The Top Ten Medicinal Herbs for the Garden: How to Grow & Use ...
The Top Ten Medicinal Herbs for the Garden: How to Grow & Use Healing Plants · 1. Calendula, Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis, Asteraceae) · 2.
Blog Castanea article
Echinacea and meadowsweet both benefit from a period of cold/moist stratification before planting. You can learn more about this special germination strategy in this <anchor>Blog Castanea article</anchor>, “Guidelines to Growing Medicinal Herbs from Seed.”
Growing Medicinal Herbs from Seed | Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine
Growing Medicinal Herbs from Seed \| Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine

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[Last updated on November 14th, 2023](https://chestnutherbs.com/guideline-to-growing-medicinal-herbs-from-seeds/)

# Guidelines to Growing Medicinal Herbs from Seed

## Written and Photographed by Juliet Blankespoor

![Growing Medicinal Herbs from Seed](https://chestnutschool.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Growing-Medicinal-Herbs-from-Seed.jpg)

–

No matter how many years I plant seeds and watch them grow into mature plants, I am still awed. I feel an utter child-like excitement when I see the first green signs of a sprouting seed poking up through the soil. Germinating seeds are a universal symbol of hope and renewal, ushering in the joy and promise of spring. In a world growing more complicated and technological by the day, it is a comforting pleasure to witness the simple, yet miraculous, processes of plant life.

As an herbalist, I strive to cultivate direct relationships with the living medicinal plants I use in my practice—either by growing them in my garden or wildcrafting them in a sustainable fashion. I came into this craft through my fascination with plants, along with their myriad offerings; growing medicinal herbs is one of the greatest joys in my life.

I have been growing plants for the last two decades and, like every gardener, I have learned as much from my mistakes as my successes. Growing up in the suburbs, I spent little time gardening; I didn’t catch the plant bug until I left home. My first vegetable garden was pretty much a flop, as I really had no clue what I was doing. But in my mind, I was now a gardener, and ready to try again the next spring. And luckily, many of my friends had green thumbs, or grew up on farms; they took me under their wings and taught me skills that are now instinctive.

–![Blue Cohosh seedlings (germinating three years after being planted)](https://chestnutschool.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/IMG_3463.jpg)

_Blue cohosh seedlings (germinating three years after being planted)_–

When I started growing herbs, I soon realized that I had to pay attention to details and learn a whole new set of germination skills. Most of the annual vegetables we grow have evolved with the agricultural practices of humans, and thus have been selected over the millennia to have uniform, quick, and relatively easy germination.

Not so with most of our medicinal herbs, especially considering that many of them are perennials, which typically have a more selective strategy for germination (with less of the live-fast, die-young lifestyle of annual plants). For many years I nurtured an herbal nursery, and learned even more tricks from other growers, as well as from watching and listening to the plants themselves.

### **A Special Note on Intention**

Some years back I experienced an almost total failure in germination for most of the seventy species we planted. We re-examined all the variables: same soil mix we’d been using for a decade, same fertilizer, greenhouse, etc. Now there’s always a chance that we missed an important ingredient, such as lime, which would adversely affect soil pH, or our composted manure was too hot, or something to that effect. But, in reviewing our seeding scenario, I came to the conclusion that we sorely needed some ritual and prayer during planting time.

By the time we are planting seeds, we have spent many moons in anticipation of that special moment, from the gathering of seeds to their stratification, the careful planning of the seeding schedule, and the formulating of soil. In addition to all of the material preparation, we are awaiting and co-creating the rebirth of the green world and conjuring up a miracle in spite of frigid temperatures and gray skies. Now we mark our initial seeding with prayers, spoken intention, songs, and _[burning aromatic herbs](https://chestnutherbs.com/homegrown-and-wild-harvested-aromatic-smoke-sticks/)_. Since the inception of this little ritual, we have had very successful germination but, more importantly, our sense of place, community, and season has deepened.

If you’re excited to plant an herb garden, this article is your one-stop guide to medicinal seed culture! I’ll lay out the most common systems for seed starting and the basics of caring for seedlings—including typically encountered problems—plus the special germination techniques necessary for many medicinal plants. My hope is that you’ll have all the information you need to be able to grow more plants to love, eat, and make medicine from.

