About David Crow

David Crow has had a life-long interest in natural medicine, indigenous ethnobotanical knowledge, and botanical alchemy. His interests have taken him to Asia numerous times in search of teachings from traditional healing systems. Floracopeia grew out of these journeys and studies.

David Crow graduated from the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 1984, and began his clinical practice of acupuncture and herbology. In 1987, his interest in Ayurvedic and Tibetan medicine took him to Nepal, where he began a series of internships with traditional doctors in Kathmandu. The story of these journeys and the teachings he received became In Search of the Medicine Buddha, published by Tarcher-Putnam in 2000.

During his studies in the Himalayas, Mr. Crow became aware of the widespread ecological destruction taking place in that part of the world, and the loss of medicinal plants on which the ancient medical systems depended. At the same time, he began to understand how medicinal plants were the key to solving numerous interrelated global problems: lack of healthcare, poverty, environmental destruction, and loss of ethnobotanical knowledge. Floracopeia was established to help preserve and promote the use of botanical medicines as solutions to these growing problems.

Through writing, teaching, and activism, David Crow is promoting the creation of a grassroots healthcare system based on community gardens. He is a co-founder of The Learning Garden at Venice High School in Los Angeles. This garden has quickly become one of the country's largest and most successful school gardens.

Information on classes that include The Learning Garden
Visit The Learning Garden web site and plant database

During the last five years, David Crow has presented his vision of grassroots healthcare, preservation of botanical medicines, and the use of plants for ecological restoration to hundreds of audiences, ranging from small private groups to conferences and lecture halls, to a panel discussion with the Dalai Lama broadcast internationally to millions of viewers. He has given numerous keynote speeches, taught at conferences and colleges of naturopathic, Chinese, and Ayurvedic medicine, and been interviewed on numerous radio programs. His articles and excerpts from his book have been published in several magazines, and In Search of the Medicine Buddha has been translated in three foreign editions.

Floracopeia grew out of Mr. Crow's ongoing lectures, workshops, and meditation retreats around the country, where thousands of people have been introduced to these aromatic treasures and the story behind them.

David Crow is an acupuncturist and herbalist with over twenty years experience. He has integrated Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine to create a gentle yet powerful series of treatments that he uses in clinical practice. These treatments incorporate many aromatic herbs, essential oils, and attars: massage with medicated and scented oils, aromatherapy steam, and attars combined with shirodhara and acupuncture. Floracopeia grew out of the healing benefits and patients' appreciation that these fragrant medicines produced.

David Crow has studied, practiced, and taught meditation and contemplative methods for many years. During clinic treatments he guides patients in specific meditations for healing, relaxation, and immune enhancement. The primary meditation practice that Mr. Crow teaches is an integration of Vipassana (mindfulness and insight) and Ayurvedic philosophy, with an emphasis on realizing the biological interrelatedness between the body and the environment. In some classes he also utilizes Floracopeia essential oils, attars, and hydrosols to enhance concentration and meditative absorption.

Complete listing of educational events and events schedule

For a detailed list of past venues where David Crow has taught, download this file.
[PDF, 36K]