Meet Carolyn Jones

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Carolyn Jones. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Carolyn, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

That’s a great question, because my purpose actually found me. I spent many years trying to determine how I could be of use to the world and be happy at the same time. Thankfully, the study of plant medicine entered my consciousness and I have been been in my bliss ever since.

A dear friend, now deceased, thanked me for sending him information about the Institute of Holistic Theology. I told him that I had not sent it. Since he insisted that I had sent the message to him, I asked him to forward it to me. I read the email, loved what I saw, and called the school to enroll that same day.

As it turns out, May 21, 2009, was a very significant day in my life. It was the day I planted the seed to be who I am today. And, who I am today is a woman living fully and unapologetically in her purpose.

My main goal is to live joyfully, and my purpose it to represent and invoke a peace-filled nature in others, in spite of the many obstacles that all of us face daily..

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I am the Coordinator of the HWB Healing Project Mobile Clinic, under the auspices of Herbalists Without Borders International, Inc. (HWB), a global community where all people have access to affordable natural and botanical health and wellness. The organization works with community-based chapters to create educational, advocacy, and grassroots model projects to fill the gaps in health justice internationally.
The most enjoyable aspect of my work is that of a health advocate and educator. My interest in plant medicine has led me to acquire certifications as an herbalist, aromatherapist, flower essence practitioner, reflexologist, and auriculotherapy detoxification specialist (NADA).

A core group of dedicated holistic health professionals join me to host workshops and free clinic offerings. We recently had the privilege of collaborating with the Bronx Psychiatric Wellness Center, and the Brooklyn Museum-on-Wheels program.

In July-October 2025, we successfully hosted a free community clinic at the Cortelyou branch of the Brooklyn Public Library. As a result, we have gotten permission to expand our offering. So, our clinic is scheduled to design programming from May-October 2026.

Stay tuned!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

The three qualities that have most impacted my journey are: optimism, faith, and determination.
I was fortunate to have joined Marble Collegiate Church in 1979 when Dr. Norman Vincent Peale was the church leader. He authored Power of Positive Thinking, a book filled with common sense wisdom. Making peace with the past, focusing on personal happiness, and avoiding comparisons of yourself to others were the three principles he taught that I found to be quite useful as I planted fresh seeds of self-development. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, I needed a new beginning.

His sermons were a blend of psychology and scripture, so his messages were easily applied to the challenges I faced at that time. Learning not to be so hard on myself when I made a mistake was difficult because of how mistakes had been handled in my upbringing.

In order to focus on personal happiness, I had to have something to be happy about. So, I took on a mantle of gratitude. I was intentional about what I appreciated. Now, I can’t say that I wasn’t tested at every turn, but it taught me how to manage my emotions.
For a time, it seemed that everyone knew the answer while I was left fumbling around in the dark. I learned how to be patient with myself, and over time I incorporated Kundalini yoga into my self-awareness practice. Surprisingly enough, I gradually experienced a lifting of the veil, so to speak.

Clarity and trusting myself became a solid part of my existence. Gradually, I began to blossom. It was clear that I was growing into my assignment.

I leaned into the energy that was bolstering my spirit, empowered by the information that I needed to experience a breakthrough of life-changing proportions. Moving in silence, I plotted my course by tasting my dreams and enacting my visions. The results were magical and grounding.

So, if anyone is out there facing challenges that seem insurmountable, my advice to them is to create a plan. Write it down. Only share it with those who have a possible solution. Seek mentorship and rise–unapologetically–to the occasion, when it presents itself. In other words, believe in yourself. If you don’t, who will?

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

Many of the people who have contributed to the successes that I have experienced in life are living in my heart, having relinquished their physical form.

But, if I had to choose one, I have to credit master herbalist, Matthew Wood.

I first became aware of him while studying Herbology at the American Institute of Holistic Health. A featured herbalist in one of my textbooks, I was convinced that I had to meet him. I actually got that opportunity one summer evening when he was teaching a community class about thyroid health at the ArborVitae School of Traditional Herbalism in Manhattan.

I introduced myself and let him know that I wanted him to guide me through the process of being a skilled herbalist. I admired the way he immersed himself in research, bringing the wisdom of the past to the future for us to hungrily devour. He invited me to participate in his weekly class for advanced study. I finally had a tribe. Every Tuesday, I met with people who spoke my language–the language of plants.

Over time our friendship grew. Fascinated by my work at a Brooklyn funeral home, Matthew invited me to co-teach Herbs for Death, Dying, and Grief at the Matthew Wood Institute of Herbalism. Since that time, I have also taught Black Folk Herbalism and Culinary Remedies in the African American Kitchen.

I appreciate him because he has provided me with a platform to do what I love most. I consider teaching to be the highest of form self-development, and an extremely satisfying way to help others help themselves.

Contact Info:

• Website: www,behealed.info
• Instagram: thp_the_healing_project
• Linkedin: linkedin,com/in/carolyn-jones-thp

Image Credits

Will Vaultz