Herbal Highway’s 25th Anniversary!
The Herbal Highway turns 25 in 2022! Join us in celebrating a quarter century’s worth of free herbal knowledge on the airwaves and in podcast.
On the show, we have some special programming this year. The third Tuesday of each month we’re airing an episode of The Herbal Highway from our early years that hasn’t been heard since it originally aired! Catch these vintage episodes during our normal broadcast time or on The Herbal Highway’s Podcast.
We are also 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!
With each merchandise purchase, you are helping us raise funds to on of our favorite Bay Area organizations:
Sogorea Te’ Land Trust is an urban Indigenous women-led land trust that facilitates the return of Indigenous land to Indigenous people. Through the practices of rematriation, cultural revitalization, and land restoration, Sogorea Te’ calls on Native and non-native peoples to heal and transform the legacies of colonization, genocide, and patriarchy and to do the work our ancestors and future generations are calling us to do.
What is the Herbal Highway?
The Herbal Highway is a weekly radio show 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 Episodes have been archived on the KPFA website since 2003.
Folk Medicine During Pregnancy – 1.07.20
Join guest host Renée Camila as she discusses safe herbs and practices to support the physical, emotional, and spiritual bodies during pregnancy.
Support During the Pandemic – Part One – 3.24.20
Listen in while Sarah Holmes discusses self care and community care during the pandemic.
Support During the Pandemic – Part Two – 3.31.20
Listen in while Sarah Holmes discusses self care and community care during the pandemic; a continuation of last week’s program.
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.
Cancer Prevention – July 11, 2013
Listen in with Sarah Holmes and a discussion of cancer from a preventive standpoint.
Interview with David Winston – August 8, 2013
Karyn Sanders interviews David Winston. Originally aired July 14, 2011.
Back to School! – August 22, 2013
Sarah Holmes shares herbal strategies for a good transition back into the school year.
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.
Interview with Deb Soule – October 3, 2013
Karyn Sanders interviews author and herbalist Deb Soule about her new book: How to Move Like a Gardener
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Chamomile: Big Medicine – 07.06.21
Join Renée Camila for an intimate look at Chamomile. Often overlooked yet very powerful, she explores their folklore, magic, and medicine.