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Herbology Fridays: Collecting and Gathering Herbs

In witchcraft, you will see a ton of herbs that people will claim you will need. While for the most part, this is true, some of you may feel the need to grow these herbs yourself and collect them. This can actually make the herb more connected to you, but some of you may not feel that way and that’s perfectly okay! This lesson will be going over how to gather and collect certain types of herbs many of us witches and herbalist may find ourselves wanting to collect when we’re out and about!

Before I continue, please consult a medical professional before deciding to take any botanical drug(note: all herbs can be considered a drug as they all usually have medical purposes as well as cooking purposes). No WebMD does not count. Go to an actual doctor. Also, please check legality laws in your area about distributing if that is your goal with this part of the lesson. This lesson will also go over shipping these items for the herbalist who wishes to have a shop.

Let’s Start the Lesson!

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Each part of a plant for its herbal purposes will have a different method of gathering it. You wouldn’t collect bark in the same way you would collect roots. So, let’s go over that, shall we?

Collecting Leaves:

The weather should be clear and dry,

Should be collected when the plant is in bloom(Mature at this time)

Clip off undamaged leaves(no wilting or insect-eating holes)(this is pruning the plant and not at all important you can leave them if you want.)

Take the leaves in good condition(Not all of them only what you need.)

Wash the herbs in water

Pat them dry from the water

Spread the leaves out on a drying rack(or in a place where drying can occur

Shift the leaves ever so often to keep from clumping and accumulating dampness

When leaves are dry, store them in a sealable bag or jar to keep as fresh as you possibly can.

Collecting Flowers:

Flowers should be in full bloom

Don’t take every flower, only what you need

Wash the flowers in water

Pat dry

Place in a dry place and let dry out(You may have a better result if you hang them upside down)

When dry, clip off extra stems(if any) and store inside a sealable bag or container.

Collecting Bulbs

When the leaves start to wilt and die is when bulbs should be collected.

When brought from the ground, the outer layer should be removed

Wash the bulb and pat dry.

You can use artificial heat(nothing over 100 degrees) or let dry naturally which could take longer.

Collecting Bark:

Collect in fall or spring

Scrape off or peel off the bark(as a witch, id be apologizing constantly and if you’re the type, leave an offering ;^;)

Wash the bark off in water

Pat dry

Let dry in sunlight

Collecting Roots

The one thing that wasn’t in my book was how to collect roots, so here’s a quick little guide.

Collect when the plant dies(Aka will not come back to life)

Separate the thinnest roots from the thickest

Use the thin roots as a fertilizer for other plants

Take the thicker roots and wash them

Pat dry with a towel

Let dry out in the sunlight

Collecting Seeds:

Seeds should be gathered when the plant produces them and they are ripe

Bigger seeds should be dried out

Smaller seeds should be used to make more plants if needed

Dry out in the sunlight

Shipping and Selling Botanicals

Shipments should be made with an order, never before(even if you know they will need it, do not do this because you do not know the quantity they need until you get their order).

Make sure all products are dried out and dry before shipping for they could mold and you’ll get an angry customer

Shipments should either be in plastic containers or plastic bags for travel

Every shipment should be marked clearly with your name, the buyers name and where it needs to be shipped to as well as other important information the post office needs.

Be sure to contact the buyers when their shipment has been sent out so they can expect it.

Tracking numbers would also be great to send out as well.

Always remain in contact with a buyer until their shipment has arrived and even after just in case.

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And that is the end of this lesson. My next lesson will actually start going over herbs, their uses, and associations! Be safe my Sprouts and please join me for my next lesson!

Sincerely,

The Sleepy Witch

Complied from my personal grimoire

Created: (02/13/18)

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