What herb feels like comfort to you?

Alright, gather round, you beautiful plant people. This is the very low-stress, zero-pretension survival kit for enjoying my herbal writings without losing your mind or your place on the couch. What You’ll Need for Saturday Herbal Lore (and beyond) 1. A journal. Nothing fancy. No pressure. It can be: A notebook from the dollar store An old spiral with three pages left A “this was supposed to be for groceries” notebook This is where you jot things down that make you go, “Ohhh, that’s useful,” or “Wait, I actually have that plant.” 2. A pen you like. This matters more than people admit. One that doesn’t skip One that doesn’t feel like punishment to hold One you won’t immediately lose under the couch If you’re loyal to a specific pen brand, congratulations, you’re already advanced. 3. Optional but encouraged: sticky notes or bookmarks. Because at some point you’ll want to mark: Herbs you want to try Things you forgot five minutes after reading Notes that say “LOOK THIS UP LATER” and then never do That’s normal. Everyone does it. 4. Your curiosity. You don’t need: A backyard apothecary A certification wall A perfectly curated herbal aesthetic You just need curiosity and a willingness to learn things the practical way. The “real life, what people actually do” way. How to Use This Space Read. Laugh a little. Write down what sticks. Ignore what doesn’t. Come back later when it suddenly makes sense. This isn’t homework. This isn’t perfection. This is herbalism for people with lives. So, Pull up a chair. Grab your pen. Let’s talk plants. — Herbalism with Lori

Alright, gather round the metaphorical kitchen counter. We’re talking herbal tinctures, aka “how humans figured out how to trap plant goodness in a jar and call it medicine.” Just plants, patience, and a little alcohol doing the heavy lifting. So… what is a herbal tincture anyway? A tincture is basically herbs soaking in alcohol long enough to give up their secrets. The alcohol acts like that one friend who gets everyone talking at a party. You end up with a strong, shelf-stable liquid extract that lasts years, not weeks like tea. This is why herbalists love tinctures and why your cabinet starts to look suspiciously like a bar. What you need (nothing dramatic) A clean glass jar with a lid Mason jars are fine. No crystal required. Herbs Fresh herbs (chopped) Or dried herbs (even easier, less water) Alcohol Vodka is the crowd favorite. Brandy works. Everclear if you’re feeling bold and respectful of math. A label Because “mystery brown liquid” is not helpful later. Time. Not much effort. Just time. How to make it (the no-nonsense version) Step 1: Fill the jar If using fresh herbs: loosely fill the jar about ¾ full. If using dried herbs: fill about ½ full. Do not pack it like you’re stuffing a suitcase. Step 2: Add alcohol Pour alcohol over the herbs until they are completely covered, plus about an inch on top. Herbs floating above the liquid = sad herbs. Step 3: Seal it and wait Put the lid on. Shake it gently like you’re reassuring it. Store in a dark cabinet. Shake it once a day if you remember. If you forget, the herbs will forgive you. Step 4: Wait some more Let it sit 4–6 weeks. Yes, weeks. This is herbalism, not instant coffee. Step 5: Strain Strain through cheesecloth, a coffee filter, or a fine strainer. Squeeze the herbs. They’ve given everything they had. Pour the liquid into a clean bottle. Step 6: Label it Write: Herb name Alcohol used Date Future-you will thank present-you. How people actually use tinctures A few drops in water or tea

So… How Are We Actually Going to Use These Herbs? Short answer: all the ways. Long answer: still all the ways, just with fewer exploded cauldrons and more common sense. Over time, im going to cover every normal, useful way people actually use herbs, including: Teas – the classic “boil water, add plant, feel accomplished” method Tinctures – alcohol does the heavy lifting while you wait patiently Infusions – like tea, but stronger and more serious about it Poultices – squishy plant mess, applied with purpose Oils & salves – because herbs like to live in fat sometimes Vinegars & honeys – food that quietly helps you Steam, baths, compresses – herbs that work while you sit there doing nothing We’ll talk about what works best for what, why some herbs prefer tea while others do better as tinctures, and when a plant is basically saying, “Please don’t boil me, I beg you.” No quizzes. No perfection required. No pressure to own a 200-year-old apothecary or pronounce everything in Latin. This is real herbalism for real people, and we’ll cover it all slowly, clearly, and repeatedly… because nobody remembers everything the first time and plants are patient. Saturday Herbal Lore is just the beginning. We’ve got years. The herbs aren’t going anywhere. ~Herbalism with Lori

Hi, I’m Lori, and I teach herbalism without yelling. This is a quiet space for learning about plants as they are. No miracle claims. No mystical backflips. Just herbs, context, and slow understanding. You don’t need experience. You don’t need special tools. You just need curiosity and a willingness to pay attention. If you want to introduce yourself, tell us: • a plant you already know • or one you’ve always wondered about Pull up a chair. The plants aren’t in a rush.