Herbal Kitchen: Supplies You Need to Make Your Own Medicine


 

One of the best things about herbal medicine is that you can make anything you want at home, with regular kitchen supplies! It might take some shopping for a couple of supplies and of course the herbs, but start by making something easy, like a tincture, and you don’t need anything but a glass jar, the herbs, alcohol, and a strainer!

Here is a list of what you need for a full herbal medicine kitchen!

Kitchen Supplies

  • Large, medium and small pots with a tight fitting lid (stainless steel or glass). Avoid iron, aluminum, and copper pots because chemical changes may occur.
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife
  • Blender, food processer, hand blender
  • Spice/herb grinder, coffee grinder
  • Mortar and Pestle
  • Crockpot that goes as low as 100 degrees
  • Large stand up cheese grater for grating beeswax and cocoa butter
  • Bowls (large/med/small)
  • Stirring spoons
  • Small metal spoons
  • Flexible rubber spatulas
  • Hot pad
  • Gloves
  • Towels
  • Brush for cleaning out powdered herb- pastry brush works well
  • Wax Paper
  • Veggie steamer with center post removed

 

 

Measuring Supplies

  • Glass 2 and 4-cup liquid measuring cups
  • Assorted dry weight measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Scale for weighing herbs
  • Calculator

 

Straining Supplies

  • Strainer (large/small with fine mesh)
  • Unbleached cheesecloth
  • Filter paper
  • Sharp scissors
  • Bowls (large/med./small)
  • Press: potato, beer, or cheese

 

Recipe Recording, Bottling and Storing Supplies

  • Notebook
  • Pen
  • Mason Jars
  • 1, 2, 4 and 8 oz bottles
  • 1, 2, 4 and 8 oz jars with wide lids
  • Tincture Bottles
  • Spray tops and droppers
  • Labels

What herbs would be good to have in your kitchen? There are so many, it’s best to buy small quantities so that you use fresh herbs that have not lost any of their potency by sitting on your shelf for years. For just starting out your own herbal kitchen, I recommend finding a couple of recipes you want to make first, and buying just those herbs. In time, you will expand your collection of herbs to have on hand, as you get more familiar with herbs and how to use them to support your health.

Here is a list of some herbs, see which ones inspire you!

Culinary:

  • Basil
  • Thyme
  • Oregano
  • Rosemary
  • Garlic (powder, granules, minced, salt)
  • Turmeric
  • Cayenne
  • Cinnamon
  • Cumin
  • Chili Powder
  • Celery Salt
  • Savory
  • Dill
  • Onion Powder and Salt
  • Mint
  • Bay Leaf
  • Caraway
  • Cardamon
  • Marjoram
  • Parsley
  • Pepper

Medicinal:

  • Alfalfa
  • Nettle
  • Dandelion
  • Peppermint
  • Spearmint
  • Red Raspberry Leaf
  • Chamomile
  • Ginger
  • Elderberries
  • Bilberry
  • Black Walnut
  • Calendula
  • Catnip
  • Coltsfoot
  • Echinacea
  • Fennel
  • Fenugreek
  • Ginko
  • Ginseng
  • Goldenseal
  • Hops
  • Horsetail
  • Lavender
  • Lemon Balm
  • Licorice
  • Oatstraw
  • Red Clover
  • Spurlina
  • Stevia Leaf
  • Kelp

Adapted from Crystal Hamby’s Guide to an Herbal Kitchen

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