Monthly Meetings

2020-2021

Our Next Monthly Meeting

Austin Herb Society monthly meetings feature great educational programs.

- Next Monthly Meeting -

May 4th @ 10am - Virtual on Zoom

"Unusual Herbs from Around the World"

with Amanda Moon

Many folks are used to cooking with common herbs found in American kitchens - i.e. Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme - as the song goes! However, there are several other exciting options to explore and learn to use. From Mexican and Mediterranean, to Indian and Asian herbs, this class will look at options you might not have thought about using before. But once you try them, you'll wonder where they’ve been all your life!

Amanda has been working in the horticulture industry in central Texas for more than 25 years. She has experience in retail and wholesale sales, production, and landscape installation for both residential and commercial properties. She currently works as an independent landscape and gardening consultant and designer.

Amanda holds a degree in Physical Geography with minors in Horticulture and English from Texas State University. Her hobbies include working out in the garden, collecting every weird herb and veggie she can, road trips to National and State parks, and playing off-road in her Jeep!

Email us at

for Zoom log in information.

Austin Herb Society

monthly meetings feature

educational programs.

Please join us!

1st Tuesday of each month (Except August)
10:00 -12:00 noon

Want to attend as a guest?

Then email us at

for Zoom log in information.

Past Monthly Meetings

December 1, 2020 - Reflections, Connections & 'Confections

Our December Holiday meeting has always been special—a time to meet and chat, shop with our sponsors, show off our holiday sweaters or ornament earrings that light up, and sample tried-and-true or new edibles. We've always celebrated in a magical atmosphere decorated by our own Roberta Showerman and our hospitality teams.

This year we want to pay homage to all of that with our program, "Reflections, Connections & Confections," at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1 on Zoom. Our program agenda includes some recollections of past events, a history of our involvement in the garden, words from some of our sponsors, and a toast to ourselves!

We strongly suggest that you wear your holiday sweater or other festive garb and, if possible, add some seasonal glitz to your Zoom background. We’ll include time for comments and recollections to connect us all as we go forward. See you soon!

January 5, 2021

Cleopatra’s Beauty Secrets - The Anti-Aging Powers of Plants

By Valkyrie Lang

Cleopatra is known for her seductress qualities and mythological beauty. Legend has it that she harnessed the power of nature to enhance her beauty and influence Roman politics. Join us for a fun and informative talk where we will learn Cleopatra’s Beauty Secrets and ancient recipes for becoming a timeless beauty.

Speaker Info:

Valkyrie Lang is the creative genius and formulator of A Natural High, a company she started in 2000, where she formulates and manufactures her own line of anti-aging skin care and medicinal herbal formulas.

Val holds a certificate in Homeo-Botanical Therapy, representing 1400 hours of study from the American College of Healthcare Sciences. Trained in Herbalism and Aromatherapy, Val is a longtime member and sponsor of the Austin Herb Society.

Although she now works full-time as a Financial Advisor, Val still offers her line at www.anaturalhi.com and loves sharing the wisdom of plants!

February 2, 2021

Four Seasons of Soup with Herbs By Karla Renaud & AHS Culinary Group

Karla Renaud and other members of the AHS culinary study group will present their
favorite delicious unusual soups for each season that use our Texas grown fresh or
dried herbs. Recipes and tips will be shared. When possible, Instant Pot, Slow Cooker
and Stovetop versions will be provided. Q&A afterward.

Karla loves to cook for small or large groups and uses lots of herbs. She has a
background in Traditional Chinese Medicine where food and herbs are seen as the first
step towards health. To challenge herself, she once cooked an “all fennel” 4-course
meal for 25 people using the fennel bulb, fronds, seeds and pollen! She likes to eat
soup every day, and cooks a new soup every week. Her favorite herb is tarragon.

If you are not already a member of AHS, and want to attend the meeting as a guest,

we’d love to have you!

March 2, 2021

The Excitement of Herbs

For our March meeting, Bill Varney spoke to us about the excitement of growing and using herbs. He called in from his workshop, so we got an eagle-eye view of how Bill creates! Not only did he demonstrate four recipes (link TBD), but captivated us with stories of his beloved customers and how he got where he is today. Bill definitely succeeded in exciting us with his knowledge and expertise!

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William (Bill) K. Varney

William Varney is the Founder and Former owner of Fredericksburg Herb Farm, which he sold in 2007 and started URBANherbal. He is co-author of "Herbs Growing & Using the Plants of Romance" and "Along the Garden Path." He became interested in plants and gardening at the young age of eight, later graduating with a B.S. in Business and a Minor in Horticulture.

In 1985, Bill moved to the quaint town of Fredericksburg after spending time in Houston TX as a buyer for the landscape division of a large nursery. His small herb shop grew into the four-acre Fredericksburg Herb Farm, boasting gardens, shops, a day spa, restaurant, bed & breakfast, and herbal manufacturing warehouse. Today, URBANherbal is an herb shop and more - with gardens and a classroom for various topics on gardening, hebs, and cooking. Bill is a self-taught chef who has developed award-winning condiments, cooked at the James Beard House in NYC, and has appeared on the Food Network.

Bill is ever mindful that individual's lives can be enriched through the experience of herbs: in their gardens, kitchens, baths, medicine chests, homes, and places of worship.

For more information, visit:

April 6, 2021

Managing Pain and Inflammation

Our April speaker was AHS sponsor member and clinical aromatherapist Fai Chan, who owns and operates Deli Aroma LLC.

Fai Chan began her career in 2014, when—as a student—she had already published research findings in international journals. In 2015, she served on the board of Alliance of International Aromatherapists, a world-leading aromatherapy association, and was also chair of its publication committee.

Regarding the importance of this month's topic, Fai points to a Harvard Health study that indicates that more than 90 percent of our illnesses are caused by inflammation, which eventually leads to pain of various degrees. “We are going to look at arthritic pain—even rheumatoid arthritis—and prediabetic to diabetic self-care protocols,” she explains, adding that she will also talk about incorporating modern technology into these protocols to achieve maximum results.

“You need to know which protocols you are using and the goals and results you are looking for,” Fai states. Her therapies are based on traditional Chinese medicine combined with pharmacology for synergistic effect. While many people look to self-care techniques like yoga, fitness and other natural therapies to find relief, she emphasizes, “When it is time to seek medical advice, please do so rather than relying on any self-care protocols.”

Deli Aroma is dedicated to holistic healing protocols and research. Grounded by pharmacology, Fai specializes in treating psychiatric/neurological issues, diabetes/rheumatoid arthritis, pneumonia, apnea, severe insomnia and anti-aging.

NOTE: During the week of Fai’s presentation, she will donate 20 percent of her sales to Xiang Yun Buddhist Temple and, business magnate Elon Musk will match her donation by 10 times.