Welcome to our captivating journey into the heart of herbalism! In this class, I am delighted to share with you the beautiful blend of history and practice that makes herbalism so enchanting.
We’ll dive into the world of herbs, where the simple plants in our kitchens transform into potent remedies. It’s a delightful form of magic that I believe is accessible to all, and I’m excited to guide you through it. From crafting herbal candies and truffles to understanding the subtleties of herbal formulas, this class is a tapestry of learning and discovery.
We’ll also delve into practical questions, unraveling the mysteries of herbal remedies together. I’ll introduce you to the varied paths in herbalism, from community-based practices to clinical expertise.
Join me in this class, where we blend the wisdom of the past with the needs of today, unlocking the secrets of nature’s pharmacy right in our homes.
Class Recipes
One of the best ways to begin working with herbs is to bring them into your daily life through teas and food. We covered a few delicious herbal recipes in The Herbalist’s Path—including one I created just for this class!
Recipe 1: Herbal Oxymel
How To Make An Oxymel
- Fill a wide mouth jar ¼ full of dried herbs (or ½ full of fresh herbs)
- Mix 1 part Apple cider vinegar with 1 part honey (or more honey if you prefer). I like to warm this mixture slowly together on very low heat. Don’t boil, but let warm together, so honey is runny and vinegar is warmed up.
- Alternatively, you can also steep the herbs in vinegar for 2-4 weeks, strain, and then add honey, which is just another way to make an oxymel and/or a shrub.
- Completely cover the herbs by 2-3 inches of the honey/vinegar mix.
- Place in a warm place, and shake every few days to ensure herbs aren’t settling on the bottom. While some people like to store their mixtures in a cool, dark place while they are extracting, I’ve found that warmth is better as it helps improve the extraction.
- After 2-4 weeks (I prefer a longer extraction time as I feel it makes for a stronger oxymel, but again, that’s up to you), strain and discard the herbs.
- Rebottle and label your Oxymel. Shelf stable for at least 6 months; often longer.
Recipe 2: Rosehip Jam
This is one of my favorite jam recipes because it is so quick and easy, and also so tasty and good for you. Rosehips must be dried and seedless. I usually buy them this way, as it takes a lot of time to deseed them.
How To Make Rosehip Jam
- Fill a pint jar half full of dried seedless Rosehips.
- Pour Apple cider (raw unpasteurized is best) over the Rosehips and fill the jar nearly to the top, leaving a small breathing space.
- Leave on the counter and let sit overnight.
- In the morning you’ll have a Rosehip jam that’s absolutely yummy and good enough for you that you can scoop and eat by the spoonful.
- Must be stored in the refrigerator.
Recipe 3: Coconut Butter Herbal Fudge
I developed this recipe just for this class so it’s still in the ‘development stage.’ It’s really good as is, but needs a little refining. Be creative, add your own touch and enjoy! And let us know what you’ve done to make it even better.
Coconut Butter Herbal Fudge
Ingredients
- ½ cup Coconut butter (This is different from Coconut oil. You can purchase Coconut butter or make it yourself from grated Coconut.)
- ¼ cup Coconut oil
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract or paste
- 3 tbsp Honey, Maple syrup, Date sugar, or combinations of these sweeteners
- ⅔ cup Cacao powder
- 1 tsp Cinnamon powder or other spice blend
- 8 tsp Herbal powders of choice, finely powdered (I used a combination of Ashwagandha, Reishi, and Mucuna for a grounding, calming but uplifting blend. You can also use a combination of medicinal Mushrooms.)
Instructions
- Blend Coconut butter and oil together until mixed well. You may have to warm Coconut butter to soften enough to mix.
- Add Vanilla, spices, and sweetener and stir well.
- Mix in herbal powders. Stir well to be sure there are no lumps and herbs are evenly distributed.
- Add enough powdered Cacao to thicken.
- Roll into balls or press onto molds. For a finishing touch, roll in finely ground Coconut, Cacao, and or finely chopped nuts.
Notes
Getting Started on The Herbalist's Path
While there is an art and science to herbalism, the foundation of herbalism begins in our gardens and kitchens. A simple cup of tea is often an effective herbal remedy! As your knowledge and understanding of plants grows, your ability to work with them in more complex ways will deepen.
The first step on the path is to pick 10 simple herbs to get to know. These can be herbs growing in your garden or already in your kitchen, but the most important part is to bring them into your home.
“My idea of a good herbalist isn’t someone who knows forty different herbs, but someone who knows how to use one herb in forty different ways.”
Be sure to watch the full class video above for the rest of the tips. And, when you select your list of herbs, we’d love for you to share them in the comments!
Continue on The Herbalist's Path in The Science & Art of Herbalism
We’re so grateful that you joined us in this class and we’re looking forward to all that you will learn when you deepen your relationship with the plants.
As a special thank you when you join us in The Science & Art of Herbalism combo course, you can use the coupon code OnThePath to take an extra $10 off!
about herbs for over 50 years. It is my honor and joy to share what I have learned with you, and to introduce you to my fellow herbalists and plant lovers!
Wish I knew of you 30 yrs ago!
Hii I am very glad to be here. I appreciate your love for herbs.
Want to initiate with herb garden in my school and to give hands on experience to my students.
Please guide how to implement this idea practically.
It was wonderful! I wonder if I could use another fruit to make the jam? I have some tunas from the prickly pear cactus Thank you and happy holidays and blessed New Year