Chris Kilham

Chris Kilham

Medicine Hunter Chris Kilham in Ningxia, China, with Goji Berry, 2010
Born Christopher Scott Kilham
(1952-07-22) July 22, 1952
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Occupation Medicine Hunter, TV Personality, Educator, Author
Spouse(s) Zoe Helene (2007-present)
Website www.medicinehunter.com

Chris Kilham (born July 22, 1952) is an author, educator, and world-traveler researching and promoting plant-based medicines. He is the founder of Medicine Hunter, Inc., and is a Fox News integrative alternative medicine TV personality and columnist.[1] He is the author of 14 books, including The Five Tibetans,[2] Tales from The Medicine Trail,[3] Psyche Delicacies,[4] and Kava: Medicine Hunting in Paradise.[5] The New York Times has referred to Kilham as “part David Attenborough, part Indiana Jones."[6] Richard Branson writes about Kilham's sustainability work in his book, Screw Business as Usual.[7]

Family Background

Chris Kilham was born and raised in a family of ministers, broadcast and public speaking professionals. He is the son of Elizabeth Scalise Kilham “Bette Day” (1925-2006) and Gene Kilham (1919-1971). Bette Day was one of the first female on-screen TV talents at Boston’s WBZ-TV and became a popular radio disc jockey during her 43-year broadcasting career.[8] Gene Kilham was also a broadcasting professional and songwriter. His grandfather, Rev. Dr. Victor Scalise graduated from Yale Divinity School in 1932 and spoke for his graduating class and received an award for effective preaching.[9] Kilham’s uncle and first cousin are both Baptist ministers.[10]

Chris Kilham did his first commercial gig for Welch's Grape Juice on live TV at the age of 7 and did several commercials as a child.[11]

Kilham married animal rights advocate, artist and sustainability correspondent[12] Zoe Helene in 2007.[13] Helene often travels on Medicine Hunter expeditions[14] and is an officer/partner in the company.[15][16]

Medicine Hunter

Chris Kilham
Chris Kilham with Shaman Dona Sophia with Maca (Lepidium meyenii) in the Peruvian Andes. Photo by Zoe Helene
Chris Kilham with Shaman Dona Sophia and Maca. Photo by Zoe Helene

Kilham is the founder of Medicine Hunter, Inc. Through Medicine Hunter, Kilham travels to locate native medicinal plants and set up cultivation methods and trade with indigenous peoples. Medicine Hunter, Inc. is sponsored by companies who compensate Kilham for researching and promoting specific plants.[17] Kilham's primary sponsor is Naturex, a French supplier of plant extracts. The Naturex Foundation employs Kilham to establish fair trade with indigenous peoples in the areas in which their plants are grown.[18]

In addition to Naturex, Medicine Hunter Inc. partners with Purity Products, Enzymatic Therapy, and Fox News.[19] Kilham appears on Fox News as the "Medicine Hunter" and writes an online column under this same name.[20]

Kilham's wife, Zoe Helene, is an active partner in Medicine Hunter, Inc. Zoe Helene is an artist, environmental activist, sustainability correspondent[21][22][23][24][25] and interactive media pioneer.[12][26][27][28][29] Helene travels with Kilham on expeditions and conducts field research on the state of wilderness and wildlife, the arts of indigenous peoples, and women and children’s rights.[30] As partner and 'co-pilot' in Medicine Hunter, Inc., Helene has traveled with Kilham on expeditions to the Peruvian Amazon, Peruvian Andes, Panama, Chile, South Africa, Vanuatu and Aotearoa (New Zealand), where she spent the years 9 to 19. Helene traveled with media on Medicine Hunter expeditions and appeared with Chris Kilham on NBC Nightly News,[31] and in twice in The New York Times.[32][33] She is mentioned in Reality Sandwich,[34] Ode Magazine,[35] and most recently, Outside Magazine, where she was quoted as advocating for New Zealand’s critically endangered Maui’s dolphin "of which a mere 55 survive.”[36] On Huffington Post she writes about the importance of sustainable harvesting of medicinal plants, stating that “Ayahuasca (Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis), in the Amazon, are increasingly difficult to find in the wild.”[23]

