A Visit to the Herb Capital of Ohio

By Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman

Gahanna is a gorgeous city in Franklin County, Ohio. Despite being a suburb of Columbus, it has that small town feeling. This small town has made it its mission, for the last four decades, to be the Herb Capital of Ohio. The town is home to the Ohio Herb Foundation Center, an incredible Creekside herb and perennial park, an incredible herb garden, and the businesses in town join together to be part of the Herbal Trail.

Ohio Herb Education Center in Gahanna, Ohio. Photo by Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman
Ohio Herb Education Center in Gahanna, Ohio. Photo by Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman

Located along Mill Street, the Ohio Herb Education Center, offers herbal educational sessions, herbal crafts, the Geroux Garden Tour, and an herbal shop. Classes offered have been Herbal Wedding Traditions, Powder Room Apothecary, Cold and Flu Apothecary, Herbs for Survival, and Herbs in the Kitchen. The herbal retail section of the Center includes body care items bulk herbs, tea accessories, tea, jams, honey, educational books, and essential oils.

Geroux Garden. Photo by Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman
Geroux Garden. Photo by Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman

The Geroux Garden is actually located a couple blocks away, between the Gahanna City Hall and the Gahanna Police Department … and it is beautiful. The Ohio Herb Foundation Center does offer guided tours but it is also a public area. It features a wisteria arbor amidst a plethora of herbs and perennials.

The Center is also home to the Gahanna Herb Group. Each month, from September to May, this group studies a different herb. The herb is studied from a botanical perspective as well as a historical and folklore perspective. They also learn how to grow herbs and how to incorporate them into what they already have in their own gardens.

Gahanna Herbal Path. Photo by Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman
Gahanna Herbal Path. Photo by Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman

Alongside the creek in town is an herbal garden walking path. Many retailers are Herbal Trail Partners, including the Honey Grove Botanicals, the Community Garden at Friendship Park, the Center for Therapeutic Massage, and the Ohio Herb Education Center. Several other retailers are partners as well.

A trip to Gahanna is a must do if you happen to find yourself in the Franklin County area of Ohio.

© Therapeutic Thymes, 2016

Author: Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman

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