Home

The CPA Herbalist

Growing Wisdom, One Herb & One Story at a Time

Welcome to The CPA Herbalist—where accounting meets the forest.

I am Rosafilipina Lazaro Burcer, a retired Certified Public Accountant from the Philippines and a lifelong student of herbal medicine, gardening, and nature.

This website is a journal of faith, stewardship, and lifelong learning. It is where I share stories from my garden, lessons from our family's privately owned forest in Occidental Mindoro, reflections on God's creation, and evidence-informed information about Philippine medicinal plants.

Although accounting and herbalism seem worlds apart, they have shaped my life in remarkable ways.

Accounting taught me discipline.

Auditing taught me to seek evidence before reaching conclusions.

The forest taught me patience, stewardship, restoration, and humility.

Together, these experiences continue to shape the way I learn, observe, and serve.


My Journey

People often ask me,

"What are you doing now that you've retired?"

My answer is simple:

I never stopped learning.

For nearly fifteen years, I practiced as a Certified Public Accountant. Later, I married a forester whose work introduced me to reforestation projects, topographic maps, Indigenous communities, and the remarkable wisdom found in nature.

Walking beside him changed my perspective.

The forest became more than trees waiting to be measured.

It became a classroom.

Over the years, life led me through many different seasons.

I became an entrepreneur.

A forester's wife.

A mother.

Later, a widow.

A craftswoman.

A writer.

An online learner.

And eventually, a formally trained Herbalist Practitioner.

Each season prepared me for the next.

Looking back, I now realize that God was teaching me long before I recognized the lessons.


My Nine Seasons of Learning

Every chapter of this website tells part of that journey.

Season 1 — From Spreadsheets to Stewardship

Season 2 — Learning Restoration from What Was Discarded

Season 3 — Walking Beside a Forester

Season 4 — When God Restored My Confidence

Season 5 — From Timber to Stewardship

Season 6 — Finding My Voice Online

Season 7 — From Timber to a Garden of Herbs

Season 8 — My Formal Studies in Herbalism

Season 9 — From Timber to a Lifelong Student

Every season taught me something different.

Every season brought me closer to where I am today.

I invite you to begin wherever your curiosity leads you.


What You'll Find Here

This website is more than a collection of articles about medicinal plants.

It is a place where I share:

Personal experiences from the forest and countryside

Practical gardening lessons

Evidence-informed information about Philippine medicinal plants

Reflections on faith, stewardship, and lifelong learning.

Stories of restoration, resilience, and hope I deeply respect the traditional knowledge that has been carefully preserved through generations. At the same time, I value scientific research and formal education. My goal is to learn from both with humility, responsibility, and respect.


My Approach

My background as a Certified Public Accountant still influences the way I study herbal medicine.

I believe good learning begins with careful observation.

It grows through curiosity.

It is strengthened by evidence.

And it is guided by humility.

That same mindset led me to pursue formal studies in herbalism through Accredi-Pro University, where I graduated with Distinction and the academic honor of Cum Laude.

While I am grateful for that achievement, I consider it another step—not the destination.

Herbal medicine is a field that requires continual learning, responsible practice, and respect for both science and tradition.

I remain, first and foremost, a lifelong student.


A Gentle Disclaimer

The information shared on this website is intended for educational purposes and to share my personal experiences.

Although I completed formal studies in herbalism and qualified as a Herbalist Practitioner, I do not claim to know everything, nor do I believe herbal information should replace professional medical advice.

Always consult your physician or another qualified healthcare professional before using medicinal herbs, especially if you have existing medical conditions, are pregnant, or are taking prescription medications.

I also encourage responsible stewardship of our natural resources by respecting Philippine environmental laws, including regulations that protect native plants and forests.

I do not sell or recommend herbal supplements that are not approved by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA).


Come Walk With Me

This website tells the story of a woman whose journey led from numbers to nature.

From spreadsheets to stewardship.

From the boardroom to the forest.

From timber to herbs.

From professional practice to lifelong learning.

Looking back, I realize that every season of my life had a purpose.

Every lesson prepared me for the next.

And every step brought me closer to appreciating the wisdom of God's creation.

Whether you are an experienced gardener, curious about medicinal plants, beginning your own herbal journey, or simply searching for inspiration for life's next chapter, I hope you will find something here that encourages you to keep learning, keep growing, and keep discovering.

Thank you for visiting The CPA Herbalist.

I invite you to walk with me—

Walking with God. Learning from Nature. Sharing with Purpose.

Growing Wisdom, One Herb & One Story at a Time.

"The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it."Genesis 2:15