The Lilium Initiative is dedicated to education
that fosters the North American cultivation & USE
of sustainable, high-quality, efficacious Asian herbs
in collaboration with East Asian Medicine practitioners
for the benefit of PEOPLEs and the planet.
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.
Our Mission
is to create a platform to educate and connect East Asian Medicine herbalists and ecologically-based North American farmers to ensure access to strong, sustainable, locally grown Asian medicinal herbs and to support the conservation of these venerated Asian botanicals.
Our Vision
We imagine a future where potent Asian medicinal herbs are sustainably produced and available across North America via 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 team consists of 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:
Margaret Bloomquist, Board Member
Robyn Klein, MS, Secretary, Board Member
David Melly, President, Board Member
Jasmine Rose Oberste, DACM, Board Member
Kyla Pessl, MSPH, MSTCM, Treasurer, Board Member