Beginner’s Guide to Herbalism

What Is Herbalism? A Beginner’s Guide to the Practice of Plant Medicine

Herbalism is the practice of studying and using plants for medicinal purposes. By learning about the medicinal properties of different plants and utilizing techniques to extract their qualities, herbalism offers an alternative approach to health and wellness. With a rich history dating back to ancient societies across the world, herbalism has been a cornerstone of healing for centuries.

In this article, I’ll share my personal journey with herbalism and offer insights for beginners looking to learn more about this transformative practice.

Harvesting hibiscus flowers at The Republic of Corn.

My Herbalism Journey: A Five-Year Exploration

Five years ago, I embarked on my herbalism journey by completing a nine-month herbalism training program at The Hawthorn School of Plant Medicine in the Pacific Northwest, United States. This immersive experience introduced me to the world of plant medicine and helped me develop the knowledge and skills to practice herbalism responsibly and intentionally.

During this training, we traveled to various sites across Washington and Oregon to harvest plants and create medicines. I learned ethical harvesting techniques, how to grow my own herbs, and how to make tinctures, powders, and salves. Today, I continue my herbalism practice, growing my own herbs and creating homemade products.

Getting Started with Herbalism: Resources and Tools

If you’re new to herbalism, Mountain Rose Herbs is a fantastic resource. This website offers free educational materials, including podcasts, YouTube videos, and books on plant medicine. They also provide sustainably sourced organic herbal products like teas and essential oils. Most importantly, they have a wide range of base supplies for creating your own herbal products.

Harvesting lemongrass and ginger for teas and propagation. 

Does Herbalism Really Work? Exploring the Science and Tradition

The question of whether herbalism "works" is common, especially in a world dominated by modern Western medicine. The truth is, herbalism is the original form of medicine, practiced long before pharmaceutical drugs were developed. Many of the plants used in herbalism have been shown to have real medicinal benefits, and plant-based medicine continues to be an integral part of healthcare in many cultures.

In fact, herbalism is experiencing a revival as people seek natural alternatives to corporate medicine and modern pharmaceuticals. This renewed interest in plant medicine reflects a growing awareness of nature’s healing potential.

Types of Plant Medicine: Basic and Advanced Techniques

Herbalism encompasses a variety of methods for preparing plant medicines. Whether you’re simply brewing a cup of tea or creating more advanced tinctures and essential oils, these practices have been passed down through generations.

Basic Forms of Plant Medicine:

• Tea: Steeping dried herbs or plant material in hot water to extract medicinal properties.

• Capsules: Filling gelatin or vegetable-based capsules with powdered plant material for easy consumption.

• Salves/Lotions: Combining plant material with a carrier substance (e.g., beeswax or coconut oil) to create topical products.

Advanced Forms of Plant Medicine:

• Decoction: A method of boiling plant material in a smaller amount of water to create a concentrated extract.

• Tincture: Using alcohol (or vinegar) to extract medicinal properties from plant material over time.

• Essential Oils: Extracting concentrated medicinal compounds from plants through distillation.

How to Practice Herbalism: What You Need to Know

What Do You Need to Start Practicing Herbalism?

• An Open Heart and Intuition: Herbalism requires you to listen to your intuition and connect with the plants you work with. Ethical and mindful harvesting practices are essential to building a sustainable and respectful practice.

• Plants: Of course, you can’t practice herbalism without plants. Start by growing your own herbs, which gives you full control over their cultivation and harvesting.

• Tools: Some basic tools include a hori-hori (for harvesting plants), pruners, and containers for storing your herbal products. For making tinctures, you'll need alcohol and glass jars for storage.

How to Start Practicing Herbalism

Step 1: Set a Clear Intention

When starting your herbalism practice, it’s important to have a clear intention. For example: "I want to go to Scatter Creek Prairie to harvest Yarrow and create a tincture to help with menstrual cramps."

Step 2: Be Mindful of Permission and Ethics

Make sure to get permission before harvesting plants, whether they’re from a friend’s garden, a local park, or the wild. Also, always consider the sustainability of your harvest, and practice propagation to ensure plant populations remain healthy.

Step 3: Begin with Easy-to-Grow Herbs

Starting your own herb garden is one of the easiest ways to practice herbalism. Growing herbs like basil, rosemary, oregano, and lemon balm will provide you with medicinal plants you can use right from your backyard.

Basic tools for plant harvest include a knife and hori-hori, which allows us to harvest plants by the roots without damaging them. 

The Ethics of Herbalism: Respecting Nature’s Gifts

Practicing herbalism is about more than just making medicines; it’s about fostering a relationship with the plants you work with. Here are a few key ethical considerations when working with plant medicine:

1. Permission

Before harvesting any plant, always ask for permission. Whether you’re harvesting from your garden or from the wild, respect the land and its resources. If you don’t have explicit permission, don’t harvest.

2. Propagation

Ensure that you’re leaving the environment better than you found it. When possible, propagate plants before you leave a harvest site to encourage sustainable growth. This is particularly important when foraging wild plants.

3. Intuition

Trust your intuition when harvesting. Pay attention to the needs of the plant and the ecosystem, and harvest only what’s necessary. Be mindful of how much you take and always leave enough for the plant to continue thriving.

4. Care

Practice care in every aspect of your herbalism practice. From the tools you use to the environment in which you work, ensuring cleanliness, organization, and proper labeling is essential for creating quality herbal products.

Conclusion: The Healing Power of Plants

Herbalism is a powerful tool for healing and wellness, offering a deep connection to nature’s wisdom. Whether you’re new to the practice or have been working with plants for years, there is always more to learn. I encourage you to explore, experiment, and listen to the plants—they have much to teach us.

If you’re interested in learning more or have any questions about getting started with herbalism, feel free to reach out. I’d love to hear about your own experiences with plant medicine!

Establishing your own garden, greenhouse, or nursery where you live will help you advance your herbalism practice by cultivating your own medicinal plants. 

Labelling to keep track of seeding as well as lunar cycles helps cultivate a careful, conscious, and grounded herbalism practice. 

take care of yourself and all the plants you know out there,

xo Lex