Ryan Drum has a BSc in Chemical Technology and a PhD in Botany (Phycology) from Iowa State University. While a NATO Scholar, he did postdoctoral studies on Cell Biology using the Electron Microscope and Microcine at the Universities of Bonn, Germany and Leeds, England. For 10 years he taught Botany and related subjects at Universities (UMASS/Amherst, UCLA, WWU). He studied Herbal Medicine with Ella Birzneck, founder of Dominion Herbal College in British Columbia for 12 years, and taught at their summer seminars for 35 years. He has been an adjunct faculty at Bastyr University since 1984, and he lectures at major herbal conferences and herbal schools.
Dr. Drum is the author of over 30 scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals, the author of Electron Microscopy of Diatom Cells 1966, Springer Verlag, a 100-Plate Atlas, in print for 20 years, and a contributing author of two chapters in Planting the Future (Gladstar and Hirsch 2001) and a chapter in Fundamentals of Naturopathic Endocrinology, M. Friedman 2005.
The proud father of three wonderful children and two fantastic grandchildren, he lives in a rustic little hilltop cabin he built 30 years ago on a remote island, off the grid, without indoor plumbing or refrigeration. Ryan believes in true patient autonomy: the freedom and right to choose one's caregivers independent of their official certification.
Dr. Drum is the author of over 30 scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals, the author of Electron Microscopy of Diatom Cells 1966, Springer Verlag, a 100-Plate Atlas, in print for 20 years, and a contributing author of two chapters in Planting the Future (Gladstar and Hirsch 2001) and a chapter in Fundamentals of Naturopathic Endocrinology, M. Friedman 2005.
The proud father of three wonderful children and two fantastic grandchildren, he lives in a rustic little hilltop cabin he built 30 years ago on a remote island, off the grid, without indoor plumbing or refrigeration. Ryan believes in true patient autonomy: the freedom and right to choose one's caregivers independent of their official certification.
2019 Presentations by Ryan Drum
FRIDAY, AUGUST 23 ~ 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm in Classroom Building B
"Herbal Case Histories: Where There Were no Regular Medical Personnel"
For over 40 years there were usually no regular medical personnel on the small (4+ mi. sq.) isolated island where I live.As a consequence I was often the go-to person for many both acute and persistent health problems. Fortunately, in many cases herbal remedies and/or lifestyle changes advice resulted in pathology resolution.
In this class I will describe in detail cases where local (usually) plant remedies were used for successful outcomes.
Included will be: home childbirth, deep soft tissue lacerations, acute multiple bee sting poisoning, cartilaginous lumps, burning urine, nocturia, ED, solid and/or vascular hemorrhoids, Giardia, aggressive diarrhea, open weeping
topical sores, deeply embedded splinters, whooping cough, acute blood poisoning/phlebitis, chronic aching joints, first signs of colds or flu, intense pain, insomnia, etc.
SUNDAY MORNING INTENSIVE, AUGUST 25 ~ 6:00 am – 10:00 am
"Low Tide Beach and Shore Walk"
Wear your rubbers and enter the salt water realm of the Salish Sea. Puget Sound is the place where the ocean quietly and safely caresses the land. Plants and creatures both thrive on this protected margin between these worlds. When the tide retreats we have a brief opportunity to explore this mysterious place. Our guide is the world authority on the herbal significance of sea life.
2018 Presentations by Ryan Drum
FRIDAY, AUGUST 24 ~ 8:30 am - 10:30 am ~ (Meet Outside of Bachelor Officers' Quarters (BOQ) After Breakfast)
"Low Tide Beach and Shore Walk"
Wear your rubbers and enter the salt water realm of the Salish Sea. Puget Sound is the place where the ocean quietly and safely caresses the land. Plants and creatures both thrive on this protected margin between these worlds. When the tide retreats, we have a brief opportunity to explore this mysterious place. Our guide is the world authority on the herbal significance of sea life.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 24 ~ 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm in Classroom Building B
"Macro and Micro Hysteria:
Herbal Therapeutics Enhancement of the Wound Response"
Unless drugged, most of us have entered the world hysterically. In early life, seemingly minor wounds may elect an apparent hysterical response, often grossly disproportionate to the seriousness of the wound. I believe hysterical response is therapeutically positive for healing and that the immediate tissue wound response is tissue hysteria, often imprecise, excessive and wasteful: fever, loss of consciousness, swelling, pain, blood loss, temporary loss of sight, hearing, smell, taste and color vision. Sweating, apnea, choking, weeping, screaming, paralysis, prolonged bleeding, diarrhea, constipation and constant coughing can all be considered delayed hysteria. Auto revenge/self-wounding can also be considered a variation of hysteria (Munchhausen's Syndrome).
Suggested readings: Crowds and Power, Author Elias Canetti; Anatomy of an Illness, Author Norman Cousins; Unabridged Pinocchio, Author Carlo Collodi and Heidi, Author Johanna Spyri.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 25 ~ 9:00 am - 10:30 am ~ (Meet Outside of Bachelor Officers' Quarters (BOQ) After Breakfast)
"Low Tide Beach and Shore Walk"
Wear your rubbers and enter the salt water realm of the Salish Sea. Puget Sound is the place where the ocean quietly and safely caresses the land. Plants and creatures both thrive on this protected margin between these worlds. When the tide retreats, we have a brief opportunity to explore this mysterious place. Our guide is the world authority on the herbal significance of sea life.
