Our Mission & VISION
Our mission is to create a platform that educates and connects East Asian medicine herbalists with ecologically based North American farmers, ensuring access to strong, sustainable, locally grown Asian medicinal herbs while supporting the conservation of these venerated botanicals.
Our vision is a future where potent Asian medicinal herbs are sustainably produced and widely available across North America through collaborative supply chains that benefit the health of patients, farmers, and the planet.
OUR TEAM
Lilium Initiative is a volunteer-run, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Our membership and supporters includes members from a wide variety of backgrounds, including farmers currently growing Asian medicinals in North America, licensed practitioners of Traditional Asian Medicine, students, academics and community members that are dedicated to furthering our mission.
Our 2026 Board Members are:
Our Story
East Asian Medicine has helped many people in North America experience profound improvements in their health. Yet growing concerns around overharvesting, endangered herbs, industrial farming practices, contamination, supply chain instability, and rising global demand highlight the need for a more sustainable approach to East Asian herbal medicine.
The Lilium Initiative began in 2018 with a group of students from Peg Schafer’s ninemonth apprenticeship program. United by a shared respect for East Asian herbal medicine and concern over unsustainable harvesting and growing practices, this diverse team of acupuncturists, farmers, gardeners, TCM students, and writiers came together to support the local, sustainable cultivation of Asian medicinal herbs. Their mission is to support North American farmers grow high-quality East Asian medicinal herbs and connect them with practitioners and vendors committed to providing high quality, sustainable herbal medicine.
The Lilium Initiative supports the domestic cultivation of high-quality East Asian medicinal herbs to help protect vulnerable plant species, strengthen local supply chains, and promote the highest standards of safety, efficacy, and sustainability. By connecting American farmers, practitioners, and herb users, the Initiative works to preserve the integrity and future of East Asian herbal medicine.