–

**![](https://chestnutschool.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/hoop-house.jpg)–**

## **Starting Herbs from Seed:**   **Direct Seeding Versus Planting in Trays**

Planting seeds directly in the garden has some obvious advantages, notably the absence of resources and energy necessary in seed tray culture. It is the easiest choice, and for those plants who do not tolerate transplanting, it is the only choice. The downside to direct seeding is the higher attrition rates with tender seedlings left to fend for themselves in the face of frost, plant-on-plant competition, herbivory, drought, and disease. However, the plants who do survive and reproduce will have offspring selected for their parents’ tenacity and vitality.

Some herbs that generally have good survival rates with direct seeding are:

- Calendula ( _Calendula officinalis_)
- Basil ( _Ocimum basilicum_)
- Holy basil ( _Ocimum tenuiflorum_)
- Feverfew ( _Tanacetum parthenium_)
- German chamomile ( _Matricaria recutita_)
- Borage ( _Borago officinalis_)\*
- Garden sage ( _Salvia officinalis_)
- Skullcap ( _Scutellaria lateriflora_)
- Echinacea ( _Echinacea purpurea_, _E. angustifolia_)
- Anise hyssop ( _Agastache foeniculum_)

\* **August 2021 Safety Update:** Borage contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), which can be harmful to the liver over time when ingested internally. We recommend avoiding the use of borage in pregnancy and nursing. Additionally, children under twelve years of age and those with known liver disease should avoid the internal use. Others who wish to ingest borage internally (after researching the potential of PA toxicity on the liver) should use in moderation or limit the internal use to no more than one week, and preferably ingest the herb in a formula with other herbs (to limit the dosage).

Many herbs also need a period of moist cold before they will germinate in the garden—in the same fashion that many wild plants only germinate in the warm soils of spring after a cold, dormant period throughout the winter. These herbs may need to be planted in very early spring or in the fall to ensure a proper period of cold. You’ll want to briefly research each herb before planting—often, adequate planting instructions will come right on the seed packet.

–

![](https://chestnutschool.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/IMG_4283.jpg)

_California poppy seedlings interspersed with cooking greens_

–

For woodland perennial herbs with a two- to three-year germination period, planting directly in a prepared forest seedbed may be easier than keeping track of a seed tray for such a prolonged period.

In addition, the following plants are typically seeded directly because of their dislike of transplanting, or because of the larger plantings inherent for cover crops:

- Milky oats ( _Avena sativa_)
- California poppy ( _Eschscholzia californica_)
- Opium poppy ( _Papaver somniferum_)
- Cilantro ( _Coriandrum sativum_)
- Parsley ( _Petroselinum crispum_)
- Khella ( _Ammi visnaga_)
- Red clover ( _Trifolium pratense_)
- Alfalfa ( _Medicago sativa_)
- Fenugreek ( _Trigonella foenum-graecum_)

I am somewhat of a control freak, so I rarely seed directly (except for the aforementioned herbs) and prefer to watch over my babes more closely in a greenhouse.

–

### **Seed Trays**

One alternative to direct seeding is to use seed trays. Plastic seed trays are easy to acquire, come in a variety of sizes, and are often cheap or free. My nursery got its start with discarded mismatched seed trays, and I reused these for years.

If you are placing trays in a window, small greenhouse, or under grow lights, it may be advantageous to use seed trays with especially small cells. This gives you the ability to seed more plants in a relatively small area. Likewise, many medicinal herbs have longer periods of germination, so less precious space is wasted while we wait for their emergence. The only pitfall is that you’ll need to step up (transplant to a larger pot, or cell) your plants earlier—often when their first true leaves appear.

–

![Seeding in a greenhouse attached to the south side of a house](https://chestnutschool.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/IMG_2177.jpg)

_Seeding in a greenhouse attached to the south side of a house_

–

A note about sterilizing seed trays: Many nursery growers will sterilize seed trays from season to season to minimize the spread of plant diseases. However, I choose not to sterilize my seed trays for a number of reasons. One, it is a pain in the derrière, and two, my soil is alive with mycorrhizal fungal spores and beneficial soil bacteria from compost and worm castings. Plants with a healthy diet and environment, including beneficial flora, have more vitality to fend off potential pathogens. I focus more on helping to create a healthy terrain than combating disease. Preventative medicine is for plants too! If you do wish to sterilize, try using a hydrogen peroxide solution instead of bleach. Brewing supply centers sell many affordable eco-friendly sterilizing products.

I do have concerns about the environmental impact of chemicals used in manufacturing plastic, and the potential for endocrine-disrupting substances to leach from plastic containers and enter the soil and the plants contained within. Recently, biodegradable pots made from peat and/or manure have entered the market, and while more expensive, they may be better choices environmentally. Unfortunately, many are not manufactured domestically, so check their origin. Which brings us to another choice—no container at all; the _soil block_.

