Join Guido Masé for a curiosity-sparking event exploring the ever-deepening science of herbal bitters—shared in support of beloved herbalist and mentor, David Hoffmann.
We’ve long cherished bitters for their gifts to digestion and liver health. But over the past decade, research has revealed a much bigger story. Our bodies are listening to bitter flavors in ways we never imagined! Cells throughout the gut lining—and even immune cells—respond to bitter cues, helping shape not only digestion, but also immunity, metabolism, and the balance of our microbiome.
Guido will walk us through fascinating new clinical findings, including studies on bitter herbs like hops and how they influence hormones such as PYY and GLP-1, along with immune peptides that help regulate our defenses. Together, we’ll explore how bitters act as vital “signal messengers,” guiding how we respond to the world around us—an elegant dance between plant chemistry and human physiology.
Expect clear explanations, practical herbal insights, and that special spark of wonder that comes from seeing old traditions illuminated by new science. Come sip some knowledge, support a treasured herbal elder, and celebrate the beautiful connections between plants, people, and the living ecology we share. 🌿
This webinar includes time for questions––have you been wondering about GLP-1s? 🤔
And a special appearance by David Hoffmann! 🤗
As always, this live event will be recorded. All profits will support the fundraiser to assist David Hoffmann with unpaid medical expenses.
About Guido Masé
Guido Masé RH(AHG) is a clinically-trained herbalist, herbal educator, and garden steward specializing in holistic Western herbalism, though his approach is eclectic and draws upon many influences. He spent his childhood in Italy, in the central Alps, and in a Renaissance town called Ferrara. After traveling the United States, he settled in Vermont, where he has been living since 1996.
He serves as herbalist, principal scientist, and head formulator at Traditional Medicinals, where he works on research, development, formulation, and education for herbal teas and supplements. He also supports the team at Urban Moonshine, an organic herbal extract company focused on bitters and tonics. He is a member of the Stewardship Council for the Sustainable Herbs Initiative, a collaborative group seeking to cultivate resilience and reciprocity in the herbal industry.
He is a founder of the Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism, a 501(c)(3) non-profit herbal medicine clinic and school that provides comprehensive services focused on whole plants and whole foods, and is also a founding member of the Railyard Apothecary, a community clinic and herb shop in Burlington, Vermont. He participates in herbal education at the University of Vermont, and is the author of The Wild Medicine Solution: Healing with Aromatic, Bitter and Tonic Plants (Healing Arts Press, 2013) and DIY Bitters (Fair Winds Press, 2016).
Guido’s teaching style focuses on conveying the interconnections within the human organism and between the organism and its surrounding ecology. Relying on clinical experience, storytelling, and scientific research, he believes that true strength flows from nature and that herbal medicine is key to sustainable, successful living.
About David Hoffmann
David Hoffmann has been a phytotherapist for over 35 years and is the author of fifteen books, including The Holistic Herbal, An Elders Herbal, An Herbal Guide to Stress Relief and Therapeutic Herbalism, and a textbook on science and clinical skills.
David is an internationally renowned medical herbalist. He was a founding member and past president of the American Herbalists Guild, serves on the advisory boards of both the American Botanical Council and United Plant Savers, is a visiting faculty member of Bastyr University, and teaches at the California School of Herbal Studies. David has presented at several of our herbal medicine conferences.
For decades, David Hoffmann has championed the cause of herbal medicine, shaping countless herbalists’ practices and advocating for a healthcare model built on connection, ecology, and care. Now, our community has an opportunity to return that support as he navigates a baffling health insurance maze. Although David has received an encouraging prognosis regarding a recently-discovered pancreatic tumor, due to unresolved bureaucratic errors, he is left responsible for significant medical costs that Medicare should have covered. We are hosting this fundraiser to help cover his immediate financial needs while this issue remains in limbo, ensuring David can focus on his continued health rather than the stress of mounting bills.