Meet our Principal Scientist

by Shari Hambleton

Kevin Spelman, PhD may have arrived at Herb Pharm to function as our new principal scientist with an expansive background as a researcher, but, Spelman says, he doesn't want his scientific "pedigree" to eclipse the heart of his work.

"I don't want to be pigeon-holed as a 'science guy,'" he says. "I'm coming from a very different philosophy of life where I see the planet as a living entity. This leads to a very different foundational stance in the sciences and especially the approach to herbal medicine. Herbal medicine is the place where spirit, planetary ecology and human physiology meet."

Still, Spelman's extensive background in the realm of the sciences has equipped him well to not only lead Herb Pharm's research and development team but expand it. Besides participating in the quality control of Herb Pharm products, Dr. Spelman's current focus includes researching various aspects of phytochemistry and molecular biology specifically relating to the development of new potential Herb Pharm products.

Spelman says, "I was drawn to HP's homegrown nature, founders Ed Smith and Sara Katz' reputation for integrity in the natural products industry and their commitment to broad spectrum traditional extractions. In short, we are a good fit when it comes to our approach to herbal medicine, and putting ethics ahead of profits."

Though Spelman's responsibilities keep him busy at our Oregon-based extraction facility, he manages to maintain ambitious outreach efforts such as collaborating with the National Institutes of Health on a project examining the blood glucose effects of Fenugreek, with the University of North Carolina on the phytochemical differences of Osha and related species, speaking nationally at conferences and writing.

Spelman's educational workshops and presentations reflect his spirit, focusing on plant constituent synergy and broad spectrum extraction. He explains that it's like the difference between the sound of a single instrument compared to the depth and breadth of a full orchestra. Translated to herbal medicine, this means using as much of the complex chemistry of medicinal plants as possible rather than identifying, isolating and extracting one specific constituent which may have been credited with specific healing properties.

Dr. Spelman began working as Herb Pharm's Principal Scientist in May coming from the National Institutes of Health where he was a post-doctoral fellow focusing on brain and ovarian cancer research. In addition to his herbal clinical and research focus, Spelman has provided expert testimony to the Maryland legislators on botanical medicine and supplement safety issues, lectured on a variety of topics including research models and perspectives in medicinal plant investigations and provided extensive consultation in the natural products industry on quality control and instrumentation, research potential, formulations and product development.

While Dr. Spelman's past work with bioactivity in medicinal plants has included analytical, clinical and international research, he stresses his love of clinical practice – working with people to improve their health and conditions within their communities. And that's cost him plenty along the way – like a case of malaria in Nigeria, Rocky Mountain spotted fever in Montana and Dengue Fever in Latin America. But he's not complaining… "I love being on this planet," he says. "I love traveling and challenging my cognitive patterns by being immersed in different cultures and thought processes."