Have you ever wanted to learn about herbalism, whether to be self-sustaining, use more natural ingredients, be connected to nature, or simply be crafty? Crack open this book, take a step onto the natural path, and learn to support your health with herbs…from nature, with love.
This booklet includes an overview with an introduction to a handful of herbs for health. Several different herb preparation instructions are outlined, including tinctures, glycerites, decoctions, teas, syrups, honey drops, tonics, bath soaks, topical oils and salves, poultices, essential oil roll-ons, and diffusers, plus a section on seed cycling and cooking with herbs. Each section has a handful of suggested recipes to get you started.
Everything we ever needed for our general health and well-being is already there in nature. Join us on our journey!
Have you ever wanted to learn about herbalism, whether to be self-sustaining, use more natural ingredients, be connected to nature, or simply be crafty? Crack open this book, take a step onto the natural path, and learn to support your health with herbs…from nature, with love.
This booklet includes an overview with an introduction to a handful of herbs for health. Several different herb preparation instructions are outlined, including tinctures, glycerites, decoctions, teas, syrups, honey drops, tonics, bath soaks, topical oils and salves, poultices, essential oil roll-ons, and diffusers, plus a section on seed cycling and cooking with herbs. Each section has a handful of suggested recipes to get you started.
Everything we ever needed for our general health and well-being is already there in nature. Join us on our journey!
Overview
All the recipes in this book can be made in your own home, with natural, biodegradable, and non-toxic ingredients. Most ingredients you will be able to find at your local health-food store. Mine has a nice bulk-herb section, too.
However, if you don’t have one nearby, you can easily find them online. I use Amazon for a lot of my ingredients, as I can get them in bulk.
I will provide easy, step-by-step instructions with pictures wherever necessary. Sometimes, I’ll add optional ways to take a recipe to the next level. Feel free to scoff at them. Only take it as far as you want to go.
All my recipes have been used by myself and others for years with no known issues outside those I make a note of. However, always test new products with caution for allergies.
These recipes are only meant to get you started and to understand the processes. Please do your own research on herbal qualities, safety, and contraindications to other medications or other herbs.
Congratulations on starting down the natural path!
Note: I use a few abbreviations. “Tbl” stands for tablespoon. “tsp” stands for teaspoon.
Disclaimer: I list a few brands I use in this booklet. I am not being paid to promote any brands. I only note them as ones I have tested and loved up to this point. Please use them only as suggestions in your own search for ingredients.
What Brings You Here?
You may want to remove toxins and chemicals from your life. Maybe you want to save some money or try homesteading. You may be a craftsperson and want to create something fun for your family or with your family. To all the above, I say great. Welcome!
Occasionally, I may give options for cheaper solutions that aren’t as natural but don’t contain any known toxins. Alternatively, I may provide options for healthier solutions, to take it a step further and reduce chemicals. Do what works for you.
Customization
I will give suggestions of herbs or essential oils to add to recipes for various purposes. Sometimes, they are antibacterial or anti-inflammatory. I will also give you the mix I personally use; however, some of these herbs may be harder to find or add cost. Feel free to sub it out for an herb/oil you prefer or can more easily or cheaply find.
Reducing chemicals
It’s very important to me to have a low chemical exposure. Skin is our largest organ and protects our body. I want to nourish it and my body with natural products that support its elasticity, tone, and health.
I also want to reduce the amount of chemicals used in the community, those added to the water system and runoffs. Crafting your own products also reduces the amount of waste (empty containers) in the world. Every little bit helps.
Read your labels. Just because you identify and can pronounce an ingredient, it doesn’t mean it’s good for you. A lot of skin care products contain petroleum and mineral oil byproducts.
Petroleum creates an illusion of moisturized skin because it repels water. But in reality, it’s just not water-soluble. It seals and clogs your pores, keeping air and moisture out. If it gets into the lungs, it can cause lipoid pneumonia.
Petroleum is used as fuel for heating and electricity generation, asphalt and road oil, plastic, and other synthetic materials. It’s a derivative of oil refining found coating the bottom of oil rigs, a byproduct of the oil industry.
Supposedly, the carcinogenic properties are removed in the refining processes, but as petroleum jelly can be found in a variety of different grades of purity, it’s hard to say how toxic any petroleum-based product is. I personally choose not to use it on my skin.
Herbs
For the purpose of this booklet, I’m going to refer to anything used to support the system as an herb. I realize spices and fruits, such as berries or oranges, aren’t herbs, but when they’re used to support your immune system, they can qualify.
Unless otherwise stated, I mean dried herbs or roots. Fresh herbs can be used in water extractions, but you need to double the amount. Fresh herbs contain water that has to be accounted for.
If your local health-food store doesn’t have a bulk herb section, you shouldn’t have a problem finding them online. I get several of mine from Amazon when I can’t find it locally.
Try harvesting your own, either by growing it or foraging for it locally. Make sure you can clearly identify the herb. You can use a book like Peterson Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs. Look for a guide that has plants specific to your region. Avoid harvesting from areas that are sprayed or near road runoffs or waterways. Ensure you know local laws for foraging. Practice sustainable harvesting, only ever taking what you need or a portion of the herb patch, so it can regrow and replenish.
