My herbalism journey started with recommendations to make my own remedies. Of course, like most, I was overwhelmed and had many questions. My biggest question was how to source herbs. It seemed like everyone’s answer was to grow my own. However, a 1,075 sq/ft apartment wasn’t the ideal place to start a garden.

I remember a natural health influencer claiming there was no reason not to have fresh food and herbs year-round and then recommending a $900 hydroponics growing system the size of a standard sofa. I am here to tell you that you do not need to replace your family’s couch with a ridiculously expensive indoor growing system, and you definitely don’t need to grow your herbs to make effective herbal remedies.

All you need to know is how to source herbs. Some prefer fresh herbs, while others work primarily with dried plant material. The truth is, how you source them doesn’t matter; the result is the same – freedom from Big Pharma and taking charge of your health. That is the goal, after all. So, without further ado, three ways to source herbs.

How to Grow Herbs

If you’re working with homegrown herbs, that’s great. You’re probably already familiar with what’s in your garden. However, if you’re just getting your garden started (or thinking about the idea), it can seem like a lot of time and effort for a project that could easily fail… but what if it doesn’t?

We often think of gardening as an elaborate layout and intensive care for a large plot of ground dedicated to growing. It’s overwhelming; I get it. My dad bought me this GrowLED indoor garden for Christmas in 2022; three years later, I still haven’t started. However, gardening doesn’t have to be super complicated.

I plan to start with something simple to try my green thumb, like microgreens. Microgreens fall between young seedlings/sprouts and baby greens. They can typically be harvested and eaten within 7-21 days post-germination, whereas larger herbs and vegetables take much longer. Popular microgreens include (1):

• Crucifers (Brassicaceae) family: arugula, cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, watercress, radish
• Daisy (Asteraceae) family: chicory, lettuce, endive, radicchio
• Umbellifers (Apiaceae) family: dill, carrot, fennel, celery
• Amaryllis (Amaryllidaceae) family: leek, garlic, onion
• Amaranth (Amaranthaceae) family: amaranth, quinoa, beet, spinach, Swiss chard, 
• Gourd (Cucurbitaceae) family: cucumber, melon, squash

Once I master microgreens, I hope to expand to cilantro, lavender, lemon balm, oregano, peppermint, and rosemary from this organic seed collection. I’d also like to invest in one of the many lower-priced hydroponic growing systems on Amazon (I have seen a few options priced at $40, sometimes cheaper when on sale).

My husband and I plan to expand to outdoor gardening when we have a home. As we get more comfortable, we will use planning sheets to track how much was planted. This will help us compare the expected yield, how much was used, and how long our harvests last. It will also help us gauge what is needed for the following year’s garden.

How to Wildcraft Herbs

Wildcrafting, also known as foraging, is when you gather plants from the wild. You can use collected materials to create your herbal remedies for close to free. The best part is that you can probably find herbs like catnip, dandelion, plantain weed, and more in your own backyard.

Getting started is as simple as stepping into nature. Do it alone, with friends, or even with kids. Just go outside and look at the plants growing around you. Me? I forage in the woods behind my apartment or while taking nature walks. Whatever you do, avoid plants growing near the side of the road. Foraging enthusiasts recommend gathering 10 to 100 feet from roadsides to avoid overexposure to toxic contamination such as heavy metals (2). Of course, you’ll want to clean all harvests, even from your own yard, thoroughly. It doesn’t matter what your gardening practices are; as long as the wind blows and animals are outside, contamination can occur, so please clean your harvest.

The most important part of wildcrafting is plant identification. Start by examining the characteristics of an unfamiliar plant. Ensure absolute certainty of the plant’s identification. Many plant look-alikes can have detrimental consequences. I highly recommend searching for a wildcrafting book resource for your region. This will allow you to see what is native to your zone and even when your growing season starts.

As a beginner wildcrafter, I recommend using at least three sources to confirm what plant you think you have before using it. Remember, all plant features, including leaf shape and formation, stem, bark, and flower, are other identifying factors that must be considered. My go-to plant identification book resources are Botany in a Day: The Patterns Method of Plant Identification by Thomas J. Elpel and Peterson Field Guide to Medicinal Plants & Herbs of Eastern & Central North America by Steven Foster & James A. Duke. Both were on the book recommendation list when I began the Introductory Herbal Course at the Herbal Academy.

Plant-identifying apps are becoming increasingly popular. You snap a picture and upload it to the app, and the app uses artificial intelligence to identify the plant. Although these apps are often wrong, they are a great place to begin your research. Just remember, AI should never be used in place of real human identification.

When I stumble across a new plant, I typically start with my iPhone’s built-in plant identifier (Google Lens is an alternative), but I’ve learned it’s often inaccurate. I then use two plant identification apps, Plant Net, Picture This, and Picture Mushroom, to cross-reference results. Plant Net is my favorite because it identifies based on its likeliness in my region. Then, I use the two books mentioned above, along with online resources, to try to positively identify. I research lookalikes, their physical differences, if any lookalikes are toxic or poisonous, etc. Sometimes I encounter the same plant multiple times before finally feeling confident in my identification. It’s almost like a scavenger hunt.

After confirming what you have, learn how to use the plant. How would you use the herb? Does it have any health benefits? What are its herbal actions? Is it edible or even suitable for herbal preparations? If so, what kinds? What is the best extraction method? Do you need to prepare it a certain way to avoid being toxic? These are all things to consider and important when starting your own materia medica. I have written dozens of articles featuring science-based herbal profiles, right here on The Holistic Hipppie blog. When writing these posts, I share my personal research and experience with the herb and often reference additional herbal resources.

If you decide to collect any plants, please harvest them ethically. Never collect anything from private property without direct permission. When harvesting from public spaces, consider the impacts on native plant populations. Due to the uncertainty of surrounding plants, be careful not to disturb them, as they could be an endangered or threatened species. Always be kind to the earth and only harvest what you need.

It’s important to process fresh herbs immediately. To avoid herb deterioration, proper storage practices are crucial. I dry the herbs and put them in a mason jar. I then use an electric vacuum sealer to secure the lid before placing them in a cabinet away from sunlight. Check out my blog, How to Dry Fresh Herbs, for more information. Using dehydrated herbs ensures there’s no moisture, which leads to mold growth. You want to use dehydrated herbs for capsules, oils, or vinegars. However, fresh herbs can be used when making infusions, decoctions, tinctures, liniments, and poultices.

If you want to take your learning experience a step further, consider practicing herbal exercises. If you read my blog, How to Practice Herbal Exercises, you know I like to do this whenever I work with a new herb. I find it helpful to write my answers on a printable herbal worksheet and reflect on them as I broaden my herbal knowledge. Other things to consider jotting down include how you feel 15 minutes to an hour after taking the herb and any benefits or side effects you experience.

Where to Purchase Herbs

Purchasing herbs can be tough. Some herbs are easy to find at your local supermarket. For instance, sweet basil, cayenne pepper, garlic, ginger, parsley, turmeric, and many others are often available in just about any produce section. Others, such as Ceylon cinnamon, cloves, fennel, and sage, may be found in the spice section. You can probably even find chamomile, elderberry, and mullein in the tea section (just open the tea bags and use them as you wish). More complex herbs like ashwagandha, calendula, comfrey, echinacea, star anise, etc, can be sourced from reputable companies.

Of course, reputable herb suppliers can be difficult to find. Many companies have shady practices. Before purchasing, always research the brand and ensure you’re confident in what they’re offering. What one may find acceptable, the next may not. My typical go-to brands when purchasing herbs include the following:

• Anthony’s Goods gets to know farmers while carefully sourcing high-quality organic and natural foods, including herbs, from all around the world.
• Frontier Co-op focuses on sustainable sourcing while using established internal testing processes to meet high-quality standards.
• Starwest Botanicals offers an extensive, diverse, and ethically sourced selection of herbs, spices, and teas (they even have essential oils).

Other reputable herbal suppliers include Herb Affair and Mountain Rose Herbs. Although I haven’t used either, I have heard good things about them. Since my school recommends Mountain Rose Herbs, I plan to try them as I progress my herbal education.

Although I prefer organic ingredients, I sometimes purchase non-organic fresh produce and ensure it is washed thoroughly. The reality is that something is better than nothing. I would rather have a nice, hand-cleaned, nonorganic option than nothing at all. It isn’t all or nothing, and nonorganic is still a step up from conventional/allopathic medical approaches. Work with what you have and be proud of your journey, even if it doesn’t look like mine or anyone else’s.

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