Herbalist’s Harvest Calendar: A Seasonal Guide to Gathering & Preparation

The art of herbal medicine begins with proper harvesting and preparation techniques. Whether you’re a beginner herbalist or seasoned forager, understanding the seasonal rhythms of medicinal plants is crucial for creating effective preparations. This comprehensive guide walks you through the essential steps of harvesting, processing, and storing example herbs throughout the year. From spring’s tender shoots to autumn’s robust roots, you’ll learn when and how to collect each herb at its peak potency, along with time-tested methods for creating tinctures, decoctions, and other herbal preparations. By following these sustainable practices, you’ll build a solid foundation for your herbal medicine journey.

~ Example Calendar ~

Key Takaways: Herbalist’s Harvest Calendar

Spring Harvesting (March-May)

Early Spring Herbs

Dandelion

• Harvest young leaves before flowering
• Dig roots during early growth
• Best harvested in morning after dew dries
• Look for plants away from treated areas
• Clean thoroughly to remove soil

Chickweed

• Harvest fresh aerial parts
• Gather before flowering
• Cut above soil level
• Choose lush, green patches
• Process immediately for best results

Nettle

• Harvest young shoots before flowering
• Wear thick gloves
• Cut top 4-6 inches
• Focus on new growth
• Dry immediately or process fresh

Preparation Methods

Fresh Tinctures

• Use 1:2 ratio for fresh herbs in 95% alcohol
• Chop finely before macerating
• Press after 4-6 weeks
• Store in dark bottles
• Label with date and herb ratio

Spring Tonics

• Combine equal parts fresh herbs
• Cover with apple cider vinegar
• Add honey to taste
• Let steep 2-4 weeks
• Strain and bottle

Summer Harvesting (June-August)

Peak Season Herbs

Blessed Thistle

• Harvest flowering tops
• Cut stems below first leaves
• Gather mid-morning
• Dry in bundles
• Store away from direct light

Yarrow

• Harvest flower heads when fully open
• Include upper stem portion
• Gather on dry days
• Bundle loosely for drying
• Store in airtight containers

Chamomile

• Pick flowers when fully open
• Harvest mid-morning
• Use flower heads only
• Dry on screens
• Store protected from light

Preparation Methods

Solar Infusions

• Layer fresh herbs in clear glass
• Cover with oil or vinegar
• Place in sunny location
• Strain after 2-4 weeks
• Store in dark bottles

Fresh Herb Preparations

• Process immediately after harvest
• Use clean, sharp tools
• Maintain cleanliness
• Label all preparations
• Store appropriately

Autumn Harvesting (September-November)

Root Harvesting

Dandelion Root

• Dig after first frost
• Choose older plants
• Clean thoroughly
• Slice roots lengthwise
• Dry immediately

And now we come to an example of why it is so important to know which herb you are harvesting [identification] and for which purpose [use].

While they're in the same genus, Angelica archangelica (European Angelica) and Angelica sinensis (Dong Quai/Chinese Angelica) have distinct constituent profiles and traditional uses, though there is some overlap. Let me break this down:

Angelica archangelica (European Angelica)
- Key Constituents: 
  - Essential oils (β-phellandrene, α-pinene, limonene)
  - Coumarins (angelicin, bergapten)
  - Angelicin and other furanocoumarins
  - Flavonoids
  - Organic acids

- Traditional Uses:
  - Digestive complaints
  - Respiratory support
  - Circulatory stimulant
  - Carminative
  - Cold/flu support

Angelica sinensis (Dong Quai)
- Key Constituents:
  - Ligustilide (main bioactive compound)
  - Ferulic acid
  - Z-ligustilide
  - Polysaccharides
  - Different essential oil profile from A. archangelica

- Traditional Uses:
  - Women's reproductive health
  - Blood building (traditional Chinese medicine context)
  - Menstrual regulation
  - Blood circulation
  - Hormone balance

While both can have warming and circulatory effects, A. sinensis is much more specifically used in traditional Chinese medicine for women's health and blood-related conditions, while A. archangelica is more commonly used in European traditions for digestive, respiratory, and general circulatory support. 