Herbs are cheaper when purchased by the pound, but even I am hesitant to buy that much until I’ve tried it first. I often buy 4oz, then move up if it’s something I’m going to use often.
Starwest Botanicals, Frontier Co-op, FGO (From Great Origins), and Feel Good Organics are a few companies I buy from frequently. They offer good quality at decent prices. This doesn’t mean others are not trustworthy. I’ve bought herbs from several different companies. These are just ones I trust consistently.
The fresher the dried herb, the more potent. Grinding the herb speeds up the aging process. Grinding isn’t always necessary, depending on the use, but if you do grind, only grind right before use or packaging into teabags.
The quality and effectiveness of your products will depend on the freshness and quality of your herbs. Store them fully dried, in airtight containers, away from sunlight.
Herbal teas are great for supporting your system, but a lot of prepackaged teas have been ground and sitting on the shelf for months or years. I would still encourage people to try these before synthetic medicine, but fresher is better.
When I buy premade tea bags, I typically stick to Yogi, Stash, and Traditional Medicinals. They are organic and of fairly good quality. However, I tend to do this to try out the herb mix. Once I find a good combination of herbs, I try to recreate it with fresher dried herbs that I mix myself.
Containers
Try using glass containers whenever possible. This is especially important for caustic ingredients like alcohol or vinegar. However, if you do choose a plastic container, try to use BPA-free ones.
Whenever possible, recycle a container. I keep three old boxes (from past Amazon orders, let’s be real) on my garage shelves. When I use a good container, I clean it out and sort it for quick use.
I have purchased containers from Amazon in the past, and they work great, too. Like I said before, use what works for you. If it makes a difference to buy a cute container with a fun label, do it! I am all for a fun label.
Really, labeling is one of the best parts of making products! I get fun stickers and colored markers. I like to make up fun names for my products. My favorite one is my healing salve. I call it Tree Sap, ‘cause it’s green and it’s fun.
I may have named my Multi-Purpose Cleaner “Molly Maid,” but I’ll never admit it.
*Fun tip: Kids are more likely to use products (and get involved in making them) if they have a hand in their own mixes, labels, and names. Win!
The Challenge
I realize it’s easier to pick these products up at the local big-box store. You will likely spend more money, but you will definitely save time. Don’t let the amount of time and energy discourage you, but you have to make it work for you in your life. There are stages in life when you have more time to do things like this than others. Be kind to yourself.
I challenge you to pick a recipe to start with. Read through it first, so you can get the ingredients you need and understand the process. Tackle the products you want to replace in your house one at a time.
Unless you’re ready to jump headfirst, just try one recipe a month. Feel free to scale it down on your first attempt to make sure you like it.
Remember, it’s about progress, not perfection. Any step you take away from chemicals and toxins is a win. Take it.
Disclaimer
Herbs are not meant to replace medical care; they are to enhance health and support a healthy lifestyle to reduce disease.
These recipes should not substitute medical advice. Remember to do your own research and consult a trained health professional. Everybody is different, and every body is different.
Natural does not equal safe for everyone. Never treat yourself without doctor supervision. When in doubt, check with your doctor.
Willa Daniels’ An Introduction to Herbalism (The Natural Path Series) is a book for hobbyists and individuals interested in herbalism. In India, where I live, herbal concoctions are popular as natural remedies and even in religious rituals. That’s why I was curious to read this book.
Willa begins the book with a note on her motivation for writing it and what she hopes to offer the readers. She clarifies that the content is not medical advice but a natural and alternative approach to healing and reducing our environmental impact. In a world where most things are mass-produced and readily available, finding natural herbs and making concoctions at home can be a rewarding experience. If done correctly, the process can be therapeutic and the results can be beneficial.
Willa does not limit herself to the conventional definition of herbs. She also includes spices, seaweed, and berries in her herbal recipes. She explains how to handle fresh and dried herbs. She suggests guides to identify local herbs and encourages growing or foraging for them. Her tips on how to store, buy, and use herbs, and her warnings about potential hazards are very helpful.
The recipes are organized into meaningful sections. Our enthusiastic herbalist begins by explaining ingredients like menthol and glycerin, as well as uncommon ones like comfrey, seaweed, and algae. She then shows how to make water and oil infusions, decoctions, and tinctures, along with nuggets of information. She offers remedies for stress, pain, the common cold, and more.
Willa also shares some aspects of how she uses herbs in her life and the recipes that she uses frequently. I would have loved to read some testimonials and stories from others who benefited from her knowledge. Colored illustrations or photographs would have enhanced the appeal of the book, especially when it comes to recipes, as an image of the finished product can be enticing.
As is the course of nature, and the efforts of embracing all things natural, the journey is not hassle-free. Willa shares her wisdom, "Remember, it's about progress, not perfection. Any step you take away from chemicals and toxins is a win. Take it!" For me, this is valuable life advice, necessary to keep us grounded, and closer to our Earth and its bounties. I recommend this book to those interested in this subject and enjoyed acquiring the knowledge it provided.