Monthly Meetings

2020-2021

Our Next Monthly Meeting

Austin Herb Society monthly meetings feature great educational programs.

- Next Monthly Meeting -

July 6th @ 10am - Virtual on Zoom

"Member Social TBD"

by Austin Herb Society

Details TBD!

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 am - 12:00 noon

Want to attend as a guest?

Then email us at

for Zoom log in information.

Past Monthly Meetings

June 1st, 2021 "An Herbal Bouquet" by AHS Members

A trio of Austin Herb Society members will present “An Herbal Bouquet” of entertaining and informative gardening wisdom at the next AHS meeting at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 1 via Zoom.

Longtime member Sandra Holland will demonstrate how she creates small herbal bouquets in unique containers. Jennifer Chichester will share her knowledge on basil, including holy basil, and Kate Alsobrook will discuss growing and using parsley, the 2021 Herb of the Year.

Sandra, who is a Master Gardener, has been an active member of the Herb Society for many years. Sandra grew up in Metairie, La., where she enjoyed creating mini-bouquets using flowers from her mother’s abundant garden.

A former high school biology teacher, Jennifer retired and moved to Austin two years ago to further pursue her passion for gardening, which began in childhood. Jennifer serves on the Herb Society’s Programs Committee.

An AHS member since 2012, Kate has grown herbs, vegetables and flowers in her Austin garden for more than 40 years. The former AHS president delights in using her own homegrown ingredients to brew tea or prepare a meal.

May 3rd, 2021: "Unusual Herbs from Around the World" by Amanda Moon

We are used to cooking with many common herbs found in American kitchens- i.e. parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme as the song goes…but there are so many more exciting options to explore and learn to use. From Mexican and Mediterranean to Indian and Asian herbs, this talk looked at options you might not have thought about using before, but will wonder where they’ve been all your life when you do!

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

Amanda has a degree in Physical Geography and 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.

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.

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!

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.

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