Gathering Herbs
Before gathering any herb, be certain that it is the plant you need and be aware of the part of the plant that is called for, be it stem, root or flower. Common names for plants vary by region and may refer to multiple variations within the species. Only scientific names are guaranteed to refer to a specific plant. By harvesting only the part of the plant you need, you are assured to possess the active constituents you desire. Compounds that are formed in the seeds may not be present in the root, rendering the root useless in that case. Pick only herbs that you grow in your garden or from an area you know is not treated with chemical pesticides and insecticides.
Getting What You Want
The surest way to obtain quality herbs for the beginning herbalist is to purchase them by their scientific names from reputable commercial growers. This way you are assured to receive the proper plant and it will arrive dried and ready to use. Certified organic herb farms are becoming more popular and their product is guaranteed to be contaminant free.
It is advised to collect the relevant parts of the plant when they reach their optimum growth point. For leaves, this means just before flowering; for flowers, just before full bloom; for seeds, when they are plump and fully ripe; and for roots and rhizomes when the above ground growth begins to whither and the plant passes to dormancy. These plant segments should be gathered in mid-morning on a dry day after morning dew has evaporated. Most herbs have their largest concentration of active ingredients in the morning, before they switch from chemical production to chlorophyll manufacture under the sun’s rays. Moisture on leaves stems and buds speeds decomposition and encourages mold to grow in storage.
An exception to the gather-when-dry rule is bark. Bark should be hewed from a well established tree in spring or autumn in damp weather. Moisture, in this case, makes removal easier and lessens the impact on the tree. Because of the moisture content and the thickness of the bark, an extended drying time is needed.
Quick Tip
Always cut herbs with a sharp blade to reduce trauma to the plant. Some practitioners reserve a knife, usually white handled, solely for the purpose of harvesting. This lends an air of ritual and magic and brings focus to the purpose.
It would be ideal to collect herbs in accordance with the lunar cycle, but plant growth and need make this a bit tricky. Gather herbs that are intended to bind, banish or remove illness between the full and new moons, as the moon wanes from view. Collect herbs intended to bring toward, bless and heal during the waxing moon. This form of sympathetic connection between lunar, earth, plant, and personal energy will empower medical and medicinal preparation and also bring a deeper understanding of these energies.
The part of the herb that is harvested is essentially killed. Metabolic changes occur within the harvested portion as soon as their water and nutrient supply is cut off. After the cut is made, the enzymes in the cells that once stimulated the production of active constituents begin to break down these particles. Correct drying procedures are essential to stop this breakdown and deter spoilage caused by over heating and condensation.
| When to Harvest | ||
|---|---|---|
| Part | Weather | Stage |
| Leaves | Dry | Just before flowering |
| Seeds & Fruit | Dry | Fully ripe |
| Flowers | Dry | Just before full bloom |
| Roots & Rhizomes | Dry | Just before dormancy |
| Bark | Damp | Mature trees only |
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