Guide to Harvesting Wild Herbs: How, Where and When

Harvesting wild herbs has thought me a lot, and firstly, patience, alertness and respect to the nature. This article might not bring anything new to those who are experienced in harvesting wild herbs, but as more and more people are turning to the treasures of Mother Nature and just learning how to harvest and store plants properly, I though this article might be useful. Another reason why I'm passing this information is because I often hear questions like "How do you know when it's the right time?", "How do you find these plants?" and "How do you dry them properly?" So, let's make it clear!

1. Know what you are harvesting

That's the main rule: recognize plants and harvest the right ones. Just like you I'm not a walking encyclopedia and there are many plants that I don't recognize. I harvest only those plants that I know and don't try to brew a tea out of anything I don't recognize. If there is a herb I can't find or recognize in nature - I get seeds and grow them. If there is a strange plant that catches my attention I put some efforts into finding what is it.

Having a book of wild healing plants that grow in your area might be the best helper you can get, if you don't have any wise friend or neighbor who might help. If you don't have that book already, it's time to get it. The main rule here: get a book that tells about wild plants in your area. I'm living with a book in local language from 1968 and I haven't seen any better than that one (I haven't seen that book ever re-published as well). A book that tells about magical healing plants around the world might be really interesting, but it also can turn out as not very helpful if you want to go into nature and harvest what you can get.

Despite having a book, that's been my favorite books since childhood, pretty often I'm turning for help to internet resources as well.  Google helps, and that's true. The main rule for looking up plants online:  search plants by their Latin names. If you don't recognize plants well, firstly search online their Latin names. Yes, and I check hundreds of pictures looking them up by Latin names. For example, if you write in Google search "plantain" or "waybread" you might get confused of how many different results you will get. The same local plant name might mean many different things and in different areas different plants might carry the same name - truly confusing.  When you have found out that "plantain" or "waybread" in Latin is called "Plantago Major" Google gives you exactly what you've been looking for. Google search actually has thought me why I should pay attention to these international Latin names. (By the way, I've noticed that also seeds you can buy in shops or online might have poorly translated or wrongly interpreted names, so knowing the Latin name helps here as well to see if that's what you've been looking for.)

2. Get tools

Mostly it's enough with scissors to harvest overground parts and a sharp knife and a small shovel for harvesting roots. If you are harvesting something like stinging nettle, gloves might help as well.

Oh, there are plants that can be easily plucked off without any tools, but I still would use scissors or a knife to get my herb without damaging the part of the plant that remains and will keep growing. I have no idea who told it to me or where I've read it, but harvesting plants I always remember: there is a difference in how you feel when someone cuts your hair and when your hair is pulled and plucked. Yes, that's being gentle and respectful to plant you are harvesting for your own needs.

3. Find the place

Two main rules here: don't get plants that grow close to big roads, landfills, factories and other places where plants are not clean from poisonous substances and don't harvest plants in places where just a few of them are growing. I guess the first one is clear, I just want to add that cities and their public parks and green zones should also be excluded from places to harvest the best of what the nature can give you.

The second rule is related to ethical harvesting. If you see just a few meadowsweet flowers -leave them where they are to let them grow, get stronger and spread. Also, if there are just some  yarrows, don't take them all. Those who harvest wild plants don't do it just once and have learnt that simple truth that if you harvest everything you see around, you might have nothing to bring home from the same meadow the next year and the worst case scenario is that you simply can exterminate the growth of specific plants in specific areas. Find a place where are plenty of those plants you want to harvest or get them in places where you don't want them (like dandelions and stinging nettle in your garden). When you are in wilderness, respect what it gives. Better dig out less of those calamus roots than forget seeing them in your area at all.

4. The right time

Ok, different plants have different harvesting time. Some of them have to be harvested in early spring, some others on autumn, some plants before flowering and others in full blooms. That's why you make your little research for each herb you want to get. Educate yourself.

Most of the plants also should be harvested in dry, sunny weather around midday when they are fully opened and their healing powers are strong. Harvesting plants in dry weather will also help you to dry them properly, as mostly you don't wash or soak them in water before drying to keep their powers, that's also one of the reasons why you shouldn't harvest plants in dusty roadsides.

As you might have heard the Moon affects Earth and waters on our planet. It affects plants and herbs as well by gravitational force. Basically, the Moon forces chemical substances (healing properties) up and down in the plants depending on it's phases and it's position against Earth and Sun.  There are times when I harvest herbs without taking in account Moon phases - just when I can get them, and that's ok, but harvesting herbs by the Moon gives more powers to your healing herbs.  So, when the Moon grows from New into a Full Moon it pulls the plant juices and substances up - away from the Earth, so it's the best time to harvest leaves, stems and other above ground parts. In full Moon the best that's inside plants gets concentrated in flowers, but after the Full Moon everything get's pushed back closer to the Earth so it's the best time to harvest roots. Here is a nice Lunar Calendar if you haven't got one: MoonConnection.com Moon Phases

5. After harvesting

So, you recognize plants, you've got tools, you have the place and know the right time for harvesting plants. You are ready. I'm standing for ethical harvesting, so there are some more things to remember: firstly - don't take more than you need (and then simply throw them out), secondly, if you are getting roots, remember not to leave holes in the ground - there might be other roots or parts of the same root you've got and they might be strong enough to grow - get some soil or sod back on these roots. 

I don't usually wash my herbs before drying them, so I'm trying to harvest them in clean places - wild nature away from... well you already know it. :) If you wash your plants from dust, dry them with a cloth or a paper towel before hanging or laying out for drying out so that you could store them. For washing roots don't soak them in water too long, but better wash them in running water and dry with a cloth or paper towel. Too much of moisture simply will make them to mildew, not dry out so that you could use them later. 

6. Drying herbs

Some people dry herbs in the oven, some people use dehydrators, I let them dry naturally. The main rule here:  do not dry them in the direct sunlight because it makes plants to loose more of their healing powers. The best place is warm, dry, shady and well ventilated. In summer I usually hang little herb whisks in a shady place outside and bring them inside on evening to protect from dew. You can also lay out leaves or flowers in a thin layer on a flat dish, turn them over and mix from times to times to dry out properly. Inside our outside - it doesn't matter as long as you can save them from direct sunlight and moisture.

It's a bit more difficult with roots as they are thick and it takes more time for them to dry out, but if you cut them in too small pieces that will dry out faster, they will loose more powers. Probably, dehydrator might be handy here, but as I don't use it I really can't give you any advice here. 

7. Storing dried herbs

I know that it looks great to leave them in glass jars exposed to your guest in bright lights so that they could appreciate your hobby and the good work you have done, but if you have herbs for using them not just showing out, store them properly. If you store them in a wrong way  they just lose their flavors, colors and powers. The best way to store herbs is storing them in dry, dark places. If you have ceramic dishes and pots with lids or dark glass jars and other dishes that you can cover - great, then you are allowed to leave them for everyone's eyes. I mostly store  my herbs in covered glass jars in kitchen sideboard. Another option is storing them in paper bags or cornets, but never in plastic containers.  

For how long time you can store dried herbs? Maximum - 2 years, but I usually don't store herbs for more than a year and get new ones every year, except if I've got something rare or I've gathered roots (like valerian root) that can be stored up for longer. 

More or less I think I've told everything I know :) Share your experiences and advises in the comments!