Home Study on Herbs

There are several options for learning about herbs at home. You can learn a lot with minimal equipment and training. People study herbs for a variety of reasons. Some prefer to learn about the culinary uses of herbs, while others are interested in folk medicine herbs in their many forms.

Home-Brewed Herbal Study

• Spend time outside with herbs in their natural state and compare your findings with a dependable herb field guide.

  For the minimalist, a simple plant and herb guidebook, sturdy hiking shoes and a notebook are the only necessary tools to start a self-guided study of herbs. Choose an herb that grows abundantly in your yard or elsewhere in your community. Walk your backyard or explore parks and other areas. Use your guidebook and other herb books to correctly identify the plants you find. What are the medicinal uses? What is the folklore surrounding it? Draw it in your notebook and write down everything you learn about your favorite herb.

Local Experts

• Consult with local experts to learn plant identification.

  Consult local herbalists for personal training. Many times, these experts hold herb walks to show you plants and teach proper identification and uses. Ask them for book and website recommendations and recipe ideas as well. Take a class from a natural cooking expert on herbal medicinal preparations and/or cooking with herbs. Keep a journal notebook to record what you learn.

Online Herbal Studies

• Choose an online study program taught by an experienced herbalist.

  An online class can be helpful when studying herbs. When choosing an online herbal study program, check out the teacher's credentials. Herbalists can be certified by a variety of schools, or they might have learned their skills in an apprenticeship. Some colleges offer degrees in herbal studies, and some herbalists are botanists with an expertise in herbs. A trained herbalist should be familiar with the plants and how to use them. They should be up to date on what herbs are toxic and how to differentiate between two similar herbs. They should demonstrate a practical knowledge of herbs by their writing, examples of recipes and photo journals with detailed descriptions. A qualified herbalist uses herbs in day-to-day life and knows how to safely apply herbal techniques.

Safety Tips

• Wear protective clothing when hunting herbs in the wild.

  Never eat an herb or plant that you cannot unquestionably identify. If you are in doubt, leave it alone. Wear gloves when picking prickly herbs, such as nettles. Use safety precautions when working outside, such as wearing sunscreen and bug repellent. Do not pick herbs in an area that has been sprayed with pesticides and herbicides.