How to Start Your Herbal Practice in 2025

There’s no better time than now to step into the world of herbalism. Whether you’re dreaming of starting a full-fledged apothecary, becoming a community herbalist, or simply deepening your personal relationship with plants, 2025 holds infinite potential for your journey. But let’s be real—getting started can feel a little overwhelming. So, here’s your guide to stepping into your herbal practice with intention, clarity, and excitement.

1. Start with Your Why

Before diving into the details, ask yourself: Why am I drawn to herbalism? Are you looking to care for your family naturally? Share the magic of plants with your community? Build a business? There’s no wrong answer, but knowing your “why” will help guide your path and keep you grounded when things feel complicated.

2. Build Your Foundation with Education

Herbalism is as much about learning as it is about connecting. Here’s where to begin:

• Books: Start with foundational reads like The Herbal Medicine-Maker’s Handbook by James Green or Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer.

• Courses: Explore online and in-person herbal schools. Look for programs that align with your goals, whether that’s clinical training, folk herbalism, or plant identification (I HIGHLY recommend the South West Institute of Healing Arts, in you’re in/around AZ).

• Hands-On Practice: Grow a few herbs, dry your own teas, or start experimenting with tinctures. Working directly with plants is where the magic happens.

3. Create Your Herbal Space

You don’t need a fancy setup to start practicing herbalism, but creating a sacred space dedicated to your craft can make all the difference. This could be a corner of your kitchen for making remedies, a shelf for your dried herbs, or a garden where you grow your first medicinal plants.

4. Start Small

It’s easy to feel like you need to know everything to begin—but you don’t. Choose a few herbs that resonate with you and focus on those. Study their uses, experiment with how they work in your body, and journal your experiences. For example:

• Chamomile for calm and sleep.

• Peppermint for digestion and focus.

• Calendula for skin healing and energetic balance.

5. Connect with Community

Herbalism thrives in community. Find local herbal groups, attend plant walks, or join online spaces where herbalists and plant lovers gather. Learning from others and sharing your journey will deepen your practice and inspire you in ways you can’t imagine.

6. Honor Sustainability

As herbalists, we have a responsibility to care for the earth. Source your herbs ethically—grow your own when possible, support small farms, and avoid overharvested plants like wild ginseng or sandalwood. Working with plants isn’t just about taking; it’s about cultivating a reciprocal relationship with nature.

7. Incorporate Ritual and Reflection

Herbalism isn’t just about physical remedies—it’s about connecting deeply with yourself and the world around you. Start a journal to reflect on your experiences with herbs, set intentions before crafting remedies, or create simple rituals to honor the plants you’re working with.

8. Stay Curious and Keep Learning

Herbalism is a lifelong journey. Embrace the fact that you’ll never know everything—and that’s the beauty of it. Follow your curiosity, experiment with new herbs, and allow your practice to evolve over time.

9. Take the Leap

Whether you’re making teas for yourself or preparing to launch a business, the key is simply to start. Don’t wait for the perfect time, setup, or knowledge—you’ll learn and grow as you go. Every great herbalist began somewhere.

Your 2025 Practice

This year is about planting seeds—literally and figuratively. Herbalism is as much about the journey as the destination, so take your time, honor your path, and trust in your connection to the plants. You don’t need to have it all figured out. Just start.