–

![Germinating blue vervain seedlings. Because of the smaller size of the cells in the tray, the seedlings will need to be pricked out and transplanted as soon as they develop true leaves.](https://chestnutschool.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/IMG_3054.jpg)

_Germinating blue vervain seedlings. Because of the smaller size of the cells in the tray, the seedlings will need to be pricked out and transplanted as soon as they develop true leaves._

### **–**

[![](https://chestnutschool.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Soil-block.jpg)](http://www.johnnyseeds.com/p-8087-hand-held-4-soil-blocker.aspx)

_Soil Block maker- photo from Johnny’s catalog_

–

### **Soil blocks**

These are blocks of soil prepared using soil block makers, which are specialized metal forms with handles. The forms are used to create a tidy row of soil cells, which are deposited on a wooden or plastic tray. Soil blocks were popularized by garden writer Eliot Coleman and are preferred by many organic farmers. The individual blocks are open to the air, so the roots growing in them are air pruned and cannot become root-bound, and consequently take off more quickly after being transplanted.

The forms come in a variety of sizes and can be stepped-up with the growing seedling. Once you get the hang of preparing the soil, reaching the proper moisture balance, and using the soil makers, the block-making process can go quite quickly and efficiently. Soil block makers require a larger initial investment, but can last for many years if cared for properly. Another distinct advantage is the absence of plastic when using wooden trays and soil blocks.

–

![](https://chestnutschool.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/IMG_8768.jpg)

## **Germination Setups**

How you choose to germinate seeds depends on a few factors, including how many seedlings you’ll be growing and how much time and money you want to invest in your setup. The easiest place to germinate seeds is a south-facing window, which will provide both light and warmth. However, there are more specialized setups as well, which offer various benefits.

### **Sunny Windows**

This is the simplest seed-starting setup, requiring little to no initial investment. There is a catch, though: you might be surprised that seedlings need even more light than a window provides. If you live in a warm climate with sunny spring days, you can put your seedlings outside on warm days in a sheltered spot that receives direct sunlight (bring them back inside for the night). If you live in an area with cloudy or cold spring days, you’ll need to add some grow lights to augment the direct light from the window.

Start your trays on a table or shelf in front of a south-facing window, preferably using a heat mat underneath the seed tray. If your seedlings grow spindly or lean toward the window, they need direct sunshine or grow lights.

[![Seedling heat mat](https://chestnutschool.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Heat-mat-1.jpg)](https://www.johnnyseeds.com/tools-supplies/seed-starting-supplies/seedling-heat-mats/hydrofarm-seedling-heat-mat-20%22-x-20%22-45-watts-9581.0.html)

_Heat mat from Johnny’s Seeds_

–

### **Bottom Heat**

Warming the soil, by applying heat under seed trays, greatly improves the speed of germination—an important factor for medicinal herb seeds, which often have lengthy germination periods. A good bottom heat system is a game changer!

There are a number of methods people use to achieve bottom heat. The most popular and easy is the electrical mat, which slides under a seed tray and comes in varying sizes. Some growers use special electrical lines that are run through a bed of sand, with the trays nestled into the warm sand. Another option is running hot water in pipes just under the surface of the soil in a greenhouse, with the heat provided by solar hot water heaters and an on-demand propane heater as a back-up heat source. Yet another intriguing system is to build a hot compost pile in the greenhouse and place the trays upon the exothermic bacterial party.

It is helpful to have a soil thermometer—an inexpensive tool available from nursery and garden supply companies—to closely monitor the soil temperature. An ideal soil temperature for most seeds is 60 to 80 degrees F (15.5 to 29 degrees C); I typically try to keep the soil between 65 and 75 degrees F (18 to 24 degrees C). It is important to not let the nighttime soil temperatures dip too low as most seeds will bide their time until the soil warms more evenly. In addition, take care to not overheat the soil, as tender seedlings can easily desiccate or be damaged by excessive heat.

–

![](https://chestnutschool.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/IMG_6910.jpg)

_Greenhouse fairies have proven to enhance germination rates by over 66%_

–

### **Greenhouses**

How I love the quiet, timeless magic of a hot greenhouse on a cold day in early spring. Greenhouses can be built from glass, or thick UV resistant plastic (our 10 mil greenhouse plastic has lasted seven years). Features you’ll want to consider: fans, side openings, doors, and the heating system. Airflow in a greenhouse is paramount, both for lowering temperatures on sunny days and minimizing fungal diseases.

