How do I incorporate herbalism into my life?
It's all so overwhelming and I don't know where to start.
Do you want to be proficient in some herbs to make basic things at home to help when you know you can and don’t necessarily need to run to the emergency room for something simple as a cough?
I completely understand that feeling, so many people feel this way and end up mostly reading online about herbal remedies, buying a bunch of unnecessary equipment, buy a ton of books… and then don’t go on to incorporate it into their lives like they would like to.
Is there a way to make a guide for those like you to learn herbs, and actually use them? Yes, and we are going to go over some things you can do starting today.
Understand this is a very involved subject to want to learn.
There are many herbs with long histories.
There are many ways to prepare herbal remedies.
What we want to do with something like herbalism, which is an entire subject that you can get lost in for years is to pick one simple thing at a time to master that makes sense for you and your household.
Partake in motivational self-talk. You should be encouraging yourself to change your mind set about herbalism being a big, daunting subject.
Start with the most popular and common herbs used in remedies.
This can mean just going to the grocery store and buying straight chamomile tea.
Then you drink chamomile tea in your daily routine and note how you like it, how it tastes, what changes you have noticed since implementing it into your routine.
Change up how you use your initial herb. Toss a tea bag of chamomile into a bath as a different way the herb is used. Try this a few times to get the same herb into a different area of your life.
This is the most important way you can learn about herbs. Take it one by one.
Here is a list for you to get started:
Chamomile
Peppermint
Ginger
Lavender
Hibiscus
Lemon balm
Rose
Dandelion
Fennel
Catnip
These are all easily found in tea or tea blends. The box is labeled with benefits, and you may find I have an article about an herb you have chosen - give that article a read for ideas on your chosen herb.
Slow and steady wins the race.
Try an herb of the month so you do not get overwhelmed by trying to cram too much into your life at once. There is no need to buy a ton of mason jars or bulk herbs or the books you see that you need. This will overwhelm you right now. We can get into books and equipment later.
Start drinking chamomile tea this week. Only have a cup or two and notice that it becomes passive next week.
Next week you will keep drinking your tea and enjoying it as it becomes part of your normal routine.
On the third week, take a bath and toss your tea bag into the bath to soothe your skin and anxiety. You continue drinking tea.
By the fourth week, you will have developed the habit of drinking a cup of tea on a daily basis. You are well on your way to being a person who partakes in regular herbalism.
The next month you may be interested in peppermint! Start using it in your teas.
Other ways to incorporate herbalism/herbs into your life
Keeping a stock of tea for a few different ailments and go to those instead of a pill or pharma product. Use a daily tea in your routine so you can continue reaping the benefits.
Try aromatherapy - lavender, peppermint, and geranium are good starter oils for diffusing. (Avoid diffusing around your pets) (we will have more posts about essential oils later, so no need to worry about getting into this just yet)
Learn about the medicinal benefits of herbs you routinely use in cooking. This will boost your confidence in knowing you use health boosting herbs already without even realizing it.
Infuse your cooking oils with herbs. Olive oil is a great start and easy to do. Rosemary in olive oil is a very common one.
Think about what ways your life would be improved with an herbal routine and start there. If you want to learn more about tea, start there. If you want to learn more about essential oils, start there. And so on.
Ideas and tips for common herbal usage around the house:
Herbal Milk:
Looking to unwind and get better sleep? Herbal milk (or moon milk as some call it) might be just what you need.
This is an ayurvedic practice and has been around for a long time. There are countless recipes you can try, but making a simple herbal milk to wind down in the evening is a great place to start with an herbal routine.
Common ingredients:
Ashwagandha
Rose
Lavender
Mushroom powders like Reishi
Maca Root
Chamomile
Catnip
Turmeric
Cinnamon
Nutmeg
Cardamom
Vanilla & Honey
Saffron
My Favorite relaxing milk is rose, lavender, and chamomile with a little honey and vanilla. You can also make a spiced milk with cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom and honey.
For mine:
1 tsp of rose, lavender, and chamomile.
8 oz of milk
prep your cup and prepare the milk and herbs just like you would tea, heating the milk low and slow and steeping the herbs in the milk.
add your vanilla and honey for a dash of sweetness.
It’s similar to having a cup of hot chocolate, and if you make a spiced milk, adding some cocoa can make it taste like you are!
Bath Soaks:
Adding herbs to your bath soaks can provide a range of benefits, including stress relief, muscle relaxation, and skin nourishment.
Herbs such as lavender, chamomile, and eucalyptus are known for their calming properties, which can help soothe the nervous system and promote relaxation. Herbal baths can help relieve muscle tension, reduce inflammation, and open pores, allowing the skin to absorb the beneficial properties of the herbs. This can be a great way to create a quiet sanctuary for self-care, allowing you to retreat, reflect, and refresh.
My favorite bath:
1/2 cup Epsom salts
1/2 cup Himalayan pink salt
2 tsp chamomile
2 tsp rose petals
1 tsp lavender
mix all ingredients and add to a reusable tea bag (to prevent plant material going down the drain) and add to bathtub before filling with hot water.
Don’t buy everything at once:
If you want to start small, buy one pack of 3 different herbs so you can start learning about those three herbs first.
Chamomile, rose and lavender are great starters for self-care and relaxation.
If you are interested in learning about essential oils:
geranium
lavender
eucalyptus
peppermint
frankincense
These essential oils are popular for their various therapeutic properties and are commonly used in aromatherapy, personal care products, and holistic health practices.
Incorporating natural remedies into your daily routine doesn't have to be confusing or overwhelming. By embracing simple and enjoyable methods, you can seamlessly integrate the benefits of herbs into your life. Whether it's through soothing herbal teas, nourishing herbal infusions, or relaxing herb-infused baths, there are numerous ways to make natural remedies a part of your everyday wellness journey.
Incorporating natural remedies into your daily life can be both simple and rewarding, offering a deeper connection to the healing power of nature.
I hope you will keep following along on this publication to continue learning simple ways to make herbs work for you in your life.