The world of herbalism is substantial, but a few tips can help calm the overwhelm and get you learning in no time.
Herbalism is an incredibly immense world. As a beginning herbalist (or even one just starting to look into herbalism), it can be a temptation to want to do ALL THE THINGS, all at once. This is a sure recipe for burnout. Slowing down, evaluating your interests and needs, and doing one project at a time will ensure success. Having the right tools and resources, along with finding others who are also on the same journey, will make this adventure enjoyable and fruitful.
What is herbalism, anyway?
Herbalism is, quite simply, the study or use of the medicinal properties plants. Most of us use herbs every day. Do you drink tea when you have a cold? Perhaps you’ve used aloe on a burn. Many ethnic foods use various herbs that aid in digestion (even though we don’t always think of that while we’re enjoying them!). Does the smell of lavender calm your frenzied heart and help you breathe a little deeper, even for a moment? We use herbs more than we probably realize, and studying them will only enhance our use and appreciation of these verdant gifts.
Where to start with your herbal journey?
Taking some time and asking yourself a few basic questions is a great place to start.
- Why am I interested in herbalism?
- What ailments am I hoping to help through the use of herbs?
- What is my budget in starting my home apothecary?
When looking to learn herbalism and build your own apothecary, I recommend taking some time and listing out ailments or conditions you’d like to help through the use of herbs. Does your spouse suffer from seasonal allergies? Are your kids prone to warts, slivers, or scrapes? Do you want to have first aid supplies ready for a variety of situations? Make a list. A great thing about herbs is that many have several healing properties that cover a variety of ailments, so building your apothecary will be easier (and less expensive) that you think. The knowledge you gain about a particular herb can most often be applied in many areas!
Take the exploration you’ve done in examining your needs and interests, and start a binder or notebook. Keep written track of ideas you have. As you learn more, add in any notes taken, printables you find useful, and recipes you have tried or would like to try. Gathering related information together will only aid you in the future when you are looking for answers.
I’ve created an herbal notebooking page to get you started! Click here to download.
Gather Some Information
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NB: I am not a medical doctor or health care provider. Any information in this post is informational only. If you have any questions related to your health, supplements, etc., please contact your care provider.
A helpful first step is to obtain a trustworthy resource. One of the best books for someone interested in herbal remedies is Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide. Not only is it comprehensive, but it has gorgeous photos and recipes. Are you looking for specific help with something? Check the index, and spend some time reading up on the herb that is great for that ailment. Chances are, it helps more things that you could imagine!
A few more initial books I’d recommend are The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies by Nicole Apelian and Claude Davis and The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood. The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies has an abundance of herb profiles, plant identification information, and herb use and remedies. It truly is a worthwhile investment! The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy is a comprehensive resource on essential oils and their uses, remedies, recipes, and will contain ideas for treating any ailment you could throw at it.
Having a few books at your fingertips will aid in quick answers to pressing questions. When you have a trusted resource at your disposal, you can feel confident in caring for your family with herbs.
Narrow Down Your Angle
Now that you’ve taken care of gathering information, it can seem overwhelming with where to start, even after nailing down some specifics. Start by choosing one or two specific herbs to look into more closely, or choose a particular ailment to explore farther. The key is to choose only one or two things. There will be time to learn about all the herbs! For now, be exclusive and thorough.
Say you choose the herb lavender. What properties does it have? How have people used it in the past? Where does it grow? How can it be sourced and used? What herbal remedies can be prepared using it? Are there any contraindications for its use? How can it help my family?
Or, perhaps you’re looking into help for migraines. Which herbs are most helpful? What preparations are most effective? How are these herbs used? Am I able to source the herbs and/or pre-made tinctures and other remedies? Keep a log of herbal use and it’s affects.
Time to jump in!
And now, the real fun begins! We’ve explored interests. We’ve found great resources and narrowed down our topics. It’s time to get hands-on and actually work with the herbs.
Again, choose one or two remedies to start, based on your initial research. Many herbal preparations require very little equipment or time; once you jump in a make your first herbal preparation, you’ll see just how easy it can be. At the end of this post, I’ve linked some helpful supplies that you may like to have for creating your herbal preparations (and you may already have most in your kitchen!).
The first herbal preparation I ever made was a postpartum sitz bath soak. The most difficult part of creating this was waiting for my herbs to arrive in the mail! Preparations like bath soaks and teas are simply discovering the herbs you want to use based on their actions, and blending them together. Then use.
After the bath soak, I made a tincture – pouring vodka over herbs, capping, and waiting (with a little shaking of the jar in between). At first I felt so overwhelmed with how to start, but once I jumped in with both feet, you could hardly keep me out of the kitchen – I was having so much fun making herbal remedies!
Stay tuned for forthcoming posts on specifics related to making particular preparations (teas, tinctures, infused oils, etc.)!
A Few Closing Notes
A big thing to keep in mind with herbalism is that the actions of the herbs are different than pharmaceuticals. We are used to taking a pill and expecting a desired result in 30 minutes. Herbs are effective and powerful, but work differently than a substance created in a lab. To get the best results out of your herbs, consistent and frequent use (depending on the herb) is important.
Also, doing thorough research into an herb and it’s actions and contraindications is important, especially if you have allergies or are taking pharmaceuticals. Talking with a care provider is a good course of action.
Careful sourcing of herbs is tantamount. Buying bulk herbs from a reputable distributor is important for the purity of the herbs and sustainable sourcing practices. Organic is your best bet. Look into the company you are purchasing from and how they operate. My two primary recommendations are Frontier Co-Op and Starwest Botanicals, but Mountain Rose Herbs, Pacific Botanicals and The Bulk Herb Store are also reputable suppliers. Both Frontier and Starwest products can be found on Amazon.
Herbalism is a huge field of study, and sometimes you will come up against contradicting theories. Find some other like-minded people to study with you and flesh out these discrepancies. Make herbal preparations together. Swap herbs. Ask each other for suggestions. Not only will you learn more, but you’ll grow in your relationship with other beautiful humans. That’s more than worth it, I’d venture!
So go get started! Starting slowly with herbalism will grow your knowledge base in a manageable, enjoyable way. Get good resources, and connect with friends. Then start building your apothecary. You can do this!
Some Helpful Supplies
Reusable Wide Mouth Mason Jar Lids
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