If you’re interested in building your own hoop house with little investment, consider using retired PVC pipes, which are often available for free or cheap from well drillers, who cannot reuse them. The pipes can act as the ribs of a hoop house that are supported by posts made from rebar (reinforcing metal bar) pounded into the soil. Alternately, you can dig a hole with a steel bar and place the PVC pipe directly in the soil. If you go the rebar route, 1-inch (2.54-cm) schedule 40 pipe, in 20-foot (6.1-m) lengths will make an approximately 9- to 10-foot-wide (2.74- to 3-m-wide) greenhouse with a 6-foot (1.8-m) height.

If you live in an area with snowfall, remember to create ample slope in your hoop houses so the heavy snow doesn’t pile too thickly and break the greenhouse. In our area, one intense winter storm brought down dozens of greenhouses. I have spent a good bit of time brushing heavy snow off our plastic greenhouses—snow can pile up, even with their generous slope.

Consider building a small greenhouse off the south side of your home if it receives ample sunlight. The thermal mass of the house will store heat from the sun during the day and radiate it off at night when it is needed.

![](https://chestnutschool.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/IMG_5939.jpg)

_Greenhouse built onto the south side of our home/nursery/school_

–

### **Grow Lights**

This germination set-up requires a start-up investment and obviously uses more energy than other methods. Full-spectrum fluorescent lights, such as the T-5 high-output bulbs, closely approximate sunlight and use less energy than standard bulbs. Make sure your lighting source isn’t too far from your seedlings or they’ll grow spindly.

–

## ![](https://chestnutschool.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/018.jpg)

–

## **Cultivating Medicinal Herbs:** **Soil, Water, and Nutrients**

Growing healthy medicinal seedlings requires a simple but wholesome recipe that blends fine soil with life-giving water and essential nutrients. Don’t underestimate any of these ingredients—imagine baking a cake and leaving out the eggs or butter!

### **Soil**

I recommend using a very fine soil mix, one with a smaller particle size than your standard vegetable starting mix. This is because it’s easy for some of the tiny herb seeds to fall into larger cracks in coarse soil and never make it up to the surface. If you’re starting fewer than ten seed trays, it makes more sense to simply purchase an organic, fine seed-starting mix. However, if you’re starting a sizable number of seeds, it can be fun and cost-effective to prepare your own soil blend.

Following is my soil mix recipe for germinating herbs. It can be used for vegetable germination as well, but I formulated it specifically for smaller herb seeds. The fertilizer is enough to get the plants started but additional fertilizer, in the form of foliar feeding, will be needed when the seedlings grow their first true leaves. Sifting the peat and using smaller perlite are important steps in keeping the texture of this mixture fine enough for tiny seeds.

### **Fine Germination Soil Mix for Herbs**

_**\*5 gallon bucket = 1 part**_

**Ingredients:**

- 2 parts sifted peat
- 1 cup lime
- ¼ cup bloodmeal
- ½ cup greensand
- ½ cup bonemeal
- 1 ¾ part fine perlite
- ¼ part fine vermiculite
- 1 part bagged compost (sifted, to avoid weed seeds)
- 2 cups (473 ml) worm castings
- Mycorrhizal inoculant (modify proportions according to the directions on the specific brand of mycorrhizae you are using)
- 3 quarts (2.8 L) fine sand
- Actinovate (optional, follow the directions on the label)

**Yields approximately 25 gallons**

Mix the ingredients on a tarp, in a large trough, or in a wooden soil-mixing box. I recommend wearing safety goggles and a mask to protect the eyes and respiratory passages from the dust and irritating particles. Sift the peat through a screen to remove large pieces and break up clumps. Place a screen with ½ inch (1.27-cm) holes over a wheelbarrow and mix the peat through. Add the lime, bloodmeal, greensand, and bonemeal and mix thoroughly. Add the other ingredients and mix with zeal and zest. Wet the soil thoroughly and add the actinovate (employ proportions as described on the label).

This soil can then be used to fill seed trays or soil blocks (I recommend pre-moistening the soil prior to filling and seeding).

–

### **Seeding and Labeling**

There are about as many tricks to planting seeds as there are growers. Seed supply companies sell several types of seeder tools. Personally, I’ve never found any that I absolutely loved, but feel free to experiment. Some people like to make a little crease in the paper of a seed packet and tap the seed packet to slowly release its contents. Try mixing wee seeds with a teaspoon of fine sand to avoid seedling clumps.