They should not be considered interchangeable in clinical practice due to their different constituent profiles and traditional applications.

Angelica Root (Dong Quai)

• Harvest second-year roots
• Dig carefully to preserve
• Wash thoroughly
• Cut into small pieces
• Dry at low temperature

European Angelica (Angelica archangelica)

Oregon Grape Root

• Harvest sustainably
• Leave some roots intact
• Clean carefully
• Cut into small sections
• Dry thoroughly

Preparation Methods

Root Decoctions

• Use dried root pieces
• Simmer covered 20-30 minutes
• Strain carefully
• Store refrigerated
• Use within 48 hours

Double Extraction Process

• Alcohol extraction first
• Follow with water decoction
• Combine both extracts
• Filter carefully
• Store in dark glass

Winter Storage and Processing

Storage Methods

Dried Herbs

• Store in airtight containers
• Keep in dark location
• Check regularly for moisture
• Label with date and location
• Use within one year

Tinctures

• Store in amber bottles
• Keep in cool, dark place
• Label with ratios used
• Note date of completion
• Check periodically

Winter Processing

Dried Root Preparation

• Grind as needed
• Store whole pieces
• Keep moisture-free
• Check quarterly
• Rebottle annually

Tincture Making

• Use dried herbs
• Maintain warm temperature
• Shake regularly
• Strain carefully
• Store properly

Sustainable Harvesting Practices

General Guidelines

• Never harvest endangered species
• Leave plenty for regeneration
• Harvest away from polluted areas
• Respect private property
• Learn plant identification thoroughly

Location Considerations

• Note microclimate effects
• Consider soil conditions
• Observe growing patterns
• Document good locations
• Rotate harvest areas

Quality Control

Fresh Herbs

• Check for insects
• Remove damaged parts
• Process promptly
• Clean thoroughly
• Dry properly

Dried Materials

• Check moisture content
• Monitor storage conditions
• Rotate stock
• Check quality regularly
• Discard compromised material

~ Herbal Preparation Troubleshooting HowTos ~

Record Keeping

  ~ Herbal Preparation Labeling HowTos ~

Which details to include on your label depends on what you are making, but some important items include:

Common name (essential for identification purposes)
Latin name (optional, but often recommended because different plants can share common names, whereas the Latin name is always a distinct identifier)
Plant part used (essential for safety considerations)
Fresh/Dried (optional, but recommended to help you formulate the same recipe again)
The ratio of herb to liquid menstruum—ie:1:2 or 1:5 (essential for dosage considerations and formulating the same blend in the future)
Alcohol % (essential when using alcohol as the menstruum)
Habitat/Source (optional, but if you are wildharvesting, a note like “Coniferous woods, 2,000 feet elevation” can be useful)
Date formulation made (essential to keep track of shelf life and next steps like straining)
Dosage (optional, but recommended for ease of use and accuracy)
Ingredient list (optional, but recommended as a safety precaution and also nice to have when trying to replicate the recipe at a later date)
External use (essential if ingredients should not be ingested)
Contraindications (essential if formulation should not be used by people with particular medical issues, who are taking medications, or who are pregnant or nursing, etc.)

If you don’t have room on the label for all of the details you want to include, you can also keep a journal to keep track of your herbal crafting. 

Note the information above in the journal and assign a number or letter next to each entry. Then you can put the numbers/letters on the label and refer back to your journal as needed.

Source: Tips for Labeling Your Herbal Formulations + FREE Label Template 

Harvest Records

• Date and location
• Weather conditions
• Plant condition
• Processing method
• Storage details

Processing Notes

• Methods used
• Ratios employed
• Processing time
• Storage conditions
• Quality observations

Remember that proper identification and sustainable harvesting practices are essential. While these guidelines provide a framework, it’s important to learn from experienced herbalists and always verify plant identification before harvesting.