Plant Medicine

Under Medicine Hunter, Inc. and partner companies, Kilham has conducted medicinal research in over 20 countries. He also promotes the following plants as having these properties:

Kilham’s work with aphrodisiacs has been featured on CNN,[47] The Dr. Oz Show,[48] Good Morning America,[49] and in the New York Times[50] and Washington Post,[51] ABC News Nightline,[42] Outside Magazine,[36] and Business Insider.[45]

Work in Natural Products Industry

From 1985-1990, Kilham was the Vice President of Marketing for Bread and Circus, a natural foods chain bought by Whole Foods in 1992.[52] In 1990, Kilham founded Cowboy Marketing, a consulting firm for the natural foods industry.[53] His book, Cowboy Marketing: How to Shoot from the Hip and Win on the Wild Frontier of Natural Foods Retailing is about his experiences in the natural foods industry.[54]

Role in Cannabis Reform

Kilham is an activist in the movement to legalize marijuana[55] and has written about the topic, including the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes and U.S. patent 6.630.507, on several occasions as part of his Fox Health blog.[56][57][58][59] Kilham’s wife and business partner, Zoe Helene, is also a public advocate for the legalization of marijuana, and was recently featured in a Forbes article stating that she uses cannabis occasionally “as a tool for evolving and expanding my psyche.”[60]

Cannabis fine dining is gaining momentum across the country. Kilham is the "celebrity ethnobotanist" in Robyn Grigg Lawerence's, The Cannabis Kitchen Cookbook (2015),[61] which features healthy cannabis-infused food recipes and seasoned advice from America's top cannabis chefs. He was listed as one of the "Top Cannabis Chefs" in Culture Magazine.[62]

Voice of Shamanism

Chris Kilham
Chris Kilham with Chakruna (Psychotria viridis) leaves in the Peruvian Amazon. Chakruna is one of two essential plants for making ayahuasca, a body, mind and spirit medicine.
Chris Kilham with Chakruna. Photo by Zoe Helene

Kilham is recognized as a chief in the South Pacific.[63] He researches and promotes psychoactive and psychedelic plants used in traditional shaman rituals, including kava and ayahuasca.[64] He has written a book about the medicinal qualities of psychoactive and psychedelic plants, entitled Psyche Delicacies: Coffee, Chocolate, Chiles, Kava and Cannabis and Why They're Good for You.[65] Chris' most recent book, The Ayahuasca Test Pilots Handbook - The Essential Guide to Ayahuasca Journeying,[66] has been featured in Newsweek,[67] Boston Magazine,[68] and Reset with Amber Lyon.[69] The Ayahuasca Test Pilots Handbook - The Essential Guide to Ayahuasca Journeying[66] is dedicated to Kilham's wife, Zoe Helene, and to the late Ipupiara, Bernardo Dias Peixoto, a shaman.

Kilham’s Ayahausca Monologues have been described as a “psychedelic TED talk” and “Insightful, funny, wild, and totally real".[39] Chris is the founder of Ayahuasca Test Pilots,[70] a “collaboration of individuals who engage in the ceremonial practice of ayahuasca journeying with skilled shamans”. His wife, Zoe Helene, serves as “Co-Pilot”.

