Learning Herbs Part Two
Missed Part One- click HERE
Let’s continue on shall we in the wonderful world of herbs. There was soooo much information that I wanted to share with you but it can be overwhelming so I had to narrow it down so today let’s talk about……
- cold stratifying some of those seeds
- a video on my herb setup in doors
- energetics (which I find super fascinating)
- how to use herbs
- how to make a tincture
- how to harvest & dry herbs
- recommended resources all below!
Want to take a deeper dive into herbs I have two courses to check out!
Important Note: I am not a certified medical practitioner. This information is not intended to treat or diagnose anyone. Please do your research and consult a health care professional before implementing herbal remedies. Please consult your medical care provider before using herbal medicine, particularly if you have a known medical condition or if you are pregnant or nursing. View entire Disclaimer HERE.
Always properly identify your herbs prior to use
Cold Stratification
Some seeds need this process because it mimics nature, a freeze and thaw repetition. Certain herbs require doing this prior to planting either as a seed start or direct sow. You moisten a paper towel, spread the seeds out and place in a zip loc bag in your fridge a few weeks prior to planting- it’s as easy as that!
How to Cold Stratify Seeds
I prefer to use a paper towel inside a Ziplock bag. They don’t take up a lot of room and make a great little greenhouse environment. It’s cheap and you can reuse the bags again and again. Once they have been in the fridge for a few weeks I will then plant them indoors following the same rules as my Step by Step Seed Starting Course and then planting them outdoors in my herb garden.
- Using clean water, dampen a paper towel and place onto a plate.
- Sprinkle your seeds onto the paper towel
- Place into your ziploc bag and close.
- Write on the bag the date and seed name.
- Check periodically that seeds aren’t drying out.
- Leave in fridge for 4 to 6 weeks (Date will depend on your spring frost date)
Seeds I have used this method on is:
- Lavender
- Feverfew
- Poppy
- Marshmallow
- Yarrow
Starting Your Herb Seeds Indoors
Good video to watch how I plant my herb seeds!
Energetics
Herbs have energetics which is the physical sensation you will experience when using a herb. They help bring balance to the body and it helps to know the herbs energetics in order to help with your ailment.
For Example: You have a fever when your shivering and cold, you should try a “warming” herb.
A Quick Glance
| Cooling | Warming |
| Calendula | Astragalus |
| Chamomile | Black Pepper |
| Comfrey | Cayenne |
| Dandelion | Cinnamon |
| Echinacea | Eucalyptus |
| Horehound | Fennel |
| Lavender | Garlic |
| Lemon Balm | Horseradish Root |
| Licorice Root | Onion |
| Marshmallow Root | Pine Needle |
| Mullein | Rosemary |
| Nettles (Stinging) | Sage |
| Peppermint | |
| Plantain Leaf | |
| Rose Hips | |
| Spearmint | |
| Yarrow |
| Drying | Moistening |
| Astragulus | Comfrey |
| Black Pepper | Licorice Root |
| Calendula | Marshmallow Root |
| Cayenne | Mullein |
| Chamomile | Pine Needle |
| Cherry Bark | Plantain Seed |
| Cinnamon | Slippery Elm Bark |
| Dandelion | |
| Echinacea | |
| Elderberry | |
| Garlic | |
| Ginger | |
| Horseradish Root | |
| Lavender | |
| Lemon Balm | |
| Nettles (Stinging) | |
| Peppermint | |
| Rosehips Rosemary |
|
| Sage | |
| Spearmint | |
| Yarrow |
How to Take Herbs
Tinctures – Tinctures are alcohol extracts of herbs that has a long shelf life
Teas – Create a tea by preparing the dried or fresh herb into just under boiling water. Keep lid on to trap the goodness from escaping. Let cool, add honey if you’d like and enjoy. 1 -2 teaspoons dried herb to 1 cup (8 oz water)
Capsules– Dried herbs can be put into capsules
Fresh – Enjoy some plants in their simplest form by adding to soup or salad
Herbal Tinctures
Tinctures are herbs extracted by using alcohol. If you would not like to use alcohol you could use glycerin. However the alcohol is very minimal and does a much better job at extracting the properties from the herb. I like using the “folk method” for my tinctures.
Simply fill a jar with fresh or dried herbs. Cover with 80-100 proof alcohol. Any will do, I use Organic Vodka for my tinctures. Cover and keep it protected from light for 2-6 weeks. Strain and store in amber dropper bottles or other glass containers just keep away from light.
Recommended Resources
- Amber Tincture Bottles
- Kitchen Scale
- Dehydrator – Stainless steel and works great!!
How to Harvest & Dry Herbs
Recommended Dehydrator – Stainless steel and works great!!
I bought this for my husband I swear so he could make jerky….but alas I took it over and it works great on drying herbs and spices!
1. Rule of thumb: prune often and receive more
2. Rinse and let dry from 12 hours to a few days on a towel
3. Remove larger leaves from stems in order to dry quicker
4. Dehydrate per directions. This is my favorite Dehydrator because it does not use plastic! Cosori https://amzn.to/3XLHGNB
5. Mark everything all along the process so you do not get them mixed up. Trust me it happens
6. Remove and let air dry until your completely sure its dry before you store in a glass jar out of the sunlight.
Video to enjoy! What I’m harvesting in June
