Naturopath and ethnobotanist Dr. Jody Noé practices traditional medicine as taught by her Cherokee elders. This is a practice that encompasses mind, body, and spirit. She was accepted as an official apprentice in 1987 by Crosslin F. Smith, high medicine priest of the Keetoowah,  of the western band of Cherokees in Tahlequah, OK. She has been with the Smith’s almost 4 decades and continues to practice and study under Crosslin. She was also taught by the elders of the eastern Cherokees, Goingback and Mary U. Chiltoskey, “Mama” Geneva Jackson, and incidentally with Amy Walker.

Dr. Noé continues to study with her elders and practices traditional ways with patients when appropriate. The traditional medicine way uses plants, earth, air, water, and fire (heat), along with rituals and prayers to invoke Spirit and Healing. The Keetoowah are traditionalists and practice ancient rituals such as the sacred “Stomp Dance” to this day. In traditional medicine, many aspects of healing are addressed with a focus on the Spirit of each modality affecting the Spirit of the patient to conjoin with the Great Spirit of the universe.