A live online discussion with master herbalist Erika Ramelli, Dr. Wenli Liu, and host Alejandro Chaoul, Ph.D.
How can you use plants mindfully to restore balance, manage stress, and cultivate lasting serenity? What is the science behind ancient traditions of herbalism, and how can their knowledge be applied in practical ways amid our modern daily routines? Join us for an engaging conversation between a master herbalist and a seasoned medical professional who together will explore how traditional herbal practices, rooted in ethnobotany and spirituality, can be seamlessly integrated with modern scientific understanding to promote holistic well-being in today’s fast-paced urban environments.
About the Presenters
Erika Ramelli is a Swiss-Colombian master herbalist, holistic nutritionist, and internationally recognized wellness consultant with over three decades of experience blending ancestral wisdom and modern science. A member of the American Herbalists Guild, she holds multiple certifications in wellness modalities, including aromatherapy, Ayurveda, pranic healing, and stress management. Erika has trained under renowned neuroscientists, Buddhist scholars, Zen masters, and indigenous elders across the Americas, refining her unique approach to healing that integrates ethnobotanical traditions with cutting-edge bioregulatory science. She is a published author, keynote speaker, and corporate wellness advisor for global organizations, earning accolades such as International Woman of the Year (2012) by FEMME Magazine. Through her plant-forward programs and practical methodologies, Erika has helped thousands achieve physical balance, emotional resilience, and mindful coherence in their lives. Learn more
Wenli Liu, M.D., received her medical degree from Hunan Medical University in Changsha, China. After completing her residency in internal medicine at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, she joined the faculty of the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, where she had a successful 22-year career. With extensive patient care experience and a commitment to staying updated on medical research, Dr. Liu recognized the significant impact of lifestyle on cancer risks, treatment response, and disease progression. She developed a strong interest in nutrition and physical fitness for cancer patients, often finding that lifestyle changes were more effective than medication. Dr. Liu counseled patients on how their lifestyle choices influenced their treatment plans and overall well-being. She firmly believes that prevention is the best medicine and integrates science with lifestyle in her practice. Dr. Liu founded the Integrative Medicine Clinic-Houston to serve a broader community and hosts the YouTube channel Integrative Medicine Perspective, discussing various integrative medicine topics.
Alejandro Chaoul-Reich, Ph.D. (host) serves as director of research for Ligmincha International. He has studied in the Tibetan traditions since 1989, and for nearly 30 years in the Bön Tradition with Yongdzin Tenzin Namdak Rinpoche, His Holiness Lungtok Tenpai Nyima Rinpoche, and Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche. He holds a Ph.D. in Tibetan religions from Rice University and is scholar and founding director of the Mind Body Spirit Institute at the Jung Center of Houston. For the last 20 years he has been teaching and researching the benefits of Tibetan mind-body practices for people touched by cancer. He is a Contemplative Fellow at the Mind & Life Institute, and is the author of Chöd Practice in the Bön Tradition (Snow Lion, 2009), Tibetan Yoga for Health & Well-Being (Hay House, 2018), and Tibetan Yoga: Magical Movements of Body, Breath, and Mind (Wisdom Publications, 2021).