FEATURING: Ellen Kamhi, Ph.D

Ellen Kamhi, Ph.D:
Businesswoman Making A Difference

Long Island is a treasure chest of interesting and exciting businesswomen. This month we are highlighting Ellen Kamhi, Ph.D., “The Natural Nurse.” Dr. Kamhi exemplifies a woman who lives life to the fullest, blending career, adventure and volunteerism. Dr. Kamhi is regarded as an expert on the medicinal use of herbs. She sponsors ongoing ethnobotanical tours to indigenous areas of the island of Jamaica to study and document plants used among maroon shamans. She has been featured on News 12, authored articles in the NY Times, and interviewed for the London Times. Her books include Cycles of Life (Herbs and Energy Techniques for the Stage of a Women’s Life), The Natural Guide to Great Sex and is co-author of The Natural Medicine Chest and Arthritis, The Alternative Medicine Guide.

Ellen do you live by a basic philosophy?

Truth in all things. The truth is often hidden and is not always obvious. For example, we hear a great deal about the war on cancer and we might want to support these organizations. When we look deeply, the same companies that manufacture pesticides and herbicides, also manufacture chemotherapy agents. . . so that would be a deeper truth.

Are there people that were catalysts in your life?

My 5th grade science teacher Mr. Treglia at Robbins Lane Elementary School in Syosset, NY. He was the first person that made me aware of environmental issues. My grandmother was an herbalist and tealeaf reader was a catalyst. She supported my early psychic abilities. She was a bellidancer and taught me from the age of two. Bellidancing has been a means of support for me as I traveled around the world. A woman could not set up a medical practice in many areas outside the U.S., but could dance for her dinner! Also, I studied and lived for years in underdeveloped and indigenous areas of Mexico with women who are call “cuanderos”. From these native shaman healers, I learned that energy, vibration and ritual are just as important as the chemicals found in natural herbs and food for healing.

Do you volunteer your time to worthy causes?

After my holistic practice expanded to over one hundred clients per week, I realized that this was as far as I could go. In order to share my information with a wider audience I decided to start radio shows, so that the information would be available free to anyone who wished to listen. All the radio shows and TV shows I have done and continue to do are all voluntary. Currently, I am involved with the Solar Fest Project, an organization that is bringing together sustainable living issues to Long Island. Visit www.nysolarfest.org.

Do you have advice for our women readers?

I believe the most important focus is self-care, especially with busy women. We have such tight schedules. Preparation of organic foods, daily exercise, as well as stress reduction, meditation / prayer are necessary to maintain a state of inner peace within a hectic world. Additionally, writing goals is incredibly important. Major goals and mini daily chore lists can help you move towards the realization of the larger goals.

What have you found rewarding in your career?

I had a totally organic farm where I raised all my own food from scratch and at the same time taught a course in desert ecology to Native American and Chicano students at a junior college in AZ. A combination of feeling close to the earth and learning as much from my students as I was able to teach them was extremely fulfilling. After 35 years of being a holistic practitioner, the most exciting part is seeing people get well after they commit themselves to self-care.

Ellen Kamhi, Ph.d website is www.naturalnurse.com

www.liwomen.com
May 2004