Best gift ideas for the herbalist in training
So I'm trying to learn about becoming and Herbalist. And I was wondering if any of you have some recommendations for what I can tell my family to get me for Christmas, that can help me on my journey.
Comments
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a bookshelf- I'm serious. You will probably find your library growing by quite a bit. I feel a bit antsy myself with the notion that "It's all on the internet. Why do you have so many books?!?"
Flat, shallow baskets are nice if you will be gathering your own herbs.
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@Gail H That's so funny. 😄 I have been collecting more books. But my husband is of the mindset too, "why have books when everything is on the internet." But I'm old school and prefer to hold a book then peruse the internet. Baskets, yes that would make harvesting much easier. 😁 Thank you for the recommendations.
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Here's what I have on my wish list:
a set of small metal funnels (a strainer is included in one) to move my tinctures from jars to amber bottles
a food scale for measuring herbal ingredients
handmade baskets from a local seller
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@Wendy These are excellent too. I didn't think about getting the preparations in those little bottles, funnels are a definite must have. And those baskets are beautiful. I'll have to look and see if there are some local basket makers near me.😊
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I love glass canning jars (if you can find any), but any glass jar will work to store and "show off" your wares!
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Quart and pint canning jars for storing herbs and making tinctures.
90 proof vodka for making tinctures.
bees wax if you want to do salves. I like the pellets because it makes the job easier.
Dropper bottles for finished tinctures.
Tea pots and cups with the strainer basket to make medicinal teas. French coffee press works, too.
Potted herbs to grow indoors or plant outside in the spring.
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@ltwickey and @Mary Linda Bittle Canning jars for sure. I just hope they can fix the supply problems sooner than later. All wonderful ideas thank you.
@Mary Linda Bittle I was curious, do you have a preferred beeswax that you use? A specific company you buy from maybe because you appreciate their quality?
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@JennyT this is the one I like. I also trust their herbs!
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Some of these might be good library additions, if you don't already have them? https://thegrownetwork.com/13-books-herbal-medicine/
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@Mary Linda Bittle Thank you so much. I've been buying my herbs from Mountain Rose Herbs as I learn about them but I haven't taken the time to look around at much else they offer just yet. I will be doing so now. Thanks again.
@Merin Porter I have Rosemary's books that are listed there, they were some of the first I bought. I have heard of several of them and even found some of them at the library. Others I've not heard of. But I'll be adding all of them to my wish list for sure. Thank you.
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@JennyT If you go to this TGN page, you will find some lists of books to choose from. https://community.thegrownetwork.com/categories/educational-books-other-resources
Equipment:
Tiny funnels make life so much easier.
A mortar and pestle. A grinder for harder herbs (I like a small coffee/spice grinder or mini blender). Good quality grater (like a micro plane).
Dedicated measuring cups and spoons, so not the ones used in your kitchen (glass and metal, not plastic). Shot glasses.
Tea balls. Tea pots. French press.
A good quality scale that gives metric weights as well as Imperial or American (grams as well as ounces).
A selection of different sized brown or blue glass bottles for oils and tinctures. A selection of different sized brown or blue glass jars for salves. Tubes for lip balms or other topicals.
Droppers. Spray tops. Pipettes. Glass stir rods.
Cheesecloth or unbleached muslin. Fine mesh strainers.
A vegetable scrub brush and/or a medical scrub brush (for cleaning roots).
A drying rack and/or a dehydrator.
Alcohol. 95% Alcohol by volume. Other strengths/types. (I like brandy for bitters). Isopropyl alcohol for liniments, cleaning up sticky messes and sterilizing equipment.
Raw ACV for making preparations.
A notebook for keeping track of your preparations.
For wildcrafting:
Plant ID Books (from above TGN link)
A good quality pair of pruners. A sharp knife (I like Swiss Army knives with multiple blades). At least two quality scissors; one large and one manicure size. A Hori-hori. Small pruning saw.
Gloves. Thick leather gloves (for thorny plants). Medical type gloves or cotton gloves for stingy plants.
A hand held lens, loupe or magnifier.
A digging fork. A shovel. Small hand shovel.
A notebook and camera.
A GPS and compass.
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@torey Holy Cow!! That's quite a list Torey, thank you. I think I'm good now for the next several Christmas' and birthdays too.😄
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A gift certificate to Mountain Rose Herb or Doc Jones for herbal supplies.
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All of the suggestions above are great! I also would recommend a canning funnel for wide or regular mouth jar for placing dried herbs into mason jars. When I blend herbs for tea, all of the herbs go into the jar easily, without the mess!
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@torey Quick question, seeing as you're an herbalist, 😉 what do you keep your herbs in?
I've purchased some herbs from Mountain Rose Herbs. And I didn't realize how much a pound is on some of these.😳 So I currently have them in the bags they came in, in a dark area. But I don't know whether or not that's the best place for them to stay for freshness sake.
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@JennyT I usually put them in glass jars and then keep them in a dark place. But as long as they are well sealed in the bags, they can stay there until you open the bag and then put the rest in a jar.
Its very easy to over purchase herbs at first. Sometimes the only way to get some of the herbs is in a large amount. I needed artichoke leaf a while ago and had to order a pound to get a few teaspoonfuls.
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@JennyT I have made the same mistake! I ordered a pound of parsley flakes from the co-op once. The bag was about the size of a bed pillow!
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@torey.Thanks for the list. Time to visit the thrift stores...
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Sorry I didn't see this sooner... here is a good idea: Herbs and Medicinal Plants Knowledge Cards (mountainroseherbs.com)
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Baskets are a big plus for gathering. Once we are through with the pandemic a good place to get them is at garage sales. Nearly every one will have baskets of one sort or another lol. Great ideas you'all!
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@judsoncarroll4 Those are really cool, Judson! Thanks for recommending them.😊
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Doc Jones "The HomeGrown Herbalist" book. Also some medicinal plant seeds to grow your own supply.
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@Cornelius Thank you. I didn't realize that Doc Jones had a book. And seeds are always a wonderful gift.😊
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@JennyT It also comes with a business card that has the recommended dosage based on age!
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@Cornelius It has dosage recommendations?! That's awesome. That's one thing I'm trying to figure out with my kids, dosages.
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If you're very serious I recommend consider taking classes on the subject. There are many schools with online courses that will walk you through the how to's step by step. Also books are an excellent resource that will be invaluable. You may appreciate the materials for start up such as commonly used herbs, glass jars, amber dropper bottles, etc.
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