Online Resources for National & International Herb Groups
Summary: Top 10 listing of national & international herb
societies, groups, clubs and organizations. Includes the website
address and a brief description of each society.
1. The Herb Society of America
The Herb Society of America is located in Kirtland, Ohio, near the
Holden Arboretum. Membership is open to individuals & businesses
with an interest in growing, processing and selling herbs and herb
related products.
Membership in the Herb Society of America includes an annual copy of
The Herbarist, the quarterly newsletter and access to many features on
the website that aren't availalbe to the public. The societies website
is a wealth of information including detailed profiles of individual
herbs.
The National Herb Garden, located in the U.S. National Arboretum, in
Washington, DC, was a gift from the society to the public. Completed in
1980, the National Herb Garden is situated on 2 1/2 acres and contains
hundreds of herb species.
2. Herb Society UK
The Herb Society UK was founded in 1927 by herbalist and author Hilda
Leyel (1880-1957). The societies current headquarters are located at
Sulgrave Manor, the ancestral home of Geroge Washington. The manor,
which dates to 1539, is home to the socieites herb garden and the
children's Living Earth Garden, both of which are maintained by
volunteers.
The Herb Society aims to increase the understanding, use and
appreciation of herbs and their benefits to health. Although the Herb
Society is located in Great Britain, members are located all over the
globe including the USA, South Africa and Europe.
3. American Herb Association
The American Herb Association was founded in 1981 and is located in
Nevada City, California. Kathi Keville, author of 11 herb and
aromatherapy books, is the director of the association with over 30
years experience working with herbs. Kathi is also editor for the
associations quarterly, 20 page newsletter which is included free with
membership.
4. American Botanical Council
Founded in 1988, the American Botanical Council has been educating the
public along with healthcare professionals on the safe and effective
use of herbs and medicinal plants. Membership in the council includes a
subscription to both the quarterly journal, the HerbalGram, and the
monthly online newsletter, the HerbalEGram.
The American Botanical Council is headquartered at the Case Mill
Homestead in Austin, Texas. Mark Blumenthal is the founder and
executive director of the council and the editor of HerbalGram. For six
years Mark was an Adjunct Associate Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at
the University of Texas at Austin, College of Pharmacy.
5. Herb Research Foundation
The Herb Research Foundation was founded in 1983 with the mission to
educate the public about the health benefits of herbs. The foundation
is the co-founder and co-publisher of the HerbalGram journal along with
the American Botanical Association.
Membership in the Herb Research Foundation includes a free subscription
to either the HerbalGram or Herbs for Health magazine. Membership
benefits also include a subscription to the quarterly newsletter, Herb
Research News, and a Herb Research Foundation tote bag.
6. National Institute of Medical Herbalists
Founded in 1863, the National Institute of Medical Herbalists is the
UK's leading professional body representing herbal medicine
practitioners.
7. The International Herb Association
The International Herb Association is located in Jacksonville, Florida.
The association was founded in 1985 and is a professional trade
association for herb related businesses. Membership benefits include a
copy of the associations quarterly newsletter, a copy of the yearly
herb of the year publication, a listing in the IHA Membership Directory
of Herb Professionals along with a listing in their online directory.
8. The American Herbalists Guild
Founded in 1989, the American Herbalists Guild primary goal is to
"promote a high level of professionalism and education in the study and
practice of therapeutic herbalism." Many of the founders of the guild
are big names in the herbalist world including Michael Tierra,
Christopher Hobbs, Steven Foster, Kathi Keville and Mark Blumenthal.
The American Herbalists Guild publishes a biannual journal on botanical
medicine.
9. United Plant Savers
The mission of the United Plant Savers is to protect native medicinal
plants of the United States and Canada and their native habitat while
ensuring an abundant renewable supply of medicinal plants for
generations to come.
10. Herb Growing & Marketing Network
The Herb Growing & Marketing Network is a trade association and
information resource service for herb businesses and serious hobbyists.
The network publishes The Business of Herbs, a online bimonthly trade
journal, and The Herbal Green Pages, an annual resource guide.
Take care,
The Backyard Diva
