Getting Started
Building an herb pant
ry is one of the most powerful actions you can take to reduce dependence on the standardized medical system, increase self sufficiency and improve your families overall wellbeing. For many it's another step towards empowering themselves to be as healthy and holistic as possible. But it’s important not to let the value of having an herb pantry convince you that it must be complicated or expensive. A very effective herb pantry can consist of a handful of key herbs and spices along with some common kitchen tools when you know how to use them. Let’s take a closer look at the process I take students and clients through when they decide it’s time to start an herb pantry. I’ve also included a free download to help get you started, so be sure not to miss it.
An Important First Step: Access Your Needs
Your herb pantry should be made with you and your household's unique needs in mind. Take your time contemplating on this and you will design an herb pantry that has what you need and avoid wasting money on herbs that are not a good fit. All of these things will create a blueprint for your customized herb pantry.
Some questions to ask yourself include:
Age and stage of life of everyone in the household? - If you have a house full of kids, focusing on more palatable herbs could be a good idea. Ex: lemon balm, mint, cinnamon
Does anyone take medications or have a pre-existing condition?- Some herbs are contraindicated for certain conditions & medications.
What conditions or concerns can I anticipate occurring?- I can anticipate the fall cold and flu season will hit hard and try to be prepared with immune tonics & antiviral herbs. Ex: astragalus root & lemon balm.
How much room do I have? - For small spaces I focus on stocking herbs that pull double or triple duty and help with several of my most common concerns over herbs that are specialists. Ex: chamomile easies tummy troubles, cramping & pain, calms nerves & aids sleep.
Allergies and sensitivities
Preferred forms of herbals- If someone in your home is avoid alcohol you may not want to include alcohol in your pantry. Ex: alcohol tinctures
Will it be used for pets & farm animals?- Some herbs are not safe for certain species of animals and may not make the cut in my pantry. Others are rockstars: Ex: garlic & echinacea.
Inventory & Track Your Herb Pantry
In the beginning you are going to want to skip this step. You will reason that you don’t have enough to matter or put it off for another day when things slow down or you really need to do it. Don’t fall for it! I am as guilty as anyone here and what happens when you don't develop a habit of inventorying your herb pantry before, during and after each herb order. An effective herb pantry inventory will include the herbs, spices, and herbal medicine making supplies you have on hand along with those you will need. You can use the questions from the assessment in the previous section to help you. How you make your herb pantry inventory is up to you, but some popular options range from digital spreadsheets to simple notebook books. I like to print and laminate mine. I store it on the pantry shelf so I can make adjustments and reuse it year after year.
Free Herb Pantry Inventory Download
To help get you started with your inventory & make the herb pantry building process easier I made an Herb Pantry Inventory Download. Just print it out and go!
Order Your Herbs & Supplies
Now that you have accessed your needs and taken inventory you are ready to order your herbs. This part can be one of the most exciting and confusing portions of the herb pantry building process. Here are a few tips to help guide you in making your first herb order.
The Best Possible Quality- Using reputable suppliers will yield the most potent remedies for the best results. Look for brightly colored, highly aromatic herbs that have been properly dried and preserved.
Source from Practicing Herbalist: As a practicing herbalist I go to the greatest lengths to stock the highest quality herbs and herbal remedies. This is because my success and my clients' success depends on it. I buy in bulk for my clinical apothecary and sell to clients, students, and community. For a quick start to stocking your herb pantry & apothecary check out the Firefly Farmstead & Apothecary Shop where you can get the single herbs, teas, & topical remedies that I always keep in stock in my herb pantry.
Buy Local, Buy Small: Sourcing your herbs from small, local vendors will help keep your supply chain close.
Order Small Batches & Plan Well: This keeps you from wasting herbs and money on something you may not use and that will parish.
Mix it Up: Your herb pantry should be more than just jars of dried herbs. While these are great, it’s also the least shelf stable option. Try ordering tinctures, oils, extracts, vinegars, salves and more to extend shelf life and save on prep time.
Next Steps
Congratulations! You are well on your way to having a fully stock herb pantry. At this point you have accessed your needs, developed an inventory and tracking system, identified quality suppliers and made your first order. Now all you have to do is decide how to store your herbs and create a physical space to house it all. Follow along as I go over this and more in the next article. And don’t forget to grab your Herb Pantry Inventory Download Here
If you love the idea of learning more about using herbs in your home and on your homestead join the Homestead Herb School Membership waitlist
Shop the Firefly Farmstead & Apothecary farm store for herbs, teas, salves & other remedies here.
Check out our favorite items for healing in the Professional Quality Supplements link.
Shop the carefully curated list of Amazon items we use most in the herb pantry and apothecary. (Not Medical Advice. See Disclaimer & Affiliate commission statement).
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