"Low Tide Beach and Shore Walk"
Wear your rubbers and enter the salt water realm of the Salish Sea. Puget Sound is the place where the ocean quietly and safely caresses the land. Plants and creatures both thrive on this protected margin between these worlds. When the tide retreats, we have a brief opportunity to explore this mysterious place. Our guide is the world authority on the herbal significance of sea life.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 24 ~ 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm in Classroom Building B
"Macro and Micro Hysteria:
Herbal Therapeutics Enhancement of the Wound Response"
Unless drugged, most of us have entered the world hysterically. In early life, seemingly minor wounds may elect an apparent hysterical response, often grossly disproportionate to the seriousness of the wound. I believe hysterical response is therapeutically positive for healing and that the immediate tissue wound response is tissue hysteria, often imprecise, excessive and wasteful: fever, loss of consciousness, swelling, pain, blood loss, temporary loss of sight, hearing, smell, taste and color vision. Sweating, apnea, choking, weeping, screaming, paralysis, prolonged bleeding, diarrhea, constipation and constant coughing can all be considered delayed hysteria. Auto revenge/self-wounding can also be considered a variation of hysteria (Munchhausen's Syndrome).
Suggested readings: Crowds and Power, Author Elias Canetti; Anatomy of an Illness, Author Norman Cousins; Unabridged Pinocchio, Author Carlo Collodi and Heidi, Author Johanna Spyri.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 25 ~ 9:00 am - 10:30 am ~ (Meet Outside of Bachelor Officers' Quarters (BOQ) After Breakfast)
"Low Tide Beach and Shore Walk"
Wear your rubbers and enter the salt water realm of the Salish Sea. Puget Sound is the place where the ocean quietly and safely caresses the land. Plants and creatures both thrive on this protected margin between these worlds. When the tide retreats, we have a brief opportunity to explore this mysterious place. Our guide is the world authority on the herbal significance of sea life.
2017 Presentations by Ryan Drum
FRIDAY, AUGUST 25 ~ 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm ~ (Meet at the Picnic Tables Next to the Beach)
"Low Tide Beach and Shore Walk"
Wear your rubbers and enter the salt water realm of the Salish Sea. Puget Sound is the place where the ocean quietly and safely caresses the land. Plants and creatures both thrive on this protected margin between these worlds. When the tide retreats, we have a brief opportunity to explore this mysterious place. Our guide is the world authority on the herbal significance of sea life.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 26 ~ 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm ~ (Meet at the Picnic Tables Next to the Beach)
"Low Tide Beach and Shore Walk"
Wear your rubbers and enter the salt water realm of the Salish Sea. Puget Sound is the place where the ocean quietly and safely caresses the land. Plants and creatures both thrive on this protected margin between these worlds. When the tide retreats, we have a brief opportunity to explore this mysterious place. Our guide is the world authority on the herbal significance of sea life.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 26 ~ 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm in Auditorium A
"An Evening with Ryan Drum: Transgenerational Herbalism and Epigenomics"
Epigenomics is the study of epigenetic changes in gene expression that occur without commensurate changes in DNA base pair sequences; these changes may be transmissible to subsequent generations. Recent research in the emerging field of Epigenomics strongly supports the probabilities of therapeutic transgenerational herbalism. Epigenomics is developing in response to research showing very convincingly that many cancers are initiated and controlled by transmissible extrachromosomal mechanisms. Spend an evening with Ryan as he weaves practical herbal science with his own style of herbal lore.
"Low Tide Beach and Shore Walk"
Wear your rubbers and enter the salt water realm of the Salish Sea. Puget Sound is the place where the ocean quietly and safely caresses the land. Plants and creatures both thrive on this protected margin between these worlds. When the tide retreats, we have a brief opportunity to explore this mysterious place. Our guide is the world authority on the herbal significance of sea life.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 26 ~ 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm ~ (Meet at the Picnic Tables Next to the Beach)
"Low Tide Beach and Shore Walk"
Wear your rubbers and enter the salt water realm of the Salish Sea. Puget Sound is the place where the ocean quietly and safely caresses the land. Plants and creatures both thrive on this protected margin between these worlds. When the tide retreats, we have a brief opportunity to explore this mysterious place. Our guide is the world authority on the herbal significance of sea life.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 26 ~ 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm in Auditorium A
"An Evening with Ryan Drum: Transgenerational Herbalism and Epigenomics"
Epigenomics is the study of epigenetic changes in gene expression that occur without commensurate changes in DNA base pair sequences; these changes may be transmissible to subsequent generations. Recent research in the emerging field of Epigenomics strongly supports the probabilities of therapeutic transgenerational herbalism. Epigenomics is developing in response to research showing very convincingly that many cancers are initiated and controlled by transmissible extrachromosomal mechanisms. Spend an evening with Ryan as he weaves practical herbal science with his own style of herbal lore.
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© 2019 NorthWest Herb Symposium