MEDICINAL PLANTS: Heal with Plants and Herbs and Specific Techniques for Improving your Health with Natural Medicine by Laurel Melissa

Author:Laurel, Melissa [Laurel, Melissa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: UNKNOWN
Published: 2020-03-25T16:00:00+00:00

Harvesting Herbs

What kind of plant are you wishing to harvest? Depending on the plant you’re targeting, it has various parts of value that you will want to take and use at home. Each part is harvested differently, and thus must be approached differently.

Maybe it’s the stems, or just the leaves of a plant, with reported healing abilities that you want to use. You could be after the buds or flowers—or perhaps you’re wanting to employ a plant’s root for a specific issue.

Harvesting Herbs (From Top to Bottom):

Flowers and Buds – In most cases, you can delicately remove flowers, buds, and petals with your fingers. Pinch the “neck” or stem of the flower, where it attaches to its branch, between the thumb and forefinger; gently remove and place in a breathable container, such as a basket, before storage. The best time to harvest is in spring—but certain plants can vary.

If flower or bud stems are too tough, try using a clean pair of scissors or garden snippers.

Berries or Fruits – Like with flowers, fruits can be removed gently with your fingers. Using a canvas bag or metal container (like a bowl) for holding works well, and take special care if fruits “stain” easily (such as Elderberries). Best time to harvest: late summer or fall, though it varies with plant.

Similar to flowers and buds, use clean scissors/garden snippers of removal of fruits/berries is too difficult.

Stems or Leaves (“Aerial Parts”) – On tender-stemmed plants (such as mint or chamomile, e.g.) stems and leaves can be gently removed with a pinch and snap of the fingers. For tougher plants, use a knife, scissors, or snippers—bundle and tie together in bunches to prepare for hanging and drying, with a rubber band or hair-tie. Best to harvest in spring or summer.

With hands or tools, you may also “clear” an entire plant in the case of annual (short-lived) plants, or those you don’t want to tend to year after year. Simply cut it at the stem clear to the root, right above where it enters into the ground—but in most cases, don’t expect the plant to grow back!

Twigs and Bark – Some herbs have healing effects found in the “inner” bark, such as on shrubs or trees. Using a specialized knife or clippers, the outermost twigs can be harvested on a living plant, which should hold the same healing properties as the bark. Best to harvest in spring, when the sap flows.

Be careful harvesting actual bark or certain amounts of twigs from living plants, if you don’t want to see them become diseased or die (especially endangered/threatened plants). It is considered more ecological to take bark from trees or shrubs that have just fallen and are expected to be deceased.

Roots – With a spade, shovel or gloves, remove the root from the ground of the desired herb you wish to use. For some plants, you can also dig down and only remove part of the root to keep the plant alive (such as with Echinacea and other endangered plants).

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