Most importantly, research which seeds need to be scarified or surface-sown before seeding and label seed packets accordingly (we’ll discuss these seed treatments in short order).

Use a pencil to make your seed holes and plant one to two seeds per hole. A general rule for seed depth: plant the seed one to two times as deep as the seed is wide.

Label your seedlings with wooden or plastic tags using either a pencil or ultra-permanent markers (regular permanent markers aren’t so permanent when exposed to light and water over time).

–

![](https://chestnutschool.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/IMG_1152.jpg)

–

### **Watering**

Once your seeds have been planted, proper watering becomes essential. Medicinal herb seeds require more attention than vegetable seeds as many are teeny-tiny, or planted on top of the soil, and can easily be dislodged by regular watering.

I water emerging seedlings with a metal mister, designed for a propagation greenhouse misting system, which we attach to the end of a hose (after first adding a filter so the fine orifices of the mister don’t clog with particulate matter). Alternately, you can use a watering wand nozzle attachment turned to the mist or fine spray setting. Just make sure the spray is gentle enough for wee seedlings.

Be prepared to spend a good bit of time watering, as thoroughly wetting the soil with a fine mister is a slow going process. Another possibility is placing a non-draining tray under the seedlings and letting the water be sucked up into the soil through capillary action.

Once the seedlings develop true leaves they are probably ready for the hard knock school of regular watering, which provides the tough love needed to prepare innocent sprouts for the real world of wind and rain.

Make sure you are letting the soil dry out in between watering, not enough to cause wilting, but enough to let the soil get almost dry. Watering is a fine dance; it requires responsiveness to your dance partners—the plants—along with the musicians: light, airflow, and temperature. Flow with the changing ambient conditions, your intuition, and a close observation of the plants themselves.

### **Fertilization**

I recommend using a small amount of organic fertilizer in your germination mix and periodic foliar feeding as the seedlings emerge. Foliar feeding applies nutrients onto leaves where they are absorbed directly. In my experience, foliar feeding greens-up plants quickly and is well worth the time and energy.

We use a diluted mix of fish emulsion and seaweed run through a sprayer, applied after regular watering on the morning of a cloudy day. Too strong a preparation can easily burn plants on a sunny day and some plants are more sensitive to the nitrogen than others. Start with a very dilute mixture and slowly increase the concentration over time as you observe your plants’ responses.

–

![](https://chestnutschool.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_4989.jpg)

_Goldenseal seedlings from Mountain Gardens_

## **Special Seed Treatments:**   **Stratification, Scarification, and Light-Dependent Germination**

As compared with vegetables, herbs often have a longer germination period or they sprout erratically. Therefore, many herb seeds need coaxing, cajoling, and an ear pointed toward their needs. If you want to grow herbs from seed, you may need to give them some extra attention in the form of stratification, scarification, and surface sowing. _Please note, however, that some herbs, especially annuals, don’t require any special seed treatments._

These special seed treatments aren’t too hard to master after a few rounds, and an extra bonus for learning these crafty propagation maneuvers is that you’ll also be able to successfully germinate the seeds of most trees, shrubs, and perennial wildflowers.

–

### **Stratification or Cold Conditioning**

Many seeds have a built-in alarm clock that lets them know when winter has passed and it’s safe to begin life as a spring-time seedling. For the gardener, stratification mimics this seasonal cycle and “tricks” seeds into thinking winter has come and gone by exposing them to an extended period of **cold and moist** conditions (typically in the refrigerator).

Plenty of medicinal herbs benefit from stratification, including:

- Echinacea ( _Echinacea purpurea_, _E. angustifolia_)
- Anise hyssop ( _Agastache foeniculum_)
- Skullcap ( _Scutellaria lateriflora_)
- Ginseng ( _Panax_ spp.)
- Marshmallow ( _Althaea officinalis_)
- Passionflower ( _Passiflora incarnata_)
- Stinging nettle ( _Urtica dioica_)

–

For a detailed guide on stratifying herb seeds, see my article on [_Cultivating Woodland Herbs_](https://chestnutherbs.com/cultivating-woodland-herbs-how-to-grow-native-forest-medicinals/#stratification).

–

![](https://chestnutschool.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/056.jpg)

_Stratifying herbal seeds with wet sand_

**–**

### **Light-Dependent Germination**

Some seeds need to directly embrace the sun’s rays to germinate. For these light-lovers, we sow them right on the surface of the soil and very gently press them in so they make contact. They should then be watered very gently by misting or bottom watering so they will not be washed off the surface of the soil. Many very small seeds are treated in the same manner, as they do not have the reserves to grow above a thick layer of soil.

