Lynn Smythe
Top 10 Herb Societies
March 19th 2008 17:38
American Botanical Council Logo
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.
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