When to harvest mullein flowers, leaves, and roots
Mullein leaves, flowers, and roots are used in traditional Western herbalism. We will talk about how mullein is used in another article, but this one explains the basics for harvesting....
Best places to buy dried herbs online
There are many places to buy dried herbs online, but which ones are the best? Although I am a big proponent of shopping locally whenever possible, sometimes the only way...
My 2021 Botanical Bucket List
A few years ago (in 2014, actually) I wrote a post about setting herbal New Year's resolutions. It ended up becoming a sort of botanical bucket list. I just updated...
How to create an herbal materia medica
One of my favorite tools is my herbal materia medica. It's a personalized journal and herbal reference that makes it easy to look up herbs that I have studied. Essentially,...
How to Tell the Quality of Dried Herbs
Learning to judge the quality of dried herbs can be tricky. It's a skill that's built with experience. Growing your own herbs and drying them at home are the best...
Alcohol Free Herbs for the Home Apothecary
Steeping herbs in alcohol is a quick and simple way to extract and preserve their benefits. Alcohol-based herbal extracts are potent and have a good shelf-life, so it’s no wonder...
Making Herbal Smoking Blends from Scratch
Throughout history, dried herbs have been used to make incense, smudges, and herbal smoking blends. After all, there's something fascinating about the alchemy of herbs and smoke. Part of it...
A Review of The Modern Herbal Dispensatory
The Modern Herbal Dispensatory by Thomas Easley and Steven Horne is a valuable addition to any herbal home library. It's especially useful for home herbalists interested in taking their DIY...
How Many Herbs to Choose for an Herbal Formula
How many herbs to choose for an herbal formula is a common question for home herbalists. Read on for some things to consider as you create your next herbal blend....
What’s in My Everyday Carry Herbal First Aid Kit
Have you ever thought about building an herbal first aid kit, but weren’t sure where to begin? An everyday carry herbal first aid kit can be a great place to...