A few examples of herbs that need sunlight to germinate are:

- Angelica ( _Angelica archangelica_)
- Bee balm ( _Monarda_ spp.)
- Catnip ( _Nepeta cataria_)
- Mullein ( _Verbascum thapsus_)
- Saint John’s wort ( _Hypericum perforatum_)
- Violet ( _Viola_ spp.)
- Yarrow ( _Achillea millefolium_)

–

### **Scarification**

Many seeds have a thick, impervious seed coat that must be nicked or cracked before the seed can germinate. In nature, fire or the digestive enzymes of seed-dispersing animals sufficiently damage the seed coat. You can mimic these processes by rubbing the seed between two pieces of medium-grit sandpaper until you see a little bit of the seed’s guts poking through—this is the _endosperm_, which is the seed’s nutrient reserves. The endosperm is usually a lighter color and a different texture from the seed coat.

Sometimes this is done before stratifying seeds and sometimes at the time of sowing. Some of the herbs that will germinate better with scarification are:

- Astragalus ( _Astragalus propinquus_)
- Hibiscus ( _Hibiscus sabdariffa_)
- Licorice ( _Glycyrrhiza glabra_, _G. uralensis_)
- Marshmallow ( _Althaea officinalis_)
- Passionflower ( _Passiflora incarnata_)
- Red root ( _Ceanothus_ spp.)
- Vitex; Chaste Tree ( _Vitex agnus-castus_)

–

![](https://chestnutschool.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/054.jpg)

_Passionflower seeds being scarified with sandpaper_

–

## **Transplanting Medicinal Herbs**

Transplanting is a tender and exciting event—a graduation of sorts for your growing seedlings. If you’ve been pampering your young ones in a sunny window, under grow lights, or in a greenhouse, consider hardening them off by gradually exposing them to increasing amounts of sunlight and wind before you plant them directly in the garden. Otherise, they may burn, wilt, or even expire when placed out in the elements. I typically begin by setting them outside for 1-2 hours, increasing their time under the sun each day until they’re fully acclimated.

I recommend planting your seedlings in the garden on a cloudy day, or in the afternoon, and watering them in well. You can use a diluted seaweed tea or willow twig tea to encourage root growth. If your plant is root bound (roots coiled around the edge of the soil), try and break them free and loosen the roots before planting.

### **Troubleshooting Common Problems with Seedlings**

**_My seedlings are spindly, yellowish, and stretching toward the light._**

Get those babes to more light, pronto! Put them outside on sunny warm days in full sunlight (just a little on the first day, building up more time with each mild sunny day).

**_My seedlings are keeling over, pinched at the level of the soil, and now it’s spreading like wildfire; the neighboring seedlings are also biting the dust._**

You’ve got yourself a case of **damping-off**; a commonly encountered disease affecting seedlings, which is caused by a number of fungi. Try increasing ventilation with fans, open windows, etc. and increasing sunlight (if possible). Take care to not overwater (see previous notes on watering). We add sand to our soil mix, and many growers add a fine layer of coarse sand on top of the soil, both of which discourage fungal activity. In addition, we use an organic biological fungicide from a product called _Actinovate_. We add this bacterial inoculant to our germinating soil mix and periodically water our seedlings with the diluted spray.

**_My seedlings are slightly yellow and just don’t seem to be growing very fast._**

Your seedlings probably need more nitrogen. Water them in with diluted compost tea or fish fertilizer. See the previous notes on fertilization.

–

![](https://chestnutschool.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Damping-off.jpg)

_Damping off killing a seedling- photo by Anne Tanne, courtesy of Creative Commons_

–

## **Resources**

We’ve compiled an extensive list of medicinal seed and herb start suppliers on the blog that you can dig into _[here](https://chestnutherbs.com/herbal-seed-suppliers-and-nurseries/)_. Or, you can browse a few of our go-to resources below:

[**_Strictly Medicinal Seeds_**](https://strictlymedicinalseeds.com/): Formerly known as Horizon Herbs, this Oregon-based business has the largest collection of organically grown medicinal herb seeds and plants (including woodland medicinals and native plants). One of my go-tos for over two decades. Check out the detailed propagation profiles on their website!

[**_Richters_**](http://www.richters.com/): A Canadian nursery offering a huge selection of herb seeds and plants, including rare or hard to find herbs. Sells rare cultivars. Based in Toronto.

