Herbalism is the practice of using plants for medical or spiritual uses. Many of the herbs which can help to improve one's health are readily accesible in your kitchen.

Why would one want to study herbalism?

Why herbalism? There are several answers, the first being improved health, and subsequently the savings of money on fewer doctor's visits. What could be better than being healthier, and for little to no cost? Another is for the hobby value of having an herb garden. Enjoying your own little piece of nature, and using the produce for cooking or health is a rewarding past time. Another reason may be spiritual- many religions use herbs in rituals and ceremonies. There are as many reasons as there are herbs.

Your Kitchen Apothecary

The simplest way to start your apothecary is to look at your spice rack in your kitchen. Most of the dried herbs you have in there are extremely useful, not just for culinary purposes, but also medicinally. If you want to take it a step further and raise your own fresh herbs, your best bet is to purchase your herbs through a garden center or nursery rather than starting them from seed. You can start them from seed if you wish, but it takes longer and if you purchase herbs already established, the likelihood of them being successful is increased. Herbs like well-drained soil and a brightly lit spot. A windowsill is a good spot for an apartment dweller, or someone who cannot otherwise have a garden. Herbs do well in individual pots, or in a long windowbox, but they grow best where they have plenty of room to spread out.

Using your herbs

Now that you have herbs, how do you use them? Herbs can be administered in several ways, the most common being the "infusion", which is essentially a tea. The dried leaves or flowerheads are stepped in boiling water for 5-10 minutes. Often the infusion is drunk, but sometimes it is added to bathwater or added topically to the affected area with a clean cloth. When adminstered topically, this is referred to as a "compress". Another means of administering herbs is the "poultice", which means that the herbs that are chopped, mashed, or steamed, and formed into a wad, applied to the skin and held in place with a bandage. As you learn more on the subject, you may hear of "tinctures", which means steeped in alcohol and bottled, or ointments and salves, but for beginners, we will focus on the infusions, poultices, and compresses.

Some of the useful herbs you may find in your spice rack are as follows:

Basil: Tea good for indigestion

Bay: Helps with sleep and relaxation

Caraway: Infusion helps digestion, stimulates milk flow in nursing women

Corriander: Tea promotes digestion, stimulates appetite

Cloves: Poultice relieves tooth pain

Dill: Seeds chewed help cure hiccups, settles stomach

Fennel: Digestive tea, compress treats conjunctivitis

Lavender: Tea and compresses awaken, relieve headache, help with sleep

Marjoram: Infusion relieves nausea, gas, indigestion

Mint: Tea relieves indigestion, nausea and tooth pain

Oregano: Same properties as marjoram

Parsley: Infusion relieves bladder infections

Rosemary: Tea relieves headaches and helps fight flu symptoms

Sage: A tea of safe helps regulate menstrual cycle, gargle sage infusion with vinegar for sore throats

Tarragon: Poultice relieves toothaches

Thyme: Tea relieves indigestion and headaches, poultice is antibiotic and styptic for cuts

As you advance, and wish to add more herbs to your collection, you may want to acquire and use some of the less common herbs, but as for now, your kitchen spice rack is a good foundation for a great apothecary!

Drying your Herbs

If you harvest your herbs from your garden or windowsill, you should pick them, ensure that they are free of insects and dirt, and then dry them for later use. You can hang them upside down in bunches to dry them, or you can spead them out on a sheet of white paper in a dark, warm place, and carefully move them around every few hours so the air is allowed to circulate. This method dries herbs in less than a week or so. Remember, sun is only good for herbs while they are living. When they are drying out, the sun saps their essential oils, which is their power.

Once your herbs are dry, you should place them in containers for keeping. You can spend some money on lovely apothecary jars, or you can wash out your old jars of salsa, relish, jelly, etc and bottle your herbs in these. Remember to make sure that the jars and herbs both are completely dry before placing the cap on them, otherwise your herbs may mold or rot. Label the jars and keep them in a cupboard or pantry until needed.

Ideas for your herbs

Garlic Rosemary Oil

Place three two inch sprigs on rosemary, a clove of garlic, and a cup on olive oil in a dark container. Seal and keep somewhere dark for a few months. You can substitute other herbs, or add chilies for more heat. Makes a great addition to salads and cooking!

Flu-Symptom Tea

1 tsp dried Thyme

pinch rosemary

Steep in covered cup for 10 minutes.

Digestive Tea

1 tsp. each of Fennel seeds, corriander, and caraway seeds

Bruise seeds and infuse in hot water for 10 minutes. Drink hot or cold.

This article is written with information obtained from "Mastering Herbalism" by Paul Huson, "Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs", and "The New Age Herbalist" by Richard Mabey. All of these books are excellent sources for more information in the art of herbalism.