By Linda Byrne
Editor

When Shari Anderson lectures on Saturday at the San Antonio Herb Market, her message will be an old one: there’s healing in the fruits of the Earth. Or more specifically, roots, leaves and flowers of herbs.

Anderson has been growing herbs at Omni Star Farm north of Boerne for almost 30 years.

“It’s been a lifelong love,” she said. “My grandmother was my first teacher. Her heritage was the Sioux (Native American) tribe, and she had nine children that survived to adulthood. She treated her kids with onions and honey.”

Anderson said she’s always looked for alternatives that run against the grain of American pharmaceutical practices.

“Herbal medicine is used around the world, in every country on Earth except America,” she said, adding: “I don’t believe in pills.”

Anderson votes for echinacea, better known as purple coneflower, as the top medicinal herb.

“You can use all parts, but the roots are best. It gives a real boost to the immune system,” she said.

Anderson’s other favorites are ginkgo biloba, used to stimulate circulation and improve memory; vitex, the seeds of which treat female hormone imbalances; and dandelions.

While these herbs may be found in many gardens, extracting their powers is something Anderson says requires knowledge and study.

She has a teaching garden at her farm to show students herbs in their growing environment. After an herbal lunch, students spend the afternoon creating. Anderson said each student learns to make a salve and a cough syrup as well as a tincture, which is an extract of herbal essence that can be taken straight or put in a cup of water or tea. Students also learn how to correctly dry herbs.

Her 2 p.m. lecture at the San Antonio Herb Market will spotlight calendula, the herb of the year, as well as focusing on using what’s available in the fall garden and herbs that are hardy enough to survive in the winter.

According to Anne Morris, spokesman for the market, other speakers on Saturday will discuss rainwater harvesting at 9 a.m., landscaping with herbs at 10 a.m., old-fashioned gardens at 11 a.m. and tool sharpening at 4 p.m. At 12:30 p.m., Chef Cathy Tarasovic of Cappy’s Restaurant will demonstrate a recipe from “Cooking with Les Dames de Escoffier” using Texas gulf shrimp with pesto.

Anderson is the author of two books, including “Green Remedies for the Family,” which she said will be out by Christmas. Whether the goal is treating sniffles or looking to alternatives to pharmaceuticals with unwelcome side effects, herbs can help, Anderson believes.

“We have to look for remedies that work,” she said.

Contact Anderson at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

San Antonio Herb Market

Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday

Place: Aggie Park,
6205 West Ave., San Antonio

Admission: Free (parking is limited)­­­