European Herbalism: A Home Practice
Herbal Medicine as Daily Practice
The practice of herbal medicine begins with noticing. A sprig of lemon balm rising through the soil in spring, the bitter taste of dandelion greens on the tongue, the soothing scent of chamomile flowers steeping in hot water. From these simple encounters grows a relationship with plants, with seasons, and with the body’s own rhythms of health and healing.
Herbal Resources to Support You and Your Loved Ones
GROWING AND HARVESTING HERBS
This eBook by Henriette Kress, Practical Herbs, details how to develop an herbal medicine practice, from growing and harvesting to medicine-making and using specific plants for various conditions. She teaches how to plant, tend, and harvest, how to transform herbs into teas, tinctures, and salves, and how to apply them with confidence for everyday ailments. What shines through her work is the reminder that herbalism is not separate from daily life. It is woven into our kitchens, gardens, and the care we offer our families.
CHILDREN AND WELLNESS
Gain support here for taking care of little ones with herbs during cold and flu season. For parents and caregivers, this knowledge is especially empowering. Children often move through cycles of colds and fevers as their immune systems strengthen. Herbs can be gentle allies here: elderberry syrup to support immunity, thyme tea for a lingering cough, or chamomile to soothe restless sleep.
TREATING INFECTIONS HERBALLY
Christopher Hobbs put together this terrific resource about herbs for infections and related diseases. Hobbs adds another layer with his extensive work on herbs for infections. He bridges traditional wisdom with modern research, showing how antimicrobial and immune-modulating plants—such as garlic, echinacea, and astragalus—can help the body resist and resolve infections. His resource is a valuable companion for anyone seeking evidence-based herbal strategies for resilience.
HERBAL DIGESTIVE HEALTH
Larken Bunce created this helpful document on herbs for digestive health. Because so much of our health begins in the gut, Larken has created a thoughtful resource on digestive herbs. From carminatives like fennel and ginger that ease bloating, to bitters that prime the stomach for efficient digestion, her work reminds us that herbs don’t just treat illness—they foster balance and strengthen the foundation of wellbeing.
Herbalism is not about quick fixes. It is about relationship: plant to person, person to body, body to earth. These resources are starting points, but the real medicine comes when we prepare a cup of tea, rub an infused oil into a child’s skin, or tend to a patch of herbs in the garden. In those moments, healing becomes embodied, accessible, and alive.
