Herbs of Summer 2025

Sometimes I wish I could photosynthesize

so that just by being,

just  by shimmering at the meadow’s edge

or floating lazily on a pond,

I could be doing the work of the world

while standing silent in the sun.

~Robin Wall Kimmerer

Summer Greetings Beloved Community,

In a culture that often confuses what is of value, I am deeply grateful for our communities of plants and their people.  Direct action comes in many forms.

It manifests in support of our local farmers, in making medicine for someone in need, in growing food, in raising our children who know they are valued and loved,

loving one another regardless of their current physical embodiment.

And so it is with regard and gratitude that we offer the following fresh herbs for the next short while:  

Agrimony herb (Agrimonia eupatoria)                             SOLD OUT*

Bacopa/Brahmi herb (Bacopa monnieri)                         COMING SOON
Blue vervain herb (Verbenahastata)                  
Calendula orange flower (Calendula officinalis)  
California poppy whole plant (Eschscholziacalifornica)
Catnip herb (Nepeta cataria)    
Clary sage flw tops (Salvia sclarea)                                
Echinacea leaf/flower (Echinacea purpurea                    COMING SOON
Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) herb                                   SOLD OUT*
Hawthorn berry (Cratageusspp.)                                     COMING SOON
Hops strobile (Humuluslupulus)                                      COMING SOON
Lavender flower (Lavandula x intermedia)
Lemon balm  herb (Melissa officinalis)                            LAST CALL
Mullein leaf (Verbascum spp.)
Olive leaf (Olea europaea)
Passionflower herb (Passiflora caerulea)
Peppermint herb (Mentha piperita)
Self heal herb (Prunella vulgaris)                                  LIMITED AVAILABILITY
Skullcap herb (Scutellaira lateriflora)                             COMING SOON
Spearmint herb (Mentha spicata)
Olive leaf (Olea europea)
Passionflower herb (Passiflora caerulea)

Peppermint herb (Mentha piperita)

Rose buds (Rosa spp.)
Rose petals (Rosa spp.)
Rose geranium herb (Pelargonium graveolens)
Rosemary herb (Rosmarinus officinalis) herb

Saint John’s/Joan’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)        LAST CALL FOR ORDERS

Self heal herb (Prunella vulgaris)

Spearmint herb (Mentha spicata)

Thyme herb (Thymus vulgaris)
Tulsi herb (Ocimum x africanauum)
White sage herb (Salvia apiana)
Wild lettuce whole plant (Lactuca virosa)
Wormwood herb (Artemisia absinthium)
Yarrow flw, lf/flw (Achillea millefolium)                          SOLD OUT*

Yerba mansa whole plant (Anemopsis californica)

FROM THE SEA:
All dried

Bull kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana) frond
Nori (Porphyra perforata) leaf
Ocean ribbon (Lessionopsis littoralis) leaf
Sweet kombu (Hedophyllum sessile) leaf
Wakame (Alaria marginata) leaf

Sweet Kombu is a new item that we are offering this season.

Hedophyllum Sessile or Sea Cabbage or Sweet Kombu is a brown seaweed that has cabbage-like leaves.  It contains complex polysaccharides that produce a sweet and salty flavor as well as mucilage such as Kombu. The combination coats the intestines and is anti-inflammatory and cooling.

Wonderful to put in soups, make teas, and use in the bath for repeated skin use.

You can also make vegan jerky using this fine gift from the sea.

For the items listed but are sold out (*), it is suggested that one makes their pre-order early in the season so they can access some of these in demand herbs.

The SCHE provides on a first request, first receive basis. If you have placed a pre-order for the 2025 season, your requests will be offered first, in the order in which those orders are received. If you have not yet placed your pre-order for the 2025  season, you can do so by sending an email with the herbs you would like receive, preferably listed in alphabetical order by common name, and if you know the botanical name, include that for the sake of clarity, noting plant part (root, herb, berry, bark, etcetera) You can find plant parts that are offered for each plant on the price lists available here (scroll down and look for price lists on the right):
https://www.sonomaherbs.org/herb-exchange

Include the amounts you want for each herb, and we will assume you want fresh herbs unless you specify dried.
Please note that dried herbs are offered as available.
We ask a minimum of 1/2 lb per fresh herb request. Herbal offerings, including prices and projected availability for fresh herbs can be found here (scroll down and look for price lists on the right):
https://www.sonomaherbs.org/herb-exchange

If you are not inclined to place your order for the entire season, you are welcome to request herbs by the week. To do so, 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.
You can join here: www.sonomaherbs.org/membership
If you have any questions about your membership status, please do not hesitate to inquire. Your support is appreciated.

Step up

Speak out        

Show up

Be loud

May joy find you each and every day.

Thanks for showing up.

In community,

Barbara Jean (BJ) Avery, Director