanding how different traditions/cultures approach the craft
The services provided include herbal education, plant-based workshops, and general wellness information drawn from traditional and contemporary herbalism. These services are offered for educational purposes and are not a substitute for licensed medical care.
Workshop participation — additional acknowledgements
Allergies and sensitivities
Workshops involve handling herbs, plant materials, oils, and other natural ingredients. I understand that I am responsible for knowing my own allergies and sensitivities, for reviewing the ingredients used in any activity, and for declining to handle or use anything I may react to. I will inform the instructor of any relevant allergies before the workshop begins.
Products made in class
In some workshops I may make items such as teas, tinctures, salves, or other herbal preparations to take home. I understand that these are made by me for my own educational use. The Living Museum of Herbal Wisdom and Faith Hanna make no representation or guarantee that any item made in a workshop is safe, effective, or appropriate for me or any other person. I am solely responsible for how I store, use, apply, or consume anything I make, and for deciding whether to use it at all.
Pregnancy, medical conditions, and physical safety
Some herbs are not appropriate during pregnancy or nursing, or for people with certain medical conditions or who take certain medications. I understand that I am responsible for knowing my own health situation and for consulting my physician before using any herb if I am pregnant, nursing, managing a medical condition, or taking medication.
I also understand that hands-on workshops involve ordinary physical activity and the use of tools such as scissors, a press, and other equipment, and I agree to follow the instructor's safety guidance and to participate with reasonable care.
Age
Participants must be 18 years or older unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who also signs this form.
