Herbalist Day is a holiday observed annually on April 17th that honors the individuals who strive to identify the root cause of a medical condition or illness and then treat it using herbs. Herbalists have existed for thousands of years, utilizing their knowledge of plants to create teas, oils, skin creams, and capsules for treating various conditions.

Herbalists also educate us about self-care and how we can maintain our health. We believe these contributions are significant enough for them to deserve their own holiday, don’t you agree?

The History of Herbalist Day

According to internet lore, this holiday was created by the Herbal Academy of New England in 2014. Although we have been unable to independently verify whether this is true, we have seen this notation mentioned on several websites.

Interesting Facts About Herbs

Below are some facts about herbs that we have learned. These facts are fun to share with friends on this holiday.

• The green leafy parts of a plant used to season food are known as herbs.
• Spices are any part of a plant, other than the leaves, that are used for seasoning food.
• Herbs are used for medicinal, culinary, and sometimes spiritual purposes.
• In India, turmeric has been used for medicinal purposes for over 6,000 years.
• Egyptians established herbalist schools over 5,000 years ago.
• The Greeks believed bay leaves could protect against lightning, sorcery, and disease.
• Herbs contain essential oils that can be extracted to make cosmetics, perfumes, soaps, and other products.

Observing Herbalist Day

This holiday is an excellent opportunity to give thanks to an herbalist or to learn more about herbalism. On this day, people can also use the hashtag #HerbalistDay on their social media accounts to spread awareness about this holiday.