Yoga and Meditation

Kilham is a yoga teacher and conference speaker.[71] His most notable yoga contribution is his book, The Five Tibetans: Five Dynamic Exercises for Health, Energy, and Personal Power, which has been a bestseller for 20 years and translated into 27 languages.[72] Nicki Doane, Deepak Chopra, and Dr. Mehmet Oz are quoted on the book jacket.[73] Kilham has been featured on The Dr. Oz Show teaching Dr. Mehmet Oz the exercises.[74] He has also demonstrated The Five Tibetans on Fox News.[75] Kilham is sometimes referred to as the "Psychedelic Yogi".[76][77]

Kilham has a Mind Body Disciplines degree from University of Massachusetts-Amherst, a major that he designed himself.[78]

Work with University of Massachusetts

Kilham has taught ethnobotany at University of Massachusetts since 2000. His title there is “Explorer in Residence.”[79] He leads the Shaman’s Pharmacy Amazon Field Immersion Course, an expedition to primary rainforest in Peru for students from UMass Amherst, Amherst College, Mount Holyoke College, Hampshire College, and Smith College. Students experience the Amazon while learning about field expedition, sustainability, shamanism, and medicinal plants of the region. Helene travels with and educates the students.[16][80]

Books

Kilham is the author of fourteen books and numerous publications on medicinal plants, natural products, and yoga, including The Five Tibetans: Five Dynamic Exercises for Health, Energy, and Personal Power and Stalking the Wild Orgasm,[81] which appears as a key character set-up prop in the cult 1988 movie, Earth Girls Are Easy in the lead role Valerie Gail’s (played by Geena Davis) lingerie drawer. Chris' most recent book, The Ayahuasca Test Pilots Handbook - The Essential Guide to Ayahuasca Journeying,[66] provides a practical guide to ayahuasca use.

Kilham’s other books are:

Television and Radio Appearances

Kilham is a frequent guest on The Dr. Oz Show with Dr. Mehmet Oz, appearing on at least 15 occasions from January 2008 to January 2015,[82][83][84] [85][86][87][88][89] and Good Morning America, where he has appeared to discuss herbal remedies, his cocoa sustainability project, and libido boosting plants.[90][91][92] Kilham also serves on The Medical Advisory Board of The Dr. Oz Show.[88]

Kilham has appeared as a guest expert on numerous radio and television programs, speaking primarily about medicine hunting, mind/body health and wellness, traditional botanical medicine, sustainability, environmental and cultural preservation and other related topics.

