You’re here because you’re interested in herbalism but you might be a beginner or just getting back into it.
Great news. You only have to do one thing to be an herbalist!
Study & practice herbalism.
Can you go to school for it? Yes! Can you get certifications? Of course. Do you need any of that to treat your family with herbs that can grow in your backyard and beyond?
Nope.
You don’t need to be a wise, witchy woman, hunched down in the flowers speaking to them. You don’t need to be a PhD candidate whose first word was asteraceae. And you don’t need to only use herbal medicine and nothing else. You can use herbs and occasionally take some ibuprofen! You’re off the hook!
All silliness aside. I am a Christian. I practice herbalism. I’m no expert. I’ve not been doing it for a decade. I often reference books, videos, and podcasts that feature people further along their learning than I am.
But I still love telling others about how God’s creation can be used to heal, soothe, nourish, and empower them. How interacting with the plants he’s made can make us feel closer to him and help us understand why he put us in a garden in the beginning.
Do you want to learn more about herbalism and aren’t sure where to start? Here are some reads I love and recommend:
Beginner Herbalism Books
–Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine by Andrew Chevallier
–The Homesteaders Herbal Companion by Amy K. Fewell
–Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health by Rosemary Gladstar
Another thing I recommend is starting with just one or two herbs and learning them really well. The three herbs I would recommend for beginners, because of their access, being kid-safe and having multiple uses:
Three Easy Herbs to Use
–Dandelion (edible from flowerhead to root)
–Lemon Balm (great for teas and grows easily)
–Calendula (this one will be one of your favorites topically)
Supplies for Herbalism
-Notebook or binder: This will be to keep all the information you learn about herbs. Most herbalists call this their “materia medica”.
-Dried herbs to play with! It is essential to use a supplier you trust that isn’t spraying, growing in contaminated soil, or using fillers, etc. I trust Mountain Rose Herbs. You can also find local health food stores that will carry herbs.
-Glass jars with lids to store herbs, oils, tinctures, and other herbal preparations.
-Small tins for salves.
-Small dropper bottles for tinctures.
-Vodka for tinctures. You can use other things like vegetable glycerine and apple cider vinegar, but I prefer this.
-Strainer for preparing teas.
-Oil for infusing. Most people use olive oil, coconut oil, or sunflower seed oil to start.
So now what? Start reading and learning! Talk to friends who work with plants. Write down everything you learn about the herb in your notebook. Become allies with the plant. Learn every use of it and try it yourself. You’ll find herbs that you love working with the most (like lavender or elderberry) and others that you feel more nervous using when first starting out.
This is normal and good! Listen to your instinct when it comes to which herbs seem interesting or useful to you.
I just want to encourage you that while there is never-ending information on this topic, you really don’t need to know it all to start making natural remedies for your family. There is something so beautiful about growing, harvesting, and creating medicines and meals from God’s good earth.
You’ll find a lot of personalities and opinions out there. Stick with your values, remember the reason you’re wanting to learn, and have FUN! You’re going to mess up. But you’re also going to feel the delight herbalism can bring to your life.
I’m happy to welcome you into the world of herbalism! Let’s create together!
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