In December of 2009, the American Botanical Council (ABC) developed and released its first set of beautifully-designed Herbal E-Cards. Since then, ABC has continued to expand this service by adding new electronic greeting cards, which ABC members and anyone who has registered on the ABC website can send for free to friends, family, and others.

Currently available cards include birthday cards for the months of December through June, as well as special holiday cards for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, and the winter holidays. All cards are illustrated with a high resolution botanical photograph taken by noted photographer and author Steven Foster, plus a description that includes the plant’s common and Latin name, habitat, and traditional uses.

In addition to the cards for specific occasions, users can send a “Thinking of You” card, featuring Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgoaceae), or health cards, featuring Echinacea purpurea (Asteraceae) for colds, elderberry (Sambucus nigra, Caprifoliaceae) for flu, ginkgo for heart health, and valerian (Valeriana officinalis, Valerianaceae) for better sleep. (The description on each card is for informational purposes only and not meant to substitute for the advice of a qualified healthcare professional.)

“ABC Herbal E-Cards are an easy, educational, and fun way to connect with friends and colleagues,” said ABC Founder and Executive Director Mark Blumenthal. “Herbal E-Cards are fast, environmentally friendly, and support and promote the role that herbs and other beneficial plants play in our culture. At the same time, using the Herbal E-Cards is a way to support and promote the nonprofit educational mission of ABC.”

With new cards being added regularly, ABC members and registered users should soon be able to send an informational ABC Herbal E-Card for just about any occasion.

E-cards are available on ABC’s website at www.herbalgram.org. In order to prevent spamming, users can send cards to 10 people at a time but no more than 3 cards per hour.

—Kelly E. Lindner