References

  1. ↑ "The Medicine Hunter Challenge". Dr. Manny's Notes on Fox News.com. 4 June 2010. Retrieved 16 August 2011.
  2. ↑ Kilham, Chris (1994). The Five Tibetans: Five Dynamic Exercises for Health, Energy, and Personal Power. Healing Arts Press. ISBN 0-89281-450-0.
  3. ↑ Kilham, Chris (2000). Tales from the Medicine Trail: Tracking Down the Secrets of Shamans, Herbalists, Mystics, Yogis, and Other Healers. Rodale Press. ISBN 1-57954-185-2.
  4. ↑ Kilham, Chris (2001). Psyche Delicacies. Rodale Press. ISBN 1-57954-347-2.
  5. ↑ Kilham, Chris (1996). Kava: Medicine Hunting in Paradise. Park Street Press. ISBN 0-89281-640-6.
  6. ↑ Downie, Andrew (1 January 2008). "On a Remote Path to Cures". The New York Times. Retrieved 11 August 2011.
  7. ↑ Branson, Richard (2011). Screw Business as Usual. USA: Penguin Group. pp. 236–240. ISBN 1-59184-434-7.
  8. ↑ "Globe:". Boards.radio-info.com. 2006-03-10. Retrieved 2011-09-03.
  9. ↑ Bulletin of Yale University, The Divinity School. Series 27.11. New Haven. Feb. 15, 1931.
  10. ↑ Somerville Baptist Church description: http://somerville.patch.com/listings/sommerville-community-baptist-church
  11. ↑ Stewart, Kimberly Lord. "Natural Products Jungle-Book". New Hope 360 interview. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  12. 1 2 "Zoe Helene Official Site". Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  13. ↑ Marriage Certificate: Amherst, MA, Reg# 59, Intention# 75, July 23, 2007
  14. ↑ Hendricks, Steve. "In the Jungle With Dr. Feelgood". News article January 2014. Outside Magazine. Retrieved January 2014.
  15. ↑ "About Zoe Helene". Medicine Hunter website. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
  16. 1 2 Roessler, Mark. "The Adventures of Black Vulture and Little Bear". News article August 2011. The Valley Advocate. Retrieved August 2011.
  17. ↑ Downie, Andrew (Jan 1, 2008). "On a Remote Path to Cures". The New York Times. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
  18. ↑ Kilham, Chris. "In search of nature's pharmacy". Ode Magazine. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
  19. ↑ "Partner Companies". Medicine Hunter website. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
  20. ↑ "Medicine Hunter". Fox News topics. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
  21. ↑ Helene, Zoe (December 2013). "Winter Wonderland: Artisan Gifts Inspired by Arctic Wildlife". Huffington Post. Retrieved Feb 2, 2013.
  22. ↑ Helene, Zoe (December 2013). "Yoga & Meditation: Good Karma Gifts of Dharma". Huffington Post. Retrieved Feb 2, 2013.
  23. 1 2 Helene, Zoe (February 2013). "A Perfect Heart-Shaped Seed: Higher Plants at Risk". Huffington Post. Retrieved February 2013.
  24. ↑ Helene, Zoe (Jan 18, 2013). "Master Guitarist and Ayahuasca Journeyer John Sheldon Creates Memorial Song for Yellowstone Wolf". Huffington Post. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
  25. ↑ Helene, Zoe (Nov 2012). "Teach Your Babies Well: Adorable, Life-Affirming Gifts for Little Ones". Huffington Post. Retrieved Nov 2012.
  26. ↑ Imperato, Gina (May 1999). "The Email Prescription". Fast Company. Retrieved Nov 20, 2013.
  27. ↑ Kitchen, Patricia (September 12, 1999). "Artistry for the Small Screen". Newsday. Retrieved Nov 20, 2013.
  28. ↑ Shapley, Deborah (January 1, 2000). "Dr. E-mail Will See You Now". MIT Technology Review. Retrieved Nov 20, 2013.
  29. ↑ Shapley, Deborah (August 9, 1996). "Marrying High Art with High Tech". Boston Business Journal. Retrieved Nov 20, 2013.
  30. ↑ Roessler, Mark (Aug 4, 2011). "The Adventures of Black Vulture and Little Bear". The Valley Advocate. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
  31. ↑ Thompson, Anne (Sep 18, 2008). "The World's Biggest Pharmacy May Have Short Shelf-life". NBC Nightly News. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
  32. ↑ Szymasek, Jennifer (January 2008). "A Medicine Hunter in Peru". The New York Times. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
  33. ↑ Downie, Andrew (January 2008). "On a Remote Path to Cures". The New York Times. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
