Gardening, Herbalism, and Aromatherapy guided by Kat
Kat Sanchez is a first-generation Latina writer, garden guide, and herbalist with Balkan and Irish ancestry. Born and raised on Kizh Land (Whittier, CA), she is the creator of Guided Botanicals, a project centered on land-based healing and cultural remembrance. For over 20 years, Kat has cultivated medicinal gardens, crafted herbal remedies, and supported others in reconnecting with plant knowledge.
Her work sits at the intersection of storytelling, traditional healing, and ecological care. Through her writing and in-person teachings, Kat helps communities, especially BIPOC audiences, reclaim their connection to the land, plants, and intuitive medicine. As a first-gen Latina, she brings a perspective shaped by cultural memory, lived experience, and deep reverence for planet earth.
As a contributor to Gardener’s Path, Kat offers more than practical advice. Her articles serve as accessible, inspiring guides for readers looking to deepen their relationships with plants. From seed starting to harvesting for herbal preparation, her writing combines expertise with a grounded, relatable voice.
Through her home apothecary and Guided Botanicals, Kat crafts herbal and aromatherapeutic offerings using mindfully sourced ingredients. She also provides personalized garden guidance rooted in respect for local ecosystems. At the heart of her work is a commitment to helping others create their own remedies, rituals, and relationships with the natural world.
Below is a list of highlighted learning experiences.
2010: UCCE LA Victory Gardener
2011: UCCE LA County Master Gardener
2012: Wild Gardening course series with Arborist Darren C. Butler
2014: Soil, Composting, & Biofiltration workshop series with Nance Khelm
2013 – on going: Various western herbalism courses on energetics
2018: The HedgeSchool, Sisters of Rock & Root with Sharon Blackie
2018: Alchemy Panel Discussion with Cathy Skipper, Dr. Florian Birkmayer, John Steele, and Roxana Villa
2018: California Edible Native Plant Workshop with Barbara Drake, Tongva elder and medicine woman
2018: Native Plant Propagation with Antonio Sanchez
2021: Aromatherapy Certification Course, The School for Aromatic Studies
Kat has led several gardening and herbalism workshops over the years. From the LA County Arboretum to local parks, community gardens, university classrooms, and plant nurseries, she’s had a wide range of experiences that have enriched her teaching approach. Her earth care, craft, and cultivation are guided by our natural, spiritual, and cosmic worlds.