[**_Prairie Moon Nursery_**](http://www.prairiemoon.com/): My favorite resource for native plants of the eastern and central United States. Their website has loads of germination and cultivation info, super affordable prices, organically grown plants (although not certified), _and_ the company is cooperatively owned.

[**_Fedco Seeds_**](http://www.fedcoseeds.com/): A cooperatively-owned seed and garden supply company based in Maine. Offers a wide variety of medicinal and culinary herbs, native plants, and edible shrubs and trees. Specializes in cold-hardy varieties. They also have a great herbal seed _[planting guide](http://www.fedcoseeds.com/seeds/herb_chart.htm)_.

[**_Johnny’s Selected Seeds_**](http://www.johnnyseeds.com/): Large selection of seeds and plants, with organic options. A great go-to site for general farm supply needs, with garden tools, soil amendments, etc.

–

![](https://chestnutschool.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Echinacea-purpurea.jpg)

_Echinacea purpurea_

–

_**May your gardens be bountiful, and provide nourishment, beauty and healing.**_

**To be of the Earth is to know**

**the restlessness of being a seed**

**the darkness of being planted**

**the struggle toward the light**

**the pain and growth into the light**

**the joy of bursting and bearing fruit**

**the love of being food for someone**

**the scattering of your seeds**

**the decay of the seasons**

**the mystery of death**

**and the miracle of birth**

**-John Soos-**

## Meet The Green Mastermind Behind Blog Castanea

![Juliet Blankespoor](https://chestnutschool.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/JulietBlankespoor2020-1-150x150.webp)

**JULIET BLANKESPOOR** is the founder, primary instructor, and Creative Director of the [_Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine_](https://chestnutherbs.com/), an online school serving thousands of students from around the globe. She's a professional plant-human matchmaker and bonafide plant geek, with a degree in botany and over 30 years of experience teaching and writing about herbalism, medicine making, and organic herb cultivation. Juliet’s lifelong captivation with medicinal weeds and herb gardening has birthed many botanical enterprises over the decades, including an herbal nursery and a farm-to-apothecary herbal products business.

These days, she channels her botanical obsession through her writing and photography in her online programs, on her personal blog [_Castanea_](https://chestnutherbs.com/blog/), and in her new book, [_The Healing Garden: Cultivating and Handcrafting Herbal Remedies_](https://healinggardengateway.com/). Juliet and her family reside in a home overrun with houseplants and books in Asheville, North Carolina.

### [_Interested in becoming a contributor?_](https://chestnutherbs.com/about/herbal-blog-contributors/)

© Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine and [_chestnutherbs.com_](https://chestnutherbs.com), 2011-2024. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine and [_chestnutherbs.com_](https://chestnutherbs.com) with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

_**Looking for more blog articles about medicinal herb cultivation?**_

Remember, we’ve got a wheelbarrow-full of herb gardening and seed starting resources on the blog. Come on over to browse, pick up our personal gardening tips, and learn about our can’t-live-without garden medicinals.

[Browse Cultivation Articles](https://chestnutherbs.com/medicinal-herb-gardening/ "")

### _Learn more about cultivation, identification, and uses for medicinal herbs in our 1,000-hour [Herbal Immersion Program](https://chestnutherbs.com/online-herbal-classes/herbal-immersion-program/), which is the most comprehensive handcrafted online herbal course out there._

–

[![full-page-ad](https://chestnutschool.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Full-page-ad.jpg)](https://chestnutherbs.com/online-herbal-classes/herbal-immersion-program/)

**–**

## **Pursue Your Dreams!**

#### **Get 100 pages of herbal resources with our Budding Herbalist Guide!**

![Budding Herbalist Guide](https://chestnutschool.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/budding-herbalist-guide.jpg)

- [Previous Post →](https://chestnutherbs.com/lavenders-medicinal-and-aromatherapy-uses-and-lavender-truffles/)
- [Next Post →](https://chestnutherbs.com/growing-medicinal-herbs-in-containers/)

## 29 thoughts on “Guidelines to Growing Medicinal Herbs from Seed”

01. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/9d13f7f1635e157ba47f24a2295f115e?s=50&d=mm&r=g)







    ##### [ap](http://Chestnut%20School%20of%20Herbal%20Medicine)says:



    [June 25, 2019 at 8:07 am](https://chestnutherbs.com/guideline-to-growing-medicinal-herbs-from-seeds/#comment-186026)







    Dear Juliet Blankespoor, thank you for your time and your generous spirit of sharing, I have learn and still learning from your posts. Especially about the use of honey, marigold and my best of all Roses in improving one’s health. I am finally taking that big jump of starting my herbal garden, the only problem that is worrying is my sage plant just don’t seem to be happy at the moment. But I will stick-with-it until I see an improvement in it’s growth.