  34. ↑ Kilham, Chris (November 2011). "In Search of Nature’s Pharmacy". Reality Sandwich. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  35. ↑ Kilham, Chris (Aug 4, 2011). "In Search of Nature’s Pharmacy". Ode Magazine. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  36. 1 2 Hendricks, Steve (January 2014). "In The Jungle With Dr. Feelgood". Outside Magazine. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  37. 1 2 "Exploring Nature's Pharmacy: A Talk with Medicine Hunter Chris Kilham". Reality Sandwich. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
  38. ↑ Main, Douglas (Jan 1, 2015). "Ayahuasca Can Help You Communicate with Plant Spirits, and Heal Your Body and Mind". Newsweek. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  39. 1 2 "A Medicine Hunter's Hallucinatory Healing Chris Kilham Evolver Ayahuasca Monologues NYC". Evolver. Retrieved November 2013.
  40. ↑ Mehmet, Oz. "Sex-Enhancing Plants". Oprah Radio. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
  41. ↑ Hopkinson, Natalie (Oct 16, 2004). "'Medicine Hunter' Stalks the Wild Libido Booster". Washington Post. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
  42. 1 2 "The Quest for What May Be Nature's Most Potent Aphrodisiac". The ABC News Nightline. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  43. ↑ McDougall, Andrew. "Naturex launches new natural revitalising ingredient fresh from the Amazon". Cosmetics Design Europe. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
  44. ↑ Boncampagni, Tatiana (18 April 2003). "Acai Replaces Wheatgrass In Blenders at Juice Bars". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
  45. 1 2 Flanagan, Graham. "A Professional Medicine Hunter Reveals The 5 Plants To Boost Your Sex Life". Business Insider. Retrieved August 2014.
  46. ↑ Wang, Jeanette. China Morning Post "Chris Kilham Scours the Planet for Plants with Medicinal Properties" Check |url= value (help). Retrieved October 2013.
  47. ↑ "Peruvian 'hot plant' may boost libido". CNN. Nov 1, 2010. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
  48. ↑ "Natural Cures, Part II". Dr. Oz Show.
  49. ↑ "Libido Boosting Plants". Good Morning America. ABC News. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
  50. ↑ "A Medicine Hunter in Peru". The New York Times. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
  51. ↑ Hopkinson, Natalie (16 October 2004). "'Medicine Hunter' Stalks the Wild Libido Booster". Washington Post. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
  52. ↑ "Food Prices Will Rise". Vegetarian Times. Oct 1998. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
  53. ↑ "Health Food Supermarkets? Why Yes, It’s Only Natural". New York Times. Jan 8, 1992. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
  54. ↑ Kilham, Chris (1993). Cowboy Marketing: How to Shoot From the Hip and Win on the Wild Frontier of Natural Foods Retailing. New Hope Communications.
  55. ↑ Shilton, AC (December 2015). "5 Stories of Adventurous Holiday Eating". Outside Magazine. Retrieved 21 January 2012.
  56. ↑ Kilham, Chris (May 2013). "Cannabis Use Associated with Lower Blood Sugar". FoxNews.com. Retrieved May 2013.
  57. ↑ Kilham, Chris (April 2014). "Introducing the American Cannabis Nurses Association". FoxNews.com. Retrieved April 2014.
  58. ↑ Kilham, Chris (20 April 2011). "Marijuana Compound Treats Multiple Health Issues". FoxNews.com. Retrieved 21 January 2012.
  59. ↑ Kilham, Chris (9 August 2010). "Patent on Pot". FoxNews.com. Retrieved 21 January 2012.
  60. ↑ Griggs Lawrence, Robyn (May 2013). "Is Marijuana Booming Among Boomers?". Forbes. Retrieved Nov 2013.
  61. ↑ Griggs Lawrence, Robyn (April 2015). "The Cannabis Kitchen Cookbook". Skyhorse. Retrieved April 2015.
  62. ↑ Alexander, Sheryll (October 2015). "Meet the World’s Top Cannabis Chefs". Skyhorse. Retrieved October 2015.
  63. ↑ Ettinger, Jill. "Lessons from the Forests: Medicine Hunter Chris Kilham". Organic Authority. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
