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.

The date for HerbDay 2008 is Saturday, October 11. If you would like to register an event, or be available as a teacher or find events in your area, go to www.herbday.org.

The first HerbDay was held on Saturday, October 14, 2006. The second annual HerbDay was Saturday, October 13. And in 2008, it will officially be on October 11. Some folks celebrate before, during and after that day. Participants in HerbDay 2006 brought together 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 and families who love to use herbs! HerbDay 2008 will be just as much fun!

The entire herbal community is invited to participate actively in HerbDay 2008, either by hosting an event or providing sponsorship in the form of financial support. Now is the time to start developing ideas for local HerbDay activities to ensure that every community celebrates the wonders of herbs. Visit www.herbday.org to review the initial menu of ideas that the HerbDay Coalition has developed, and to register to tell others what you are planning to do to join the herbal celebration. The website will be the primary location to organize and disseminate information about HerbDay activities and resources.

HerbDay is a coordinated series of public educational events celebrating the importance of herbs and herbalism through harmonized, independently planned activities that will occur on October 11, 2008, and/or during the days leading up to and following that date. Activities will occur at retail stores, botanical gardens, and parks throughout North America. HerbDay activities will be designed by each hosting venue, which will have broad latitude in selecting its own events, such as lectures and workshops by well-known herbalists; herb walks; in-store cooking demonstrations featuring herbs and spices; seasonal herbal handcrafts; in-store herbal beauty product demonstrations; presentations by herb company representatives; activities with herbal themes for children; etc.

Five national nonprofit organizations— American Botanical Council (ABC); American Herbalists Guild (AHG); American Herbal Pharmacopoeia (AHP); American Herbal Products Association (AHPA); and United Plant Savers (UpS) — are working together as the HerbDay Coalition to launch this event.