As one of North America’s most respected herbalists and botanical researchers, Richard “Ric” Scalzo has more than 35 years of clinical and practical experience with herbal medicines. As an innovator and pioneer in the herbal products industry, he is a leading authority on the cultivation of herbs, extraction processes, whole plant standardization, and traditional herbal therapies. In addition, Ric is a lifelong student of Vedic philosophy and spiritual practices.
After studying herbal medicine at the School of Natural Healing under Dr. John Christopher, Ric practiced as a clinical herbalist in a New England medical center.
In 1987, he founded Gaia Herbs, a nationally-branded grower and manufacturer of herbal wellness solutions that reinforce the inherent connections between healthy bodies, communities, and ecosystems. He and his team of herbalists and researchers grew the company into a vertically integrated, organic seed to finished botanical dietary supplement manufacturer and farming operation. Under his leadership and vision, the company set industry standards for its organic commitment, sustainable methods, educational curriculum, and quality assurance program.
In 2019, Ric made a philanthropic donation to Sonoran University for the development of the Ric Scalzo Institute for Botanical Research, a state-of-the-art molecular biology/phytochemistry laboratory.
Ric is now focusing his efforts on Biodynamic and Organic Herb Cultivation in Valle Encantado Costa Rica on his farm called CR Medicinal Farms. He is also offering his years of knowledge and guidance on the direction of research at the Institute in his name in hopes of understanding how traditional plant medicines operate on a cellular level in order to create novel botanical solutions that support people, planet, and plants.
Ric Scalzo holds an honorary Doctorate in Naturopathy from Sonoran University of Health Sciences (formerly Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine) in Tempe, Arizona, and received a Master Herbalist degree in 1982 from the School of Natural Healing.
