The natural products industry is celebrating the life and legacy of Mary Bove, N.D., who passed away in June. A respected herbalist, licensed midwife and naturopathic doctor, Dr. Bove was a Medical Educator and formulation research and product developer for Gaia Herbs, and was a dear friend to the company's founder and a teacher and mentor to the current formulator at Gaia. Known for her compassion and wisdom, Dr. Bove truly believed in the power of plants to help women thrive through the seasons of life.
A charter member of the company's Scientific Advisory Board, Dr. Bove's influence played a pivotal role in the company's overall mission and its products. Her work leaves a lasting impact on the in the world of botanical medicine and women’s wellness
A mentor, advocate, and educator, Dr. Bove was a full-time faculty member of Bastyr University. During her tenure, she chaired the school's departments of Botanical Medicine and Naturopathic Midwifery. She spent time teaching internationally for Heartwood Institute educating on topics of naturopathic medicine, botanical medicine, pediatrics, natural pregnancy and childbirth, traditional food medicine, and mind-body healing. An avid writer, she authored the Encyclopedia of Natural Healing for Children and Infants, co-authored Herbs for Women’s Health, and published articles in many magazines, journals, and collaborative books on botanical and natural medicine.
Friends and industry colleagues have shared their condolences and fondest memories of the late Dr. Bove including Roy Upton RH, DipAyu, President of the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia, who wrote: "There will be numerous memorials to Mary that give more details about her life and career in the coming weeks. We wanted to offer these personal thoughts and feelings for someone who was dearly loved and will be sorely missed. The world truly lost a light with her passing and words are inadequate to express what we feel from this loss. May her spirit and soul rest peacefully and as happily as she lived in life and may those she left behind, children and grandchildren, be blessed."
The team at Gaia Herbs, also shared a tribute to Dr. Bove, saying: "Her expertise was matched only by her presence. She embodied joy, connection, and wisdom and was a delight to everyone who encountered her. Her teachings will continue to ripple outward, shaping the lives and practices of thousands who were touched by her wisdom."
More on the life of Dr. Mary Bove, including the lessons she shared with the Gaia Herbs PRO community, can be found here.
