When it comes to essential tools needed as a new herbalist, you can go as complicated or as simple as you’d like. You can get away without a ton of equipment, and I would encourage you to start small and expand as you have the budget. Embarking on the journey of herbalism is both exciting and rewarding. Whether you are integrating herbal practices into your homesteading lifestyle or simply passionate about natural remedies, having the right tools is crucial. This comprehensive guide will explore the essential tools every new herbalist needs, ensuring you are well-equipped to start your herbal journey.
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Beginning Your Herbal Journey
This is an exciting time for you! You’re going to be learning so many new and varied ideas and concepts about plants and plant medicine, and it could be all to easy to become overwhelmed. This is why I encourage you to start small and build, not only in your knowledge of herbal plants, but the essential tools needed as well.
Quick Tips:
- Start collecting books and other resources, even if you’re investing in courses from an herbal school. It is very important to have many good resources to cross reference and to have varying view points. Find books that have herbal information pertaining to Ayurveda, CTM (Chinese Traditional Medicine) and western herbalism, as well as field guides in your area.
- I’d highly suggest thoroughly studying one herb at a time. Learn everything you can about it, including how to grow it, even if you’re not planning on doing so. Make simple remedies using it. Immerse yourself in it. If you’ve chosen to learn about nettles, make infusions, tinctures and salves from it and use it to find out how you respond to it.
- Finding equipment can be as expensive or as cheap as you make it! You can find jars on clearance, at yard sales, from relatives who are getting rid of their collection or thrift stores. It is cheaper to buy tincture bottles in bulk and Costco is a good place to find vodka for tincturing at a decent price. Hunt for your equipment, and realize that you need quite a bit less than you might think!
So what equipment do I really need to get started?
Jars and lids
It goes without saying that besides the herbs themselves, jars and lids are the most important pieces of equipment needed in herbalism. Jars are so versatile and useful! I absolutely recommend any canning jar, from Ball to Kerr, these jars are standardized in size and shape as well as strength. Try finding jars at estate/yard/garage sales, as they will generally be the cheapest there. Thrift stores (not Goodwill, their jar prices are astronomical!) are another excellent place to find cheap jars. You can never have enough jars, but make sure you’re getting lids, too! I love the regular canning lids and rings, but the plastic canning jar lids, are great, as well.
Foraging equipment
For foraging or harvesting your own herbs you’ll need a basket and some scissors. Regular kitchen scissors are fantastic, and I get mine from Costco in bulk. I am always losing scissors. Baskets from thrift stores are perfect harvesting vessels, but you can also buy or make a harvesting bag if you prefer. A field guide is an excellent addition to your foraging tools. It is vitally important to have a good understanding of your local flora and fauna and to have a tool that will help you identify anything you’re not familiar with yet.
Tools for drying herbs
There are many ways to dry herbs, and you will soon realize that some sort of herb drying equipment is a essential for herbalists.
- The easiest and cheapest method of drying herbs is to tie them into a bundle and hang them to dry, and the best way of tying the herbs is to use a rubber band. The rubber band will contract as the herbs dry and lose volume.
- Another method is to buy a herb drying rack. Opt for a sturdy, spacious drying rack with multiple tiers, which allows for proper air circulation and prevents mold growth. Mesh drying racks are particularly popular due to their breathability and ease of use.
- A quick but easily controlled method of drying herbs would be to buy a dehydrator. Choose a dehydrator with adjustable temperature settings and multiple trays.
Salve making supplies
Herbal salves are topical ointments used for various skin conditions. Typical salve making supplies include beeswax, carrier oils (like olive, jojoba or coconut oil) and containers. Containers need to have openings that are large enough to dip several fingers in. Making your own salves allows you to tailor remedies to your specific needs. Once you get the hang of making herbal salves with just herbal infused oils and beeswax, you can graduate into making salves that include butters like shea, cocoa or mango butters.
Mortar and Pestle
A mortar and pestle is an essential tool for grinding and mixing herbs. This ancient tool allows you to release the essential oils and active compounds in herbs, enhancing their therapeutic properties. You want to grind the herbs as small as possible to expose the most surface area as you can to the solvent. I would suggest buying a larger one. You can also use a high powered blender, like a Vitamix, which is my preference.
Tincture making supplies
Tinctures are concentrated herbal extracts that are easy to make and use. They involve soaking herbs for weeks in alcohol or glycerine to extract their active compounds. You will need glass jars, dropper bottles, cheesecloth (I personally use cotton or a fine mesh strainer), and a funnel. High-proof alcohol, such as vodka, is typically used for tinctures, but glycerine (or even vinegar) can be an alternative for those avoiding alcohol.
Infusers
An herbal infuser allows you to brew herbal teas and infusions easily. Infusions are a simple way to extract the beneficial compounds from herbs. Choose from tea balls, infuser mugs, or French presses. Each type has its advantages, but all make the process of making herbal teas convenient and efficient.
Putting it all together
Starting your journey as an herbalist is an enriching and fulfilling endeavor. With these essential tools and the knowledge you will gain, you can effectively harness the power of herbs for health, beauty and wellness. This guide has provided an overview of the essential tools every new herbalist needs, ensuring you are well-prepared to embark on this exciting path. Remember, the journey of herbalism is one of continuous learning and growth, so keep exploring and expanding your herbal toolkit.
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