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Finding Herbs – Where & How Herbs Grow Matters
When it comes to using herbs for medicinal purposes, the most important thing to consider is where and how they are grown. Organic is best, so you can get all the power and potency of the herb with no pesticides or other chemical compounds.
Not sure exactly what herbalism is? Read my post about it here:Â http://holisticwellnessrn.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-herbalism/
Grow them yourself
You can of course grow them yourself. Small window boxes are suitable for an apartment. If you have a garden, you can grow an array of fresh herbs you can use any time you wish.
Source them locally
 If you don’t have a green thumb, consider buying them at a local farmer’s market. Chances are they are being grown organically (but do ask) and will also be a lot fresher than anything you can get in a supermarket.
When choosing the herbs, make sure they do not look yellow, curly or wilted. Know before you go by looking up pictures of the herbs you want to buy so you can see what they look like fresh.
Check the smell. It should be lively and fresh. Take a taste. If it is full-flavored, it should be fresh.
Source them online
There are a number of companies that sell organic herbs and botanicals in bulk online at reasonable prices. They will often sell them in different weights of packages as well, so you can buy exactly what you need as freshly as possible.
This post may contain affiliate links. I may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
Starwest Botanicals, based in Sacramento, California, has been selling high-quality organic herbs since 1975. Basil is a commonly used herb. Basil is delicious on pizza and pasta as well as in sauces and soups. You can get Starwest Botanicals basil below.
The Frontier Co-op, based in Norway, Iowa, has been in business since 1976 and sells herbs and botanicals in bulk. Parsley enhances the flavor of grilled vegetables and roasted potatoes. Below you can purchase a 1 lb. bulk page of organic, kosher parsley.
 
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Reading labels
 When you’re in a health food store considering the dazzling array of products available, a few items of information can help you narrow down your choices. Look for the word organic, and/or a logo that says USDA certified organic. Look at the country of origin. Try to source your herbs from the US, Canada and the European Union, rather than China.
Follow these simple guidelines and you should be able to source safe, healthy herbs
Preparing and Preserving Medicinal Herbs
Preparing and preserving medicinal herbs is easy once you know how. It depends on the herb and what you are going to be using it for. Some herbal medicines come from flowers, others from roots, stems, leaves, and so on.
Collecting Medicinal Plants
 The first step is in knowing what you want and whether it grows in your area. This map can help if you are in the United States. http://www.slate.com/content/dam/slate/blogs/the_vault/2015/05/13/LgMedicinalPlants.jpg
Know what the plant looks like so you can harvest it. Some photos from Google Images can help. Some can look very similar without a good picture to match it. Don’t pick within at least 1 mile of a highway, due to lead contamination from car exhaust fumes. Look for areas where the herb grows abundantly, which will suggest good soil. Pick around mid-morning, so the herbs are not soaked with dew, which can make them get moldy.
Take only the parts you need. If you need leaves, choose tender, unwilted ones. Avoid flowers that are losing their petals, because they will already be past their prime. If you need bark, cut small branches from the tree and then strip them. You don’t want to run the risk of ruining the whole tree with poor de-barking.
Put your herbs in small cotton or muslin bags. Keep separate to avoid confusion. Try not to crush your herbs on the way home.
Drying
As soon as you get home, dry your herbs to store them. The fast method is indoor oven drying. The slower method is outdoor frame drying.
In the oven, you can dry herbs in a matter of 1 hour that would take up to 6 weeks to dry on a frame. Spread out the herbs one baking trays so they do not overlap. Cover the trays with aluminum foil, reflective side down. Pinch the foil around the edges of the tray, leaving a small vent in one corner to let moisture escape.
Place the tray into the oven and set the temperature to 150°F. Bake for15 minutes. Remove the tray from the oven and turn the herbs over to ensure that the moisture is drawn out evenly from all sides of the plant. Re-cover and bake another 15 minutes. Do not allow plants to burn to a dark brown or black color or all potency will be lost. Test the herbs after 30 minutes and 45 minutes. If the leaves or other botanicals crumble in your hand without powdering, and it is a similar color to the original, it is fully dried.
The disadvantages of this method are that many people cook the herbs, not dry them, and they lose about 1/3 to 1/2 of their potency.
 Frame Drying
With frame drying, the herbs lose about 1/4 of their potency, but it takes weeks and you need the space. You need a wooden frame and will have to turn the herbs over every day. If any of the herbs are really damp, they can make a whole batch go moldy.
Storing
Once they are dried, they should be stored in a dry container in a cool, dry place for use in various forms of remedies.
Remember, 70% of our pharmaceutical products are derived from plants. Why not go straight to a plant to help treat your ailments?