  64. ↑ Hutson, Mathew (September 1, 2007). "On the Job: Medicine Man". Psychology Today. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
  65. ↑ Kilham, Christopher (2001). Psyche Delicacies: Coffee, Chocolate, Chiles, Kava and Cannabis, and Why They’re Good For You. Rodale Press. ISBN 978-1-57954-347-1.
  66. 1 2 3 Kilham, Chris (2014). The Ayahuasca Test Pilots Handbook - The Essential Guide to Ayahuasca Journeying. North Atlantic Books. ISBN 978-1-58394-792-0.
  67. ↑ Main, Douglas. "Ayahuasca Can Help You Communicate with Plant Spirits, and Heal Your Body and Mind". News article January 2015. Newsweek. Retrieved January 2015.
  68. ↑ Ducharme, Jamie. "Massachusetts Native and Professor Chris Kilham Is ‘The Medicine Hunter’". News article December 2014. Boston Magazine. Retrieved December 2014.
  69. ↑ Main, Douglas. "Ethnobotanist Chris Kilham: The Ayahuasca Experience". News article August 2014. Reset. Retrieved August 2014.
  70. ↑ Kilham, Chris. "Ayahuasca Test Pilots". Medicine Hunter. Retrieved May 2013.
  71. ↑ "Southwest Yoga Conference Presenters". Southwest Yoga. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
  72. ↑ "Inner Traditions". Medicine Hunter. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
  73. ↑ Kilham, Chris (2011). The Five Tibetans: Five Dynamic Exercises for Health, Energy, and Personal Power 2nd Edition. Healing Arts Press. ISBN 1-59477-444-7.
  74. ↑ Oz, Dr. Mehmet (Sep 18, 2008). "The Five Tibetans with Chris Kilham and Dr. Mehmet Oz". The Dr. Oz Show. Retrieved October 2012.
  75. ↑ Oz, Dr. Mehmet (Sep 18, 2008). "5 Anti-Aging Yoga Moves". Fox News Nature's Medicine Cabinet. Retrieved October 2012.
  76. ↑ Ettinger, Jill (April 2015). "Are Psychedelics a Gateway to a Thriving Meditation Practice?". EcoSalon. Retrieved September 2011.
  77. ↑ Şenol, Neşe (September 2011). "Psychedelic Yogi". Reality Sandwich. Retrieved September 2011.
  78. ↑ Morse, Steve (July 9, 1981). "CAMBRIDGE'S HIPPIE MEDICINE MAN; WHY CHRIS KILHAM PRACTICES WHAT HE PREACHES". Boston Globe.
  79. ↑ Miller, Laura. "Stalking the Wild Eleuthero: Chris Kilham is UMass Amherst’s Explorer-in-Residence". News article June 3, 2014. The Valley Advocate. Retrieved June 3, 2014.
  80. ↑ Gagnon, Mathew. "The Shaman's Pharmacy". UMass Amherst. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
  81. ↑ Kilham, Chris (1984). Stalking the Wild Orgasm. ACS Publications. ISBN 0917086554.
  82. ↑ Oprah Radio. Boost Energy with Adaptogens. Jan. 1, 2008 http://www.oprah.com/health/Adaptigens
  83. ↑ The Dr. Oz Show. The Tea Every Woman Should Drink: Matcha. http://www.doctoroz.com/episode/24-hour-body-cameron-diaz?video_id=3058862437001
  84. ↑ The Dr. Oz Show. Super-Powered Greek Coffee. http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/super-powered-greek-coffee-pt-1
  85. ↑ The Dr. Oz Show. The Five Tibetans with Chris Kilham and Dr. Mehmet Oz. http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/five-tibetans-medicine-hunter-chris-kilham
  86. ↑ The Dr. Oz Show. Alternative Medicine's Fountain of Youth, Pt 1. http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/alternative-medicines-fountain-youth-pt-1
  87. ↑ The Dr. Oz Show. Dr. Oz's Skin Care Plan: Schisandra 1. http://www.medicinehunter.com/schisandra-dr-oz2/
  88. 1 2 The Dr. Oz Show. Scents that Heal. http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/scents-heal-essential-oils
  89. ↑ The Dr. Oz Show. Natural Cures, Part I and Part II http://www.oprah.com/health/Adaptigens; http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/natural-cures-pt-1
  90. ↑ ABC News Good Morning America. Libido Boosting Plants. Feb. 1, 2010. http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/natural-cures-pt-1
  91. ↑ ABC News Good Morning America. Modern Day Medicine Man. Nov. 2, 2008. http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=6167143
  92. ↑ ABC News. Cocoa and the Kuna Indians of Panama. Apr. 4, 2011. http://abcnews.go.com/Health/video/cocoa-kuna-indians-panama-native-americans-chocolate-production-13402637

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