Describing herself as a "keeper of the old ways," Kathy Clark-Ubil, AG ’85, perpetuates and disseminates the herbal traditions of her people, Delaware’s Nanticoke tribe, through her business, the Indian River Herb Co.
Kathy "Little Star" began the Indian River Herb Co. 13 years ago, but helping to heal others through medicinal herbs has always been her calling. Historically, she says, the Clark family has been known for keeping the herbal traditions of the tribe, which is renowned for its herbal skills. Some of this knowledge was passed down to her through family and tribal tradition. She also has learned from other Native American healers. Most importantly, Clark-Ubil says she believes, her skill is a gift from the Creator.
"My knowledge of plants comes from dedication and devotion," she explains. "I honor the healing nation and they honor me with an understanding. They honor all of us with their healing."
Clark-Ubil majored in Indian studies at the University of Pennsylvania before transferring to the University of Delaware to study agriculture, where she created independent study courses on herbs. "I grew every herb from seed and studied them. I taught some courses on herbs, too," she added. She credits David Frey, associate professor of ornamental horticulture, and Donald Fieldhouse, retired professor of plant and soil sciences, for their support and interest in her studies. She continues to further her education by keeping up with the latest studies on herbs and remaining active in professional organizations.
Clark-Ubil emphasizes that herbal healing is not unproven folklore but scientific fact. Even today, when Western medicine has distanced itself from traditional healing methods, fully 40 percent of all pharmaceuticals are plant-based, she adds.
As anyone who has visited a drugstore recently knows, herbal remedies are popular. In fact, they constitute the fastest-growing portion of the health industry. People who at one time would have considered herbal medicines to be so much superstition now trust their physical and mental health to herbs such as echinacea (for flu) and St.-John’s-wort (for depression).
Long used by native peoples to cure ailments, medicinal herbs have always been accepted in Europe as healing remedies, alongside pharmaceuticals and over-the-counter medicines, Clark-Ubil points out. Germans, in particular, have never lost their connection to herbal medicines, she says. Among industrialized nations, Americans are quite tardy in coming to accept herbal medicines, she says.
"Most people here still consider medicinal herbs as a fad or a last-ditch effort," Clark-Ubil says. Her customers vary in age, race and sex, but many of them share a frustration with traditional medicine that has failed to produce cures—or has alleviated one complaint only to add a host of others due to a medication’s side-effects.
Clark-Ubil admits she has not always taken the most direct path to her healing role. But, after some 17 years spent living elsewhere and employed in related careers, Clark-Ubil returned in the mid ’80s to her childhood home of Millsboro, Del. Despite her wanderings, she says, "the Creator has always brought me back on this path [to healing]."
Cultivating herbs on tribal land has been an especially powerful experience for her. "The land here gives me strength and wisdom because our ancestors are here," she explains.
Approximately 1,000 members of the Nanticoke nation still live in southern Delaware. Clark-Ubil’s father, Kenneth "Red Deer" Clark, serves as the tribe’s chief, as did his father and grandfather before him. It was at the annual Nanticoke Pow-wow, which draws native peoples from across the country, that Clark-Ubil got her start. She had set up a booth to sell herbs and was overwhelmed by people’s interest in the medicinal uses of herbs. Within three months, she had published a catalog, and sales have been humming along ever since.
Clark-Ubil sells some culinary herbs, but she concentrates on medicinal and ceremonial herbs. She sells wholesale and retail both by catalog and at a newly opened store adjacent to her home. She stills grows some of the herbs. A field outside her shop, for example, will supply all the goldenrod she needs for her popular Sinus Tea. Many of the other herbs are purchased from throughout the world. Clark-Ubil carefully screens for product quality and for the professional integrity of her suppliers. She cautions that poorly supervised growing and processing of herbs can lead to adulterated products, even with cooking herbs. Because the FDA does not regulate herbal medications, she urges consumers to buy only from reputable merchants.
Her customers can select from among 350 dried botanicals, including peppermint to alleviate indigestion and nausea, comfrey root to aid in healing wounds and broken bones and wild cherry bark for coughs and asthma. In addition to these "simples" sold by the ounce, Clark-Ubil also creates her own herbal blends. Among the more popular are Bronchial Tea and Dream Tea (used as a sleep aid and/or to encourage lucid dreaming). She also sells the "hottest new supplements," such as bovine cartilage for arthritis and co-enzyme Q-10, purchased by many heart patients sent to her by their physicians.
Although herbs are her livelihood, Clark-Ubil distances herself from the business side of her company, preferring to let her brother’s fianc´ee handle those aspects. For her, the Indian River Herb Co. has always been about spirituality. "I can’t imagine healing occurring without the spiritual act," she says.
"For me, life has no meaning outside of how I can serve the Creator, protect Mother Earth and help someone who crosses my path," she said. "I am only in this world as a servant."
–Theresa Gawlas Medoff, AS ’94M