Fresh Herbs of December 2025

  There is a divine presence that transcends all your ideas about it.

                                                      ~Barbara Brown Taylor

Greetings Beloveds,

As we approach the end of the 2025 season at the Sonoma County Herb Exchange, I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks to be involved in this amazing community. Yes, I work hard. Everyone I know works hard. I get to work hard at something I believe in. 

I offer gratitude to the Board of Directors of the overseeing non-profit entity, the Sonoma County Herb Association, without whom the Herb Exchange would not exist. The Board consists of a group of diligent folks who work hard without much glitter, nor fanfare. 

Yet they show up month after month to do their part.

And to the growers and the makers, and our amazing group of volunteers.

It takes each one of us to do our part.

Thanks everyone for showing up in good faith with your well worn pair of work boots.

What you do, makes a difference.

And now for the plants… without whom we would not be having this conversation….

Thank you for your medicine, and for your patience. 

And above all else, thank you for inviting me to pay attention. 

The best gift of all.

                                                SEASONAL OFFERINGS

Root season, there will be little bits of berries and herb (aerial parts) until the weather turns cold as the season of Winter approaches.  

As follows:

Angelica  (Angelica archangelica) root *  LIMITED AVAILABILITY                                 

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root

Blackberry (Rubus ursinus) root

Burdock (Arctium lappa)  root

Calamus (Acorus calamus)  root
Comfrey (Symphytum officinalis) root                        
Culver’s (Veronicastrum virginicum) root LIMITED AVAILABILITY

Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) root      SOLD OUT                           
Elecampane (Inula helenium) root          
Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.)   berry

Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) root
Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis)  root   SOLD OUT    

Poke (Phytolacca americana) root  *              

Tulsi Vana (Ocimum gratissimum)_ herb  LAST CALL

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) rhizome                        
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) root                                    
Yellow Dock (Rumex crispus) root

FROM THE SEA:
(All dried)

Bull kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana) leaf

Nori (Porphyra perforata) leaf
Ocean ribbon (Lessionopsis littoralis) leaf

Sweet Kombu (Hedophyllum sessile) leaf D
Wakame (Alaria marginata) leaf

Our last sales day for the 2025 season will be December 9th

Herbs marked with an * will be harvested for sale on December 2nd…. 

Yup that will be next Tuesday.

Please have your requests for herbs submitted by Wednesday, for pick up or delivery the following Tuesday, given the parameters we have in place as stated in the above.
We are asking all buyers to support the overseeing non-profit entity, the Sonoma County Herb Association, by being a member. 

If the Association goes away, so does the Herb Exchange.

 If you have any questions about your membership status, please do not hesitate to inquire. 

We can add your membership to your invoice, or you can join here: 
https://www.sonomaherbs.org/membership
Your support is appreciated.

We ask a minimum of .5 lb per herbs for each fresh herb request. 

Prices can be found here: https://www.sonomaherbs.org/herb-exchange

We will be posting prices for the 2026 season in January.

Please make sure you send your pre-orders for the 2026 season.

If you are interested in volunteering at the Herb Exchange for the 2026 season, it’s a great way to get to know our plant relatives and the communities of folks that hold them with regard. Just reach out via email to herbexch@sonic.net with your interest and we will send you information about the opportunities that await. 

If you would like to place a pre-order for the 2026 season, we will accept on January 1st.

This is a very good way to make sure you get the herbs you want for your medicine chest for the season.

Please note that the Herb Exchange is a first request first provide venue. To place a pre-order, respond to this email, or send an email to herbexch@sonic.net with the following information:
List your herbs in alphabetical order, and if you know the botanical name, please include for the sake of clarity. 

Include the part you are looking for: aerial parts (herb), root, berry, leaf, etcetera.

Include the amount you want to for each herb, and whether you prefer fresh or dried herbs. Please note we ask a minimum of ½ lb per fresh herb request.

Dried herbs are offered as available.

Here’s an example:

2 LBS   BURDOCK ROOT (Arctium lappa) ROOT, DRIED
1 LB     CHRYSANTHEMUM (Chrysanthemum morifolium) FLOWER, FRESH
3 LBS   NETTLES (Urtica dioica) HERB, FRESH

Peace.

It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. 

It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.

                                                          ~Anonymous                

May joy find you each and every day.  

Thanks to the plants in their wisdom and generosity.

With deep gratitude,

~BJ 

Barbara Jean (BJ) Avery, Director