    [Reply](#comment-186026)

02. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/814cc7d720c52ee0cef086ffdb5e0ebc?s=50&d=mm&r=g)







    ##### Nicala Halesays:



    [April 6, 2018 at 12:16 pm](https://chestnutherbs.com/guideline-to-growing-medicinal-herbs-from-seeds/#comment-149012)







    Hello! I am preparing a raised bed and plan to plant medicinals that are direct sow or sunlight germinated directly into my beds. Would you recommend the soil mix in this article for the entire bed? Thank you!



    [Reply](#comment-149012)



    - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ae5edf833df36c561affa22bedcef4ba?s=50&d=mm&r=g)







      ##### Christine Boroshsays:



      [April 6, 2018 at 2:51 pm](https://chestnutherbs.com/guideline-to-growing-medicinal-herbs-from-seeds/#comment-149017)







      This soil mix could certainly be used to fill your raised beds, although depending on how much you’ll need, a more basic mixture will also be sufficient. Check at your local garden center and they will generally have soil mixes created specifically for raised beds. Happy gardening!



      [Reply](#comment-149017)
03. Pingback: [St. John’s Wort – daisyshealingherbs](https://daisyshealingherbs.wordpress.com/2018/03/16/st-johns-wort/)

04. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df2834e109254c40596ccf2558d16a41?s=50&d=mm&r=g)







    ##### Theresasays:



    [April 4, 2017 at 6:11 pm](https://chestnutherbs.com/guideline-to-growing-medicinal-herbs-from-seeds/#comment-138119)







    Everything you post is so inspiring. Thank you for being present to all of us wanna be’s.


    You mention in the article about your apprentices; how does that work – as I would love to do that. I am a hard worker and self starter.



    Again thank and God bless you,



    [Reply](#comment-138119)



    - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/170e520cabe189e8e1adda3b9697519b?s=50&d=mm&r=g)







      ##### [Juliet Blankespoor](https://www.chestnutherbs.com)says:



      [April 5, 2017 at 10:11 am](https://chestnutherbs.com/guideline-to-growing-medicinal-herbs-from-seeds/#comment-138136)







      I had apprentices that worked with me for many years. However, now that my school is all online, I am no longer taking on apprentices. There are many herbalists that do have apprenticeship programs if you are interested in this type of hands-on learning. Here is a [list of Herbal Schools](https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/resources/herbal-education) to get you started on your search!



      [Reply](#comment-138136)
05. Pingback: [9 Tips for Planning the Herb Garden of Your Dreams \| Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine](https://chestnutherbs.com/9-tips-for-planning-the-herb-garden-of-your-dreams/)

06. Pingback: [The Top Ten Medicinal Herbs for the Garden \| Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine](https://chestnutherbs.com/the-top-ten-medicinal-herbs-for-the-garden/)

07. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f63de516e8ee0f18e10e757d8a6c3072?s=50&d=mm&r=g)







    ##### Raesays:



    [March 18, 2015 at 12:50 am](https://chestnutherbs.com/guideline-to-growing-medicinal-herbs-from-seeds/#comment-107094)







    You are a beautiful and amazing woman. Thank you for sharing your wealth of wisdom, for the time I’ve shared with students and families in that Sanctuary, and that brilliant greenhouse fairy and the many ways she blessed my life. You are a marvelous writer and a gift to us all! ♡



    [Reply](#comment-107094)



    - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/170e520cabe189e8e1adda3b9697519b?s=50&d=mm&r=g)







      ##### [Juliet Blankespoor](https://chestnutherbs.com)says:



      [March 18, 2015 at 9:06 am](https://chestnutherbs.com/guideline-to-growing-medicinal-herbs-from-seeds/#comment-107138)







      Thanks Rae, for sharing such sweet words and being such an integral part of Ruby’s childhood.



      I hope all is well in your new/old home and Im happy to see you are still an amazing crafter 🙂



      Much love,


      Juliet



      [Reply](#comment-107138)
08. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/568dc2a864578a7e48509aec9ee23556?s=50&d=mm&r=g)







    ##### [bibicel](http://samdistribution.ro)says:



    [March 16, 2015 at 11:58 am](https://chestnutherbs.com/guideline-to-growing-medicinal-herbs-from-seeds/#comment-106935)







    plante medicinale!



    [Reply](#comment