Lesson 2.2
Plant Identification & Harvesting
Budding herbalist, plant identification will become a part of your daily practice in some way. Whether you choose to specialize in medicine-making and work primarily at the table or counter-top with ready-made tinctures and dried herbs or powders, or love the idea of foraging in the wild and collecting plants by hand, plant identification is essential. Remember, you get to choose the niche(s) in herbalism that call to you. These desires may also change as you grow in your learning. Herbs can look very different from fresh to dried, and sometimes indistinguishable from one another, especially once ground into a powder. So, learning how to identify plants, even if you start with just a few, will increase your confidence and knowledge as Herbalist. This is also a good time for you to think about how you will store your herbs.
As, we’ll discuss later, how you store your herbs is not only essential for their shelf-lives, but also for your organization and sanity! As you become more experienced working with plants and especially if you start a practice working with clients, you’ll need a system and some space to store your herbs. This doesn’t mean you need a sophisticated process or an entire room (although that sounds lovely!) – you could dedicate two shelves in your pantry or a single cupboard on a cool side of your kitchen to get started. Classic glass mason jars, bottles for tinctures and sticky labels are basically all you need to easily start a home apothecary.
If you are concerned that you don’t have any experience in botany or plant identification, don’t be! Today, there are many ways to learn, thanks to books, pictures, and videos. While this will not replace being in nature to see, touch and smell a plant, they do give you the opportunity to learn a little each day, which may not be possible even outdoors, depending on the climate, season, or other factors.
I would highly recommend the book, Botany in a Day, by Thomas J. Elpel, which focuses on the patterns-method of plant identification for plant families in North America. Learning to identify plants based on their families makes for less overwhelm and more cohesion. As you begin to understand the similarities and differences among plant families, it becomes easier to identify a plant, even if it is your first time encountering it. Thomas Elpel has also created a set of flash cards to help with on-the-go learning and retention. Although this author has highlighted plants mostly in North America, many of these plants have been cultivated or are native to other areas around the world. You can also do some basic research in your local library or online to locate the herbs of your choice. You should find traditional/ethnobotanical uses and images of those plants.
It is vital to note the importance of knowing exactly what you are harvesting, so you can avoid contact with poisonous plants or do not harvest the wrong plant, at the very least. This brings us to some simple guidelines around harvesting.
When we use herbs for healing, we can connect with the spirit and energy of the plants. If you get quiet enough, you just might be able to "feel" a plant respond to you (therefore, displaying a resonance with you). Whether you establish this relationship before, during or after they are harvested, this intention is a beautiful part of the healing process. There is great empowerment in the identifying, observing, or gathering of plant medicines (whether fresh or dried), as this allows us to be grateful for their natural healing properties on a mind-body-spirit level.
If you feel drawn to foraging or harvesting your own plants, you have the unique opportunity of sharing your own vibrational energy with them. Avoid harvesting when you are angry, as this energy reduces your consciousness and clouds thoughts and communication between you and the plants. I believe that harvesting can be a sacred practice, like meditation, prayer or smudging/cleansing using herbs like Sage, Lavender, or Palo Santo.
Medicinal plants can be grown in pots or in a garden, so no matter where you live, you may be capable of cultivating your favorite herbs right at home. If you feel a symbiotic relationship with your herbs, you can leave an offering to Mother Earth after harvesting. This can be as simple as saying, “Thank you,” or placing a crystal or discarded plant parts into the soil.
We also often hear the term wildcrafted when it comes to herbs. This generally implies that a plant is harvested from its native or natural habitat. Keep in mind that these herbs are not classified as certified organic, because they have not undergone the same type of testing as certified organic plants; however, we can consider them organic, as they are not treated with insecticides or pesticides. They simply grow naturally in the wild.
Take a moment to consider your take on this. Do you feel connected to the idea of using plants in the wild? Or do you prefer to use herbs grown in a more controlled environment? Is it essential to you that cultivated herbs not be treated with chemicals or any other type of adulteration? Your stance will lead your personal philosophy and practice around how you use herbs for yourself and others.
When to Harvest
Generally, you’ll want to harvest the desired plant parts during the season when their energy is most concentrated. Like fruits and vegetables, plants can be affected by the season, climate and even the time of day or month.
Here’s a seasonal and cyclic guide to help you understand the best time to collect the plant parts you want to use.
Spring – stalk, leaves (ex. Leafy greens)
Summer – fruits, berries, flowers (ex. Hawthorne berry)
Fall – roots (ex. Dandelion root)
Winter – roots; however, the ground may be too hard (or possibly frozen) to loosen
Full moon – aerial parts (all plant parts that grow above ground, including bark)
New moon - roots
Before harvesting, it’s essential to employ a few commonsense tips.
Be sure you’ve identified the correct plant!
Know how you plan to prepare the parts harvested (especially if using fresh).
Know when to harvest.
Assess the condition of the plant. Does it look healthy? Any sign of pesticide use? If so, choose another plant.
Avoid harvesting plants from the roadside, as these are exposed to vehicle fumes and other chemicals.
