Holiday Gift Giving; United Plant Savers Membership

I know that those of you who follow my blog, know that I am an avid supporter of The United Plant Savers non profit organization. I am a memeber, and became one, because a very intuitive family friend and wonderful Alexander Technique teacher, thought to give me a membership for my birthday. I knew that Rosemary Gladstar had done some amazing charity and sanctuary work, even founding many herself. In all of the years that I have been studying her, I did not fully realize the extent of the sanctuary network until some years ago.

Rosemary Gladstar, Ashtree publishing

The Mission of The United Plant Savers organization is to protect the future of the planet's edible and medicinal herbs, which are quickly declining in the wild, do to over harvesting, deforestation and other detriments to their natural homes.
Many species are very difficult to cultivate ourselves due to their specific needs in their natural environment.

The way the plants grow, the strength and healing qualities are best defined when growing in these groupings, whereas they lack in quality and effectiveness where they are often grown separate in commercial agriculture

With a United Plant Savers membership, you gain access to online teaching materials, course work in herbalism, activism, an herbal journal and access to internships and just an abundance of useful information and seasonal rare seed and plant offers.

One of my favorite is their Golden seal give away, where they send you plants. This is a wonderful way to support the great Goldenseal sanctuary.


Goldenseal is still used in medicine today and is on the decline. It has been called the "Cure All" plant, and has been used in everything from mainstream medications to GNC supplements. It has a very long history as an antimicrobial and is a natural antibiotic - A very important aspect along with it's ability to fight ailments like Strep, UTI infections, acne, eczema, and can even strengthen the immune system to fight bacterial and fungal infections. It has been used for colds, digestive upsets, and any inflamed mucous membrane. Goldenseal can also alleviate sore throats, and intestinal, infections caused by microbes, such as traveler’s diarrhea.
The Goldenseal sanctuary has been established in Rutland, Ohio (great field trip Ohioans!)

 A membership or donation this season is a chance to do some good and to help our community.

Also: Goldenseal Sanctuary spring intern Ted Martello (aka TMello) is hiking the Appalachian trail as a fundraiser for United Plant Savers. TMello is proposing a penny for each mile he walks southbound from the beginning of the Appalachian Trail in Maine. His goal is to reach the trail's end by November or December, a total of 2175 miles (for a total of $21.75). 

The United Plant savers are also a platform for the voice of the Organic community, as an outlet for information and to work against  industry that hurts the environment, as well as a way to show the world what we can be, if we give ourselves the chance.

To sign up for a membership, or to give a great gift to a loved one, you can find all of the information you need on their home page: http://www.unitedplantsavers.org/

Wishing everyone a wonderful Holiday season! ~ Much Love~ Kat