I was listening to a podcast the other day and the speaker was talking about learning new skills toward living a more sustainable life. Skills like cooking, gardening, raising animals, and herbalism.

This podcaster is very educational and I have learned a lot over the last year or so of listening history, but he doesn’t know everything. For example; he suggests learning herbalism by taking a new herb every two weeks and learn about it. Make tinctures, salves, teas, and just like that you are an herbalist with your herbal medicine cabinet. This gave me pause.

For most of us who have busy lives that is not enough time to really get to know an herb. We have to take 15 minutes here, 30 minutes there to fit in learning something new. Like any new skill knowing and working with herbs won’t become completely comfortable until it’s done routinely or at least a few times. Foraging for plants takes some knowledge. Sure most of us know and can identify a Dandelion, but would you know a look alike if the flower wasn’t in bloom? These two plants have very similar leaves. One is Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale). One is Wild Lettuce (Lactuca spp). While neither is poisonous, one is used as a bitter to help digestion, the other is for pain and sleep. It has been written that the Wild Lettuce can have narcotic effects. It is important to know and understand the difference. I have both of these growing in my yard. Even I had to look closely to distinguish the difference.

Herbalism is not hard to learn. But it takes time. Some basic plant knowledge is helpful and can come in handy, like identifying common weeds like Plantain (Plantago major). Chew up some leaves and place it on the sting. It helps draw out toxins.

Then there are culinary herbs. They also belong in an herbalists apothecary. Most everyone knows Oregano, Basil, Thyme, and Sage, but how many people know that they contain medicinal properties too? Cooking with these familiar herbs is a great way to begin your journey. Learning the medicinal properties of these every day herbs can take only a few weeks with no real need to learn tincture or salve making.

However like the Dandelion and Wild Lettuce there are some dangerous look a likes to some herbs. There are also contraindications for some people. Herbs can react or interfere with some medications. They can potentiate (make stronger by keeping the drug in your system longer) or inhibit (slow down or block) the actions of the medication. This is dangerous. This needs to be learned from trusted sources, not based on some AI search result.

I love all that I have learned about herbs in the last few years. I have an apothecary on hand for myself and my husband. It took much longer than 2 weeks with each herb. I am constantly searching for new information. I am building a collection of books from well respected and educated herbalists.

Can you learn herbalism by reading about an herb for two weeks? I suppose you can. Will you completely understand the power of plant medicine by spending only two weeks with each herb? I don’t think you can.

Take some time and dive deep. You will be amazed at what the plants can offer. Build your apothecary slowly and with intention. You will be thankful that you did.