Dr. Bove earned a bachelor’s degree in clinical psychology from Trinity College of Vermont in Burlington, Vermont, in 1977, a diploma of phytotherapy from the School of Herbal Medicine in Tunbridge Wells, England, in 1987, and In 1988, she became an elected member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists in London. She earned her doctorate in naturopathic medicine (ND) from Bastyr University in 1990, and a certificate of midwifery from the same institution in 1991. She owned and managed the Brattleboro Naturopathic Clinic in Brattleboro, Vermont, where she practiced general family medicine, naturopathic midwifery, and pediatrics from 1993 to 2014.
Since 2014, Bove has been a freelance writer, lecturer, and educator and a consultant for many natural and botanical supplement companies, with which she is involved with botanical formulation, education, and research. Bove also has been an adjunct faculty member at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Boston (2008–2010), The Scottish School of Herbal Medicine in Glasgow, Scotland (2004–2010), and the Tai Sophia Institute (now the Maryland University of Integrative Health) in Laurel, Maryland (2003–2010).
She was a consultant for BioSan Laboratories, Inc. (the former producer of the brands MegaFood® and Innate® Response Formulas) in Derry, New Hampshire, where she was involved with botanical and nutritional formulation and education (2003–2011), and for Gaia Herbs, previously in Massachusetts and now in Brevard, North Carolina, where she was involved with education and development of GaiaKids® Supplement Collection for children (1996–2014). As the medical educator and formulator for Gaia Herbs from 2014 to 2019, she was involved with formulating herbal supplement products and educating sales representatives, staff, consumers, and professional health care providers through lectures, webinars, and podcasts.
For Better Nutrition magazine, Bove wrote a monthly column focusing on women and children’s health (2004–2006). She has been a lecturer and speaker at various international herb, midwifery, and naturopathic conferences and symposia.
With Linda Costarella, ND, Bove wrote the book Herbs for Women’s Health: Herbal Help for the Female Cycle from PMS to Menopause (Keats Publishing, 1997). Bove’s book An Encyclopedia of Natural Healing for Children and Infants (Keats Publishing, 1996; 2nd ed., 2001) is considered a leading reference on natural pediatric medicine.
At Bastyr University, Bove was the chair of the Botanical Medicine Department (1991–1993), co-chair of the Midwifery Department (1991–1992), and member of the teaching faculty in the Botanical Medicine Department and Midwifery Department (1989–1993). At Evergreen Natural Health Clinic in Seattle, she practiced general naturopathic medicine, specializing in gynecology, midwifery, and pediatrics (1990–1993).
She received the Fredi Kronenberg Award for Women's Health in 2025 from the American Botanical Council.
Bove was also a lecturer and teacher of herbal topics through regional organizations in southern Maine (1979–1984). At Ram Island Farm in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, she managed and cultivated organic medicinal and culinary herbs and flowers and managed retail, wholesale, and mail-order sales throughout the United States (1981–1984). And, in Portland, Maine, she opened and operated a retail herb store, Hippocratic Herbarium, which sold dry herbs, books, and herbal products (1978–1981).
Speaking from her own professional experience and on behalf of ABC, Tieraona Low Dog, MD, who received the inaugural ABC Kronenberg Award for 2017 and who is now a member of ABC’s Board of Trustees, endorsed Bove for the award. “For more than three decades, Mary Bove, ND, has been a beloved midwife, herbalist, naturopathic physician, and educator, caring for thousands of people who have sought her guidance in using natural medicine for their families,” Low Dog wrote. “Her book, An Encyclopedia of Natural Healing for Children and Infants, has helped many parents, and more than a few pediatricians, feel confident in using herbal medicines for even the youngest among us. While many have sought her out for her knowledge and clinical acumen, it is her warm and down-to-earth way of moving in the world that makes her a treasure in our community. Dr. Kronenberg would be delighted that Dr. Bove is receiving this award in her honor.”
In late 2024, Dr. Bove was diagnosed with cancer and underwent extensive surgery. She completed several rounds of chemotherapy and her health was improving as of March 2025, but unfortunately she when declined and ultimately died on 9 June 2025.
(Most of this text from https://www.herbalgram.org/news/press-releases/2025/naturopathic-physician-and-midwife-mary-bove-receives-2025-abc-fredi-kronenberg-award-for-womens-health/)
Since 2014, Bove has been a freelance writer, lecturer, and educator and a consultant for many natural and botanical supplement companies, with which she is involved with botanical formulation, education, and research. Bove also has been an adjunct faculty member at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Boston (2008–2010), The Scottish School of Herbal Medicine in Glasgow, Scotland (2004–2010), and the Tai Sophia Institute (now the Maryland University of Integrative Health) in Laurel, Maryland (2003–2010).
She was a consultant for BioSan Laboratories, Inc. (the former producer of the brands MegaFood® and Innate® Response Formulas) in Derry, New Hampshire, where she was involved with botanical and nutritional formulation and education (2003–2011), and for Gaia Herbs, previously in Massachusetts and now in Brevard, North Carolina, where she was involved with education and development of GaiaKids® Supplement Collection for children (1996–2014). As the medical educator and formulator for Gaia Herbs from 2014 to 2019, she was involved with formulating herbal supplement products and educating sales representatives, staff, consumers, and professional health care providers through lectures, webinars, and podcasts.
For Better Nutrition magazine, Bove wrote a monthly column focusing on women and children’s health (2004–2006). She has been a lecturer and speaker at various international herb, midwifery, and naturopathic conferences and symposia.
With Linda Costarella, ND, Bove wrote the book Herbs for Women’s Health: Herbal Help for the Female Cycle from PMS to Menopause (Keats Publishing, 1997). Bove’s book An Encyclopedia of Natural Healing for Children and Infants (Keats Publishing, 1996; 2nd ed., 2001) is considered a leading reference on natural pediatric medicine.
At Bastyr University, Bove was the chair of the Botanical Medicine Department (1991–1993), co-chair of the Midwifery Department (1991–1992), and member of the teaching faculty in the Botanical Medicine Department and Midwifery Department (1989–1993). At Evergreen Natural Health Clinic in Seattle, she practiced general naturopathic medicine, specializing in gynecology, midwifery, and pediatrics (1990–1993).
She received the Fredi Kronenberg Award for Women's Health in 2025 from the American Botanical Council.
Bove was also a lecturer and teacher of herbal topics through regional organizations in southern Maine (1979–1984). At Ram Island Farm in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, she managed and cultivated organic medicinal and culinary herbs and flowers and managed retail, wholesale, and mail-order sales throughout the United States (1981–1984). And, in Portland, Maine, she opened and operated a retail herb store, Hippocratic Herbarium, which sold dry herbs, books, and herbal products (1978–1981).
Speaking from her own professional experience and on behalf of ABC, Tieraona Low Dog, MD, who received the inaugural ABC Kronenberg Award for 2017 and who is now a member of ABC’s Board of Trustees, endorsed Bove for the award. “For more than three decades, Mary Bove, ND, has been a beloved midwife, herbalist, naturopathic physician, and educator, caring for thousands of people who have sought her guidance in using natural medicine for their families,” Low Dog wrote. “Her book, An Encyclopedia of Natural Healing for Children and Infants, has helped many parents, and more than a few pediatricians, feel confident in using herbal medicines for even the youngest among us. While many have sought her out for her knowledge and clinical acumen, it is her warm and down-to-earth way of moving in the world that makes her a treasure in our community. Dr. Kronenberg would be delighted that Dr. Bove is receiving this award in her honor.”
In late 2024, Dr. Bove was diagnosed with cancer and underwent extensive surgery. She completed several rounds of chemotherapy and her health was improving as of March 2025, but unfortunately she when declined and ultimately died on 9 June 2025.
(Most of this text from https://www.herbalgram.org/news/press-releases/2025/naturopathic-physician-and-midwife-mary-bove-receives-2025-abc-fredi-kronenberg-award-for-womens-health/)
For HerbalGram's tribute to this amazing woman, click here.
You can hear the audio/video of Mary talking about her life story here (requires paying for the lecture recording).
Jus Crea Giammarino, ND (left) and Mary Bove, ND (right) with a pregnant patient.