Beginning herbalism can feel overwhelming. There are hundreds of plants to learn, countless books to read, and an endless stream of information telling you what you should know next. It's easy to wonder where to begin, or to feel like you'll never know enough.
So You Want to Be an Herbalist was written to offer a clear, approachable foundation for anyone ready to begin their herbal journey. You'll explore the building blocks of herbalism, including herbal actions and energetics, herbal preparations and medicine making, plant study and observation, materia medica, and the process of developing your own herbal practice. Rather than simply telling you which herbs are “good for” which conditions, the book helps you begin understanding how herbalists actually think about plants, preparations, people, and the relationships between them.
You'll learn how to recognize different herbal actions, begin working with energetics, understand why preparation methods matter, and approach herbs with safety and intention. You'll also explore how to study a plant beyond memorizing a list of uses—through research, observation, tasting, making medicine, and paying attention to your own experiences over time.
At the heart of the book is a simple idea: herbalism isn't about collecting as much information as possible. It's about learning how to learn herbalism. You don't need to memorize hundreds of plants before you can begin. Instead, you can start with a few plants, get curious about them, work with them in different ways, and slowly build knowledge that feels lived rather than simply memorized.
That philosophy carries into the dedicated materia medica pages at the back of the book. Rather than filling them with plants I chose for you, I intentionally left them blank so that you can create a materia medica based on the plants you actually encounter and work with. As you study, observe, taste, prepare, and build relationships with herbs, your notes become part of the book itself, transforming your copy into a personalized herbal reference that can continue growing alongside you.
Whether you're completely new to herbalism or have been learning for a while and want to strengthen your foundation, So You Want to Be an Herbalist offers a grounded path forward. You don't need to know every herb, memorize every action, or have all the answers before you start. You just need somewhere to begin.
If you'd like a little more guidance putting what you're learning into practice, choose the Book + Companion Bundle.
The Herbalist's Companion is a 17-page printable digital guide designed to help you deepen your relationship with the plants you're studying. Inside, you'll find an expanded guide to building your personal materia medica, a reusable Plant Observation Guide, and a seasonal Reciprocity Ritual designed to move your herbal practice beyond the page and into observation, experience, and relationship.
Choose the bundle and receive the physical book + digital Companion for $42.
Beginning herbalism can feel overwhelming. There are hundreds of plants to learn, countless books to read, and an endless stream of information telling you what you should know next. It's easy to wonder where to begin, or to feel like you'll never know enough.
So You Want to Be an Herbalist was written to offer a clear, approachable foundation for anyone ready to begin their herbal journey. You'll explore the building blocks of herbalism, including herbal actions and energetics, herbal preparations and medicine making, plant study and observation, materia medica, and the process of developing your own herbal practice. Rather than simply telling you which herbs are “good for” which conditions, the book helps you begin understanding how herbalists actually think about plants, preparations, people, and the relationships between them.
You'll learn how to recognize different herbal actions, begin working with energetics, understand why preparation methods matter, and approach herbs with safety and intention. You'll also explore how to study a plant beyond memorizing a list of uses—through research, observation, tasting, making medicine, and paying attention to your own experiences over time.
At the heart of the book is a simple idea: herbalism isn't about collecting as much information as possible. It's about learning how to learn herbalism. You don't need to memorize hundreds of plants before you can begin. Instead, you can start with a few plants, get curious about them, work with them in different ways, and slowly build knowledge that feels lived rather than simply memorized.
That philosophy carries into the dedicated materia medica pages at the back of the book. Rather than filling them with plants I chose for you, I intentionally left them blank so that you can create a materia medica based on the plants you actually encounter and work with. As you study, observe, taste, prepare, and build relationships with herbs, your notes become part of the book itself, transforming your copy into a personalized herbal reference that can continue growing alongside you.
Whether you're completely new to herbalism or have been learning for a while and want to strengthen your foundation, So You Want to Be an Herbalist offers a grounded path forward. You don't need to know every herb, memorize every action, or have all the answers before you start. You just need somewhere to begin.
If you'd like a little more guidance putting what you're learning into practice, choose the Book + Companion Bundle.
The Herbalist's Companion is a 17-page printable digital guide designed to help you deepen your relationship with the plants you're studying. Inside, you'll find an expanded guide to building your personal materia medica, a reusable Plant Observation Guide, and a seasonal Reciprocity Ritual designed to move your herbal practice beyond the page and into observation, experience, and relationship.
Choose the bundle and receive the physical book + digital Companion for $42.
