PLEASE READ —> I created this supplies guide years ago and while the info here is still what I would write today, links have not been updated and I haven’t added that all of these items are now available for purchase at my apothecary Wild Heart Herb House in New Bedford, MA! All this to say, updated supplies guide coming soon!
Starting a home herbalism practice is easy
In fact, you probably already have most of the kitchen + storage supplies that you need!
Over the past 10 years that I have been making medicine for myself, my family, and my community, I have found that there are tools that make certain tasks much easier. Here is a supply list for you to check off as you begin or continue your healing path with plants!
Glass Jars - Any size, shape, color will do! You can purchase glass jars of all sizes or simply reuse salsa and spaghetti sauce jars. I do a bit of both and use different jars for different reasons. You can find a short video about all the ways I use jars by clicking here. You will use these jars for storing dried herbs, infused oils, and macerating tinctures among many other things!
Glass Measuring Cups - Perfect for measuring liquids and making infused oils and salves on the stove with a double boiler method. Click here to see how.
Large Mixing Bowl for mixing your herbal infusion (tea) blends. I prefer bowls made from wood, glass, ceramic, or you can use a crystal bowl for a little extra magic! Click here to watch me combine herbs for an infusion blend.
Cheese Cloth or Coffee Filters for straining herbs out of tinctures and infused oils. Cheesecloth will get out the bigger pieces of plant matter quicker and coffee filters will strain out even the smallest particles. Oil takes longer to strain than vinegar or alcohol so give it time.
Mesh Strainer or Colander - Place the cheese cloth or coffee filter inside your colander or strainer to make straining mush easier. Click here to watch me strain an infused oil using both methods.
Funnels for filling jars and bottles. A regular sized funnel is great for most uses and I find very small funnels necessary for putting tinctures in dropper bottles because you don't want to spill any of your precious medicine!
Small Scale - Many herb recipes are by weight so you need a scale that measures down to 1/2 oz. I know you have one hanging around from when you couldn't buy cannabis at the store...
Crock Pot - My preferred method of making herb infused oils. And vegetarian chili. And spiked spiced apple cider. Yum!
Masking Tape + Permanent Marker for labeling in detail all of your creations. You may think that you’ll remember, but speaking from experience, you won’t! Label each concoction with the date you made it, ingredients, and any other relevant info you don't want to forget including where the plants are from or why you made this potion.
Tea Strainer or Tea Bags to strain plant matter out of your infusions and decoctions. There are lots of different options including small mesh strainers, straws that strain, and compostable paper bags. Experiment and choose what works best for you.
Beeswax is what you add to an infused herbal oil to make it a salve. It is used to harden oils so they're less messy and easier to store and apply. Beeswax also has powerful protecting and softening properties. I recommend using beeswax pellets or pastilles are they are much easier to measure + melt than blocks.
Water - Kind of obvious, but having clean drinking water running directly into my home is one of my absolute favorite things to be grateful for! Hot water is a simple yet highly effective mentrusm (a liquid that extracts potent plant medicinal qualities) that I use almost every day when making daily herbal infusions, or herbal tea.
Alcohol is the most commonly used solvent for tinctures. It extracts potent plant constituents and lasts for many years. I love to use tequila or vodka and decide which one to use by asking the plants! I know that might seem weird but I always have a very strong intuitive feeling as to which I should use and the longer you work with plants, the easier it is to listen to your inner knowing.
Apple Cider Vinegar is also frequently used in herbalism. It is used for non-alcoholic tinctures and seasonal tonics like Fire Cider in the fall and liver detoxifying herbal vinegar in the spring. I like to use raw organic apple cider vinegar with the mother, which means its the least processed and also includes beneficial enzymes and bacteria.
High Quality Oil - Some great options for infused oils and salves are Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Sunflower Oil, and Coconut Oil. Try to find the most organic, unrefined, and cold pressed option available. While all oils have different "weight" which affects why you might use one over the other, olive oil being heavy for eczema salve and sunflower being light for use on your face, more expensive doesn't necessarily mean better. When you're in the initial experimenting phase use what you've got!
Plants! Lots and lots of plants! Go outside and see what's growing in your backyard, connect with herbalists in your community or online, read books, watch youtube videos, do whatever feels right for you to connect with plant allies on your healing path. Plants love to co-create with humans, they are just waiting for you to discover their magic! Here are some of my favorite herbs to collaborate with.
I hope this guide was helpful in gathering materials to concoct potent plant medicine!
If possible, clean out a cabinet in your kitchen to have a dedicated space to store your plant specific tools and supplies. This is also a great place to store dried herbs and jars of your potions.
Have so much fun learning + growing with our vibrant friends in the plant world!
Want to learn more about identifying the plants in your own backyard? Click here!
How about harvesting and drying herbs? I've got a video for you right here.
Any questions or comments? Fill out the boxes below and I will get back to you shortly!
HI! I’M NICO
I’m a yoga teacher, meditation guide, and whole plant herbalist.
My love for the outdoors began at an early age by exploring my backyard, the coastline, and the woods with my family.
Plants have always been a big part of life starting with a pretty significant houseplant collection and evolving to a deep fascination and connection with the plants that grow around me.
I spend my time at home in Rhode Island taking care of my lively and hilarious 7 year old son, Lennox, tending to my overgrown gardens, and enjoying life outdoors in the coastal countryside with friends and family.
In my offerings there are no expectations and no judgments. I hold space for you to strengthen your intuition, commune with the earth, and connect with Source Energy. Whatever that looks like and feels like for you.
The light and the shadow in me honors the light and the shadow in you.
“Nicole is a teacher, a nourisher, a sharer. She goes out of her way to make connections with each individual student. She creates an environment where she offers us everything & encourages us to take exactly what we need, to move freely and do only what we feel called to do, free of judgment. What I love about Nicole’s classes is that they’re more than just yoga. It’s more than improving strength and flexibility. It’s more than just unwinding at the end of the day. It is bigger than that. It is a deeper connection to ourselves and each other. It’s freedom & acceptance to be who we are in that moment both collectively & singularly.”