08/12/2022
INTRODUCTION TO NATURAL HERBS
By: Hlonepho Thokoa
How to Harvest Herbs
All herbal medicines start as living beings. They are not always what most people traditionally think of as herbs. Medicines come from trees, flowers, roots, mushrooms, lichens, and more. While those who are interested in herbal medicines tend to grow an herb garden, some are harvested from plants that grow in the wild. It is a useful skill to learn how to identify medicine in the wild. When looking at pictures for plant identification, be sure to look at pictures that depict plants in the various stages of their life cycle. A good plant identification guide for your area is essential. Many people know flower identification; but when the plants are not in flower, they can’t identify them. Considering how short the flowering season is for most plants, that severely limits the amount of time for harvest.
Before even thinking about harvesting herbs, it is necessary to understand how the herb will be used; specifically, what part of the plant will be used for medicinal purposes. Never assume that the whole plant carries the same chemical compounds. Often, only the leaves or the flower will provide what you need; but in some cases, it will be the bark of a tree or a piece of root that you will need to harvest. It is best to harvest herbs early in the day, after the dew has gone, but before the hot sun can dry out the essential oils. Whenever possible, avoid harvesting the whole plant, unless it is a plant that needs to be collected whole.
If you are harvesting leaves you will usually cut off small branches, making it easier to dry them. For flowers, wait until they develop fully and harvest them as soon as possible after they have fully opened. If you are harvesting only the seeds, you’ll need to wait until the seeds mature and the seed pod dries on the stem before harvesting If you are cutting part of a stem, such as harvesting stinging nettle, be sure to leave at least a few inches of leafy stem, with at least two sets of leaves on it, so that the plant doesn’t die. Always cut right above the point where the leaves are. With many plants, like basil, you can cut the plant down to a third its original size without killing it. Always reseed, replant, and tend the wild when possible. Harvest ethically and with great care.