The Study of Medicinal Herbs | Learn with Me!

What is herbalism? Why is it great to know about the study of medicinal herbs? Where can you learn more about herbal remedies? Let’s learn together!

I’m excited to share more of my new fascination and hobby with you.  After a few convincing experiences with herbs – aka nature’s medicine – I have been hooked on learning all I can about Herbalism!  If you are interested, I would like to share with you a bit of what I’ve learned, resources that have helped me and then some products I’ve been making that have been a huge help and support to our health.

WATCH MY VIDEO ON THE STUDY OF MEDICINAL HERBS

I go into more detail of my personal experiences on my video!

What is Herbalism?

Herbalism is the use and study of Medicinal and Therapeutic Plants and Herbs.

It appears Herbalism or an Herbalist can be simply an intrigued hobbyist (like myself) or a bonafide career as a result of higher education and years of experience in studying herbs and their benefits.

There is so much information out there, and I’ve tried to limit my resources so I don’t get too overwhelmed at this point. 

Why Would you Want to Know about Medicinal Herbs?

It’s not that I don’t believe in modern medicine.  I think it certainly has its place and can be an absolute miracle in saving and improving lives.  

But a few distinct and undeniable experiences with natural healing has piqued my interest, and made me wonder if I could take more of my family’s health and welfare into my own hands, mostly for these reasons.

1- To potentially avoid some of the undesirable side effects that can come from an overuse of pharmaceuticals.

2 – To feel more prepared should a day come or an emergency situation arise where access to modern medicine might not be available.

3 – Learning about herbalism has helped me feel more empowered to take care of my family, if and when needed. This is especially the case for non-emergencies where what we stock at home could significantly help with symptoms and severity.

I think once you dive in and experience the benefits of herbs, it’s hard not to get hooked!  There is your fair warning.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO KNOW ABOUT HERBS

Now, if you get anything from this post, I want it to be this – because once I learned this important thing about herbs, that’s when I finally saw results.

Remember, for herbs to be most effective they need to be used EARLY and FREQUENTLY.

Oftentimes it is a long term game – especially if you are dealing with chronic issues.  Modern medicine, I guess in my opinion, is so often a short term solution to an underlying problem.

For example, I used to make my elderberry syrup every cold and flu season and would give it to myself or my kids maybe once they were pretty sick and felt that once a day was good enough.

I never saw any benefits.

I can compare that to now, after learning that early and frequent are the way to go.  At the slightest sign or exposure to sickness, we begin dosing the syrup every 2-3 hours for a few days, and perhaps add in other natural immune boosting things like zinc, or some cold capsules I make.

I feel like in many instances we have been able to avoid sickness, speed recovery or very drastically decrease the severity of the symptoms with immune boosting herbs.  I’ve been amazed multiple times!

So remember those 2 things about herbs – early and frequent! 

Beginner Herbal Medicine Ideas

Ok, now that I’ve kind of explained myself, let’s get to the fun part!  I want to show you some of the herbal remedies I’ve been making and loving! 

I feel like I need to add here,  I’m obviously not a doctor, or even that experienced in herbalism.  I’m just here to share my resources and experience and hope it can help encourage you on your own journey of learning.

1 – Nature’s Neosporin

This can be great for cuts, bruises, bites, acne, infected wounds, etc. Dandelions are the shining star in this salve. You would be amazed at the benefits these so-called “weeds” have! 

We’ve been gathering and dehydrating lots of these beautiful and plentiful plants to make ours. We are sure to gather in our fields where we can be sure no chemicals have been sprayed.

2 – Elderberry Syrup

Like I mentioned before, I’ve been making elderberry syrup – one of the more popular herbs to help support the immune system – and you don’t even need to be an herbalist to recognize that name. 

I recommend skipping the overpriced, sugary syrups in the pharmacy section and make your own!  I happen to have a recipe on my blog and in our Instant Pot Cookbook, digital or physical.

3 – Hot Ginger Balls

I have 2 kids who get very motion sick, so I tried out hot balls on our last road rip.  The name is pretty accurate to how they taste, but we found they helped a ton!  They are made from a potent dose of ginger root powder and other supportive herbs, which I’m sure you know as a helpful agent for nausea.  The recipe is in my favorite Medicinal Herbs book.

4 – Headache and Stress Tea

I like to blend 1 part basil leaf, 1 part lemon balm leaf and 1/4 part chamomile leaf for a soothing tea for headaches and/or stress.

Sip it every 1-2 hours and address the root cause of your headache and stress, and you’ll feel so much better!

5 – Cold Care Capsules

Another recipe in my favorite book, and I begin to take at the first sign of a cold or flu. I’ve been so amazed multiple times!

6 – Venous Salve

I’ve made up this venous salve to rub on varicose veins.  I haven’t seen massive results yet, but I think this is one of those instances where time and diligence may pay off.  This salve is supposed to be useful for hemorrhoids, which sometimes I struggle with after baby number 4 . . . I’m sorry – that was TMI. But perhaps it will help someone! (recipe in book). I’ve also made some bladder infection tablets to scare away any potential UTI! It works!

7 – Herb Sprinkle

I think herbs are especially good on food!  As the good word says, “let thy food be thy medicine.”  

I made up a culinary herb mix (in book) that is delicious sprinkled on meats, breads, sauces and all sorts of yummy dishes, and very supportive of many of our systems.

8 – Golden Milk

I’m also hooked on a golden milk drink I’ve been adapting to make it just right.  I should share that recipe as soon as I nail it!  The bright Indian spices like turmeric and ginger are very medicinal and supportive for all sorts of things like inflammation, for your circulatory system, for your liver,  and more.

Ok, I better stop, but suffice it to say – I’m playing around and having so much fun!

HERBAL BOOKS TO BUY FOR YOUR LIBRARY

I’ll leave you with some quick resources to get you started if I’ve peaked your interest.  

I’ve actually bought quite a few herb books.

But of all of them, this book called Medicinal Herbs by Rosemary Gladstar has been my absolute favorite.

It has been my herb bible!  I would suggest to start here with nothing else and read it from cover to cover and then get your hands dirty experimenting!  Any time I branch out, I get a little overwhelmed and then just come back to this.  Rosemary is a well known herb expert in the field and everything I’ve tried so far has been excellent and so easy to make. 

If you want to start learning for free online I recommend following Meagan from Growing up Herbal.

Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine is also another source I feel is super great.  I just ordered her book and am excited to dive in.

WHERE TO BUY HERBS

Ok, so you might be wondering where I got all those herbs!

I’d say the main sources I’ve used to purchase most of my herbs are:

• Mountain Rose Herbs

• Frontier Co-op

I got a lot of my jars and lids for a great price on Packaging Options Direct. The pretty brown Ball jar lids are here.

It’s a fun journey, and I’d love to hear if you want to join me, or if you have already begun your own journey in herbalism.  

I think it could be the journey of a lifetime with age old wisdom and experience from so many.

Let me know your thoughts, and especially if you would like me to dive deeper into herbalism.  I could probably talk your ear off, if you would let me!

Thanks for joining me today – and I hope you’ll subscribe and come back for more inspiration for the keeper of the home.

Talk soon!