Celebrating 5 years in publication with the current issue, The Essential Herbal is pleased to announce the recent addition of both Jeanne Rose (author of The Herbal Body Book, Herbs & Things, and 375 Essential Oils and Hydrosols) and Gail Faith Edwards (author of Traversing the Wild Terrain of Menopause, and Opening Our Wild Hearts to the Healing Herbs) as regular contributors to the magazine.

Manheim, PA (PRWEB) December 9, 2006 -- The Essential Herbal, a bi-monthly herbal interest magazine, is pleased to announce the addition of both Jeanne Rose and Gail Faith Edwards as regular contributors to the magazine. This coincides with the 5 year anniversary of the first issue of the magazine. Jeanne Rose is a well-known author of several books on herbs and essential oils, including The Herbal Body Book, 375 Essential Oils and Hydrosols, and Herbs & Things with over 40 years of experience. Jeanne is currently focused on essential oils and hydrosols with the Aromatic Plant Project.

Gail Faith Edwards has written both Traversing the Wild Terrain of Menopause, and Opening Our Wild Hearts to the Healing Herbs. Gail is well known for her work with plant allies.

5 years ago, after selling a successful herb shop that included a retail and wholesale handmade soap business, Tina Sams, editor of The Essential Herbal magazine, felt the demise of the warm herbal community that had once been so tangible. Starting as a hobby in Tina's living room, the publication has taken on a life of its own. Her mission statement: "The Essential Herbal is an ever growing magazine dispersing herbal lore and uses while allowing businesses and hobbyists alike to shine by sharing their knowledge."

Adding a website (www.EssentialHerbal.com) in the beginning of the third year, and a Yahoo discussion group in the fourth, the dream of rekindling the community has become reality. Readers know each other through articles and through the discussion group, and participate in joint articles each issue. Small businesses and folks who would never consider sending an article to a "big" magazine feel comfortable contributing to The Essential Herbal. Along the way, well-known herbalists like Susanna Reppert, Maureen Rogers, Geri Burgert, Susan Evans, and Mary Ellen Wilcox joined in, writing regularly for the magazine.