Herbal Musings…
Flush of spring Nettles!
Updated 3/3/26.
Spring is starting slowly but surely here in Western WA and it’s been a while since I’ve considered herbs. But yesterday as I pulled out dead stalks of Motherwort, Feverfew, Lemonbalm, spread Yarrow seeds, took note of Samonberry blossoms, early Nettles, I realized how much I have been missing growing food, herbs and working with plants in general. It also reminded me of a principle of herbalism I’ve come to over many years and that I believe in now more than ever, that less is more. The supplement industry is not regulated and now valued at even more than the pharmaceutical industry. The current administration keeps making terrible decisions that undermine the things that give us health- cutting environmental protections, fueling the war machine- which is the biggest cause of climate devastation and bio-diversity we have.
Growing food, listening to plants, learning simple herbal preparations is just a few ways to root us, to remember our place, and to tether us to the resilience and resistance work that spans generations, of which we all contribute too as we are able.
I’m privileged to be able to get back to the garden this year and thus, thought I’d share some herbal musings I started writing a while back….
As herbalism as grown in popularity, I’ve been asked from time to time “is this herb safe in pregnancy?” or “what herb can I take for xyz?” In this blog post, I write about why those questions can be tricky to answer, regardless of who is being asked, and discuss some of my philosophy about herbs. Then, I’ll go through some ways to work with herbs by explaining common herbal preparations.
JUST ONE HERBALIST’S PHILOSOPHY
Here are some reasons why I take issue with questions like “is this herb safe in pregnancy?” or “will this herb induce labor?” As well as a bit about my philosophy (which has certainly shifted in over a decade of study and working with medicinal plants).
The question of safety is tricky. Life is inherently risky. So perhaps we change the language to model the language shift in the sexuality world- instead of “safe sex” or “safe herbs” let’s modify that to be “Safer.” Not all herbs are safe for all bodies. Some plants are down right toxic and poisonous, yet some herbalists have an affinity for these plants (NOT ME)- I’m thinking of herbalists who work with things like Belladonna for a topical flying ointment. I wonder too, if what underlies this question of “is it safe?” is a common and normal anxiety about plants, since so many people are no longer living in relationship with plants, don’t feel confident in identifying plants, much less then making and consuming plant medicine! (stay tuned for an upcoming blog posts about learning herbalism, growing herbs, and ethical wildcrafting)
Herbs are still part of a long folk medicine tradition in that all of our medicines were once solely plant based (many many of our common pharmaceuticals were derived from isolating plant compounds), so that despite herbalism growing in trendiness as we get back to “old” ways, there is still far too little evidence based research on the efficacy on herbs.
Herbs are not a one size fits all. What works for one person does not work for anther. Herbs are complex beings just like us humans, and applying what many of us herbalists call an “allopathic” i.e., westernized model of medicine of “take this for this” is not the approach a skilled herbalist will take. A good herbalist looks at the whole picture, taking into consideration things like constitution, climate, context, access, chronic and acute conditions.
Herbs have to be taken regularly, consistently and in large enough dosages to be effective. Too many people try herbs based on a click bait news headline, only to be disappointed. This is why working with a trained herbalist who has some clinical skills, can be helpful in figuring out how to make herbs work in your life. As well as do your due diligence!
Herbs are not a substitute for adequate food, proper nutrition, safe housing, and/or other forms of viable economic, social, mental, physical, emotional, spiritual health and relational support. Access to herbs is a concern and the so-called “wellness industry” that modern day herbalism is part of is a trillion dollar industry with many many people spouting pseudoscience only to push their affiliate code on you to buy their herbal supplement.
Herbs are complimentary allies alongside pre-natal care, postpartum care, vaccines, anti-biotics, pain relief, mental health medications, etc.
Sometimes the simplest formula is the best. A mug of tea. A walk in a garden. A simple homemade salve rubbed on your stretch marks. A spritz of Rose hydrosol after a long hot day.
Calendula Seeds
Plants and Humans Need One Another
Humans and plants have evolved together. While it is easy to grieve the destruction that an ethos of endless growth in the name of corporate profits in a human centered framework, not all humans in all places have treated their more than human relations with such disrespect. Most of our ancestors once lived in place respecting ways, where they knew how hard we humans are on a place and thus, proceeded accordingly. Indigenous land based non-industrialized peoples, have created amazing food forests in some places, practiced controlled burning in others, farmed in what is known as “permaculture ways,” (though the history and present day practice of permaculture is rooted in a legacy of white supremacy- this article on decolonizing permaculture explains more about what I mean). In short, no matter where your people came from- they had brilliant earth based technologies and knew how to get along with plants.
In permaculture design school a couple summers ago I was reminded that one of the many genius ways plants have adapted to survive and thrive is to make themselves easy to transport, as well as beautiful and delicious-I’m thinking of you Strawberry (read the essay, The Gift of Strawberries by Robin Wall Kimmerer for more on the wonder of human/plant relations); coupled with the fact that we humans have opposable thumbs and long arms and fingers- perfect for digging, grasping, transporting plants, saving and sowing seeds. I love stories of smuggled seeds, tiny saplings or a bundle of roots covertly tucked into the folds of fabric in a grandmother’s coat as she leaves the “old” land for the “new” one.
Here in the United States right now, pretty much all the major teachers in herbalism are white. And though we white people have lineages of plant communication and plant medicine within our own European/Nordic etc. ancestral traditions we owe a huge debt to Native Americans across these lands as well as people from West African Lands. Many of the so-called permaculture and organic food growing practices that have been co-opted by white folks for profit and fame, come to us from black and indigenous communities. One of the most well known comes from the Oneida Nation, the practice in food growing of planting complimentary plants next to each other aka the “Three Sisters,” https://www.oneidaindiannation.com/the-legend-of-the-three-sisters/. Part of being a white herbalist is grappling with this. All of my herbal teachers have been white. Where did they learn their craft? I don’t really know. So there’s a lot of reckoning still to be done. There is of course, like any subculture or avocation, a spectrum of white herbalists - some of which are firmly entrenched in upholding white settler patriarchal modes of being (Susun Weed and her abuse of students come to mind) and those trying to model new ways, like my friends at North Sea Apothecary and their sliding scale CSA and ongoing contributions to mutual aid projects.
My point is not to discourage people from herbalism, but to use discernment when seeking out teachers and herbalists to support and work with. When I got started I didn’t have the internet at home. I read a book here and there and I didn’t question (yet) why all the books were written by white people. I took plant walks to just start to notice plants. I worked on a farm and got to know culinary herbs and medicinal flowers. While I was fairly well schooled (in comparison to most of the white folks I knew) in the legacy of colonialism and systemic racism thanks in part to family of origin, I wouldn’t say that I understood how that worked in the herbal world just yet. Or just how vast white supremacy culture IS, and how it influences in every single things we do- from what books are published, who gets to buy land on which to grow food and herbs to begin with, what speakers are highlighted at conferences, to who even has the means to go to an herbal school.
This is why the best way to work with a plant is a slow approach. This can mean just starting to visit a plant you enjoy seeing in your day to day life. While I was in graduate school there was a lush patch of Yarrow growing up out of the sidewalk by the bus stop and just seeing it there brought me peace in a very hectic time of life. Herbalism is not always taking a bunch of tinctures and or blowing a bunch of money on Instagram famous herbalist classes (all of which I’ve done….ahem Kami McBride’s spendy oil making class that I of course still haven’t finished). As a former monotheistic Episcopalian, turned fledgling Animist, I try and honor the inherent life force in all beings, and don’t ascribe supremacy to humans. Sometimes harvesting to consume is not at all appropriate. We humans are so often on the take. Sometimes the absolute best medicine is to simply acknowledge a plant and give thanks for its life and pray for its continual health. Some of the most memorable healing times in my life have not been when I was consuming tinctures several times a day or drinking a gallon of tea, but when I was simply getting to know a plant by spending time with it.
With that in mind let’s review what are common forms or types of plant medicine! There are more than I’ve listed below, but these are some of the most familiar and common, and some of my favorite ways personally.
Forms of Plant Medicine - Ways to work with Herbs
Homemade rose infused herbal lotion
Plant Friends- spending time with any plant that might be calling to you especially wild ones growing in your neighborhood. I’ve spent time with a particular patch of Nettles, a Maple tree, Oregon Grape on a trail, or Calendula I’ve grown in my garden, for example.
Tincture (Extract) - (typically) Alcohol or (sometimes) Glycerin and part water, extraction of fresh or dried plant material. Typically macerated for a period of anywhere from a couple days (especially of you’re wanting it right away) to the traditionally taught time period of 4-6 weeks; the herbal material is then pressed out of the menstruum (liquid) and bottled to protect from heat and light. Taken by the dropper straight or, if desired, dissolved in a little hot water to evaporate off some of the alcohol. Alcohol extraction method is considered the strongest type of herbal medicine. Tinctures, when properly stored, can be good for up to 5 years and sometimes longer since the alcohol is preservative.
Elixir- an elixir is a tincture (extract) with honey and/or other sweeteners added. These are often found in children’s tincture lines where the majority of the tincture is made with glycerine which is both sweet and alcohol free, with the alcohol acting more as a preservative than the vehicle for the herbal action.
Infusion- Water extraction. This is your typical tea preparation, i.e. infused in water. Boil water, pour over herbs, (I like to gently cap whatever vessel I am using to not lose any of the plant’s healing constituents that might escape with steam), steep for at least 5 minutes up to 20 minutes or overnight for tonic infusions like with Nettles or Milky Oats (please note these steeping times are specific to herbal teas made up of petals/flowers, leaves, some roots; other types of teas: black, green, white, need other temperatures/ steep times). Sweeten with honey as desired.
Decoction- Water extraction. A decoction is the process of bringing water to a boil, adding roots, stems, barks, and/or medicinal mushrooms and then simmering on low to medium heat for 15-30 minutes (generally speaking). A decoction is useful for woodier, tougher plant material that do not release their medicinal constituents via standard steeping style of a quick infusion. Decoction works well for things like ginger root, yellow dock, dandelion root, cinnamon bark, astragulus root.
Oil- Oil infusion. Dried or fresh herbs are infused in a carrier oil like sunflower or jojoba oil, placed in a warm dark spot, and then strained out and bottled, after a 4-6 week period. You can infuse things for their scent and pain relieving effects by placing the coarsely chopped plant material in a jar, cover with your desired oil, let sit, then strain. Using herbal infused oils for massage are one of my favorite ways to soothe an activated nervous system. Some popular herbal oils are Calendula, Arnica, and Saint John’s Wort. I also love Grand Fir and Pine infused oils, as well as Yarrow and Mugwort.
Salve/Balm- Oils and beeswax preparation. Salves combine herbal infused oils with beeswax to make a more solid (when room temperature or cool) end result. Salves and balms can be made of varying combinations of herbal infused oils, resins (like pine pitch), other fats/oils like shea butter or cocoa butter, and waxes (rice bran wax, beeswax etc).
Cream/Lotion- oils, fats and waters combined via emulsion. Creams and lotions are tricky to make by hand b/c you are combining two things that don’t like to mix- oil and water! The result in well worth it, and in winter time your skin will thank you for putting by those herbal oils earlier in the summer.
Hydrosol (floral water)- Steam distillation of fresh leaves, fruits, flowers, and other plant materials. These aromatic waters can be sprayed directly on the skin, mixed into other herbal preparations like to make a skin lotion, or sprayed around a room for an energetic reset. These are one of my favorite methods of plant medicine for their gentleness and delightful scents.
Essential Oils- Steam distillation. Essential Oils are basically hydrosols but without all the water, making them much more concentrated. One drop of Rose Essential EO for example is made from 60 whole Roses! EO’s are great for adding strong scent to products if that is what you are going for. I only recommend EO’s in very small doses mixed with a carrier oil for external application with a few internal exceptions (i.e. tea tree oil diluted in a homemade tooth powder). Do not believe the hype from predatory MLM (multi-level marking, i.e. pyramid schemes) companies that hawk essential oils like DoTerra that EO’s are cure-all. Because Essential Oils are so concentrated, they are typically NOT safe for internal consumption.
Herbal Powders- dried/dehydrated and pulverized herbs. These are your standard spice mixes in the grocery store, but also extend out to pricier herbal supplements like Ashwagandha powder or medicinal mushroom powders. I like to use these in cooking (obviously), but also added to cocoa powder, in my morning coffee, and to mulling spices to add to wine or apple cider to give a boost to warm winter beverages.
The Magic and Nuance of Herbal Medicinal Making
This list is just a quick overview. Learning how to just make one of these preparations takes time and learning. Variations in climate and altitude can affect your medicine making. The quality of the herbs you are working with. Any herbalist has many stories of failed batches! How many of us really thought we’d finally figured out the secret to not having fresh calendula petal oil go moldy? Or added way too much beeswax to a salve and it’s way too hard and then have to scrape out all your tiny little salve tins and start the melting process all over. There is nuance to all of these, and it’s all part of the joy of the learning process. Each plant has different parts that can be used. Some need to be harvested in the Spring, some in the Summer, some in the Fall, and some even in late Winter. Within the herbalist community too there is much variation. Clinical herbalists use a ratio formula for tincture making and a higher proof alcohol than I typically like to use. Many home herbalists are content with the “folk” or “simplers” method whereby you measure in parts as opposed to weighing every thing out. I use a modified ratio version for my tinctures now simply b/c I like to track my batches year after year and it ensures I’m getting a consistent and strong end result, but when I started off, I’d just chop up plant material, stuff in a jar and cover it with Vodka, ala the “folk” or “simplers” method.
Making your own herbal medicine is rewarding on so many levels. Not only are you learning a new skill that has to do with resilience, community building, and care, you are getting to know some plants, and from an ecological care standpoint, I think this makes us better humans because then we start to really care about our plants and the places we all live.
Start small though, because before too long you’ll end up with way more medicine than you can possibly use in a lifetime….. hahah….Buy a few dried herbs from the local herb shop and experiment with blending your own teas. Harvest some wild nettles in a friends forest and make your own fresh nettle tincture.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this write up, and deepened your appreciation of herbal medicine.
The world of plants is vast, complex, and intelligent. The more you learn, the more deeply the capacity to fall in love with plants. Stay tuned for a post on my favorite herbal books to get you started on your studies and a post on all the herbal things I love for birthing bodies and babies!
If you’d like some personalized herbal support, please reach out! I work with clients 1:1 in person in my home apothecary or virtually. An initial herbal consult is always free, and I offer sliding scale rates. Email me by clicking the button below!
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