| About Herb Day |
|
The HerbDay Coalition is comprised of the American Botanical Council, United Plant Savers, the American Herbal Products Association, the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia, and the American Herbalists Guild. The first HerbDay was held on Saturday, October 14, 2006. Future HerbDay celebrations will be scheduled for the second Saturday in October. Participants in HerbDay include individuals, businesses, and organizations that share a love and passion for herbs and herbal medicine. These include herbalists and health care providers using herbs in their practice; authors, teachers and lecturers with expertise in herbs; herbal product manufacturers and marketers; retailers and distributors of herbal goods; botanical gardens, parks, and schools - and most importantly - the people who love to use herbs!
On HerbDay key industry members and the herbal community join together to present a nationwide message that is cohesive, honest, and positive about herbs and herbalism. The vision of HerbDay is realized each year when thousands of Americans have access to this message. HerbDay will continue to grow and spread (like any good, healthy plant!): Officially, HerbDay 2010 will be on Saturday, May 1, but each and every person who loves herbs is encouraged to celebrate HerbDay on any day of the year. Start your plans now and be sure to list your event!
|
HerbDay is a coordinated series of independently produced public educational events celebrating the importance of herbs and herbalism. HerbDay was conceived of by five nonprofit organizations with interests in herbs and herbalism (the HerbDay Coalition) to raise public awareness about the significance of herbs in our lives and the many ways herbs can be used safely and creatively for health, beauty care, and culinary enjoyment. Greater familiarity with herbs will increase informed use of herbal products and build public support for maintaining personal choice in the use of botanicals. 
Numerous harmonized, independent activities occur on HerbDay, and during the week leading up to and following the actual day, at locations such as retail stores, botanical gardens and parks throughout North America and around the world. HerbDay is decentralized in that hosting venues have significant autonomy in developing activities and design their own site-specific event(s). Events include lectures and workshops by locally and nationally known herbalists; book signings and talks by renowned herbalist-authors; herb walks guided by experienced botanists familiar with the regional habitat; in-store cooking demonstrations featuring fresh and dried herbs and spices; seasonal herbal handcrafts; in-store beauty product demonstrations; etc. Events hosted at retail venues also include presentations by herb company representatives, and hosting venues may also choose to include activities with herbal themes for children. In addition, each year the HerbDay Coalition produces a national “keynote” event at the United States Botanic Garden in Washington, DC.