Florida Herb Society makes exotic herbs accessible

CLEARWATER (FOX 13) - Dill, mint, and rosemary are common herbs – easily grown in backyard gardens or even potted in the kitchen window.

Anyone looking to expand their knowledge or usage of a wider variety of herbs, roots, and remedies, may want to join the Florida Herb Society in Clearwater.

FOX 13’s Chip Brewster got a crash course on herbs and spices – plus a recipe for a flu-fighting tonic – from the society’s president, Linda Nash Stevenson.

The Florida Herb Society has been around for 46 years. Stevenson has been the president for 15 years.

The group hosts herbalists from all over the region to educated members on planting, caring for, harvesting, and using native and non-native herbs, roots, and remedies.

Nash showed Chip a recipe for a tonic she called a preventative for flu and cold-type ailments, made from herbs, roots, and fruits, including turmeric, peppers, thyme, oregano, ginger, citrus, and garlic.

Membership to the Florida Herb Society is $25 a year and includes all society activities and events. They meet the third Tuesday of every month at the Moccasin Lake Nature Park.