Applications of Essential Oils

Dr. Christopher Hobbs is a fourth-generation, internationally renowned herbalist, licensed acupuncturist, herbal clinician, research scientist, consultant to the dietary supplement industry, expert witness, botanist, mycologist with over 35 years of experience. He has studied traditional Chinese medicine and as a licensed acupuncturist (California) he has practiced since 1995 in his clinic and in an integrated practice with a physician.

The author or co-author of over 20 books, Christopher lectures on herbal medicine world-wide. He has taught at universities and medical schools such as Bastyr University and the National School of Naturopathic Medicine, and most recently for 7 years at the University of California, Berkeley as a GSI and lecturer. He earned his Ph.D. at UC Berkeley, one of the world’s most prestigious universities, with research and publication in evolutionary biology, biogeography, phylogenetics, plant chemistry, and ethnobotany.

His current projects include helping set up and develop standards for DNA testing to insure the species identification of commercial herb products, as well as research and product development and educational activities involving the medicinal and healing properties of fungi.

Dr Pengelly was trained in botanical medicine, naturopathy, and homeopathy at the Southern Cross Herbal School, and plant biology and archaeology at the University of New England (Australia). He established a herbal medicine practice for 18 years, and taught extensively at several herb schools in Australia and internationally, before gaining an appointment as program director of the Bachelor of Herbal Therapies at the University of Newcastle. For his research findings on ethnopharmacology of Australian plants he was awarded a PhD. He is author of the widely used text “The Constituents of Medicinal Plants”.

In 2009 Dr Pengelly moved to the USA to take on a position with the (then) Tai Sophia Institute, now Maryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH), where he served in the teaching faculty and director of the herb dispensary. In addition, he has been a regular visiting lecturer at the Georgetown University Medical School since 2011. In 2016 he returned to Australia where he has resumed his field botany, essential oil distillation and research into medicinal and aromatic plants at Southern Cross Farm in the lower Hunter Valley, while continuing to teach online for MUIH.