Tending your plant journey since 1997.
The Herbal Highway has been providing free herbal knowledge on the airwaves and in podcast for over 25 years.
For a limited time we offering Herbal Highway merch for the first time in the show’s history! Pick up limited-edition t-shirts, totes, stickers, and mugs here on the Blue Otter site. And make sure to tell other Herbal Highway fans to scoop them up while they’re available!
What is the Herbal Highway?
The Herbal Highway is a weekly radio show and podcast that is dedicated to providing free herbal information to the public. The Herbal Highway enhances the community’s knowledge of herbal medicine and alternative choices to standard medical practices for healing. The producers of The Herbal Highway actively support and promote Indigenous land rights, protection of sacred sites and the sustainability of the Earth as integral parts of individual, community and global healing.
The Herbal Highway was Karyn Sander’s vision which she now maintains through the support of Sarah Holmes who also hosts the show. Both Karyn and Sarah volunteer their time to produce and host the program. The Herbal Highway has been airing live on public radio since 1997. In 2018 Emiliano Lemus and Renée Camila joined the team of hosts.
The Herbal Highway airs on KPFA, the oldest public radio station in the country. KPFA is completely listener sponsored and is located in Berkeley, California. You can listen live through the web and listen to the archives anytime. Episodes have been archived on the KPFA website since 2003.
Black Earth Wisdom – 08.31.21
Join Karyn Sanders and her guest, B. Anderson for a discussion of healing and Black Earth Wisdom. B. is an herbalist, earth worker, somatic and music therapy practitioner and founder and steward of Song of the Spirit.
Honoring our Elders: Doña Enriqueta Contreras – 10.26.21
Join Sarah Holmes for another segment in our series, Honoring our Elders. In this episode, Sarah interviews Doña Enriqueta Contreras Contreras, curandera, midwife and teacher. Doña Queta resides in Oaxaca, Mexico. They are joined by Elisa Marina Alvarado graciously translating.
Fermentation and Health – 08.24.21
Join Emiliano Lemus with guest Sandor Katz as they discuss the health benefits of fermented foods, beverages, and even plant medicines. Sandor is a fermentation revivalist whose books and teaching have helped catalyze a broad revival of the fermentation arts during the last 20 years. His new book, “Fermentation Journeys: Recipes, Techniques & Traditions from Around the World,” will be released in October.
Mental Health During the Pandemic – 4.14.20
Continuing our “Support During the Pandemic” series, Emiliano Lemus talks about taking care of our nervous systems and staying balanced emotionally during the Coronavirus epidemic. We’ll discuss herbs for stress, anxiety, the blues, grief, fear, boundaries, and more.
Herbal First Aid for Protests – 6.09.20
Join Sarah Holmes and her guests Olympia Beltran and Dixie Pauline for a discussion of how to utilize herbal first aid at protests and gatherings. Olympia and Dixie have many years of street medic experience and have done this work together in support of Run4Salmon.
An Indigenous Perspective on Wildcrafting
Join host Karyn Sanders as she shares her perspective on wildcrafting, or gathering plants from the wild; exploring the politics and ethics of this practice.
Honoring our Ancestors and Strengthening Community – October 31, 2013
Listen in to Sarah Holmes as she talks about honoring and connecting with our ancestors, how this can help us to strengthen community, and the plants that can support us in this work.
Interview with Robin Wall Kimmerer
Sarah Holmes interviews Robin Wall Kimmerer about her new book Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants.
Interview with David Winston – August 8, 2013
Karyn Sanders interviews David Winston. Originally aired July 14, 2011.
The Herbal Highway – September 5, 2013
Karyn Sanders, talks in depth about various herbs.
Self–Care for Caregivers – September 12, 2013
Join Sarah Holmes for a discussion of supporting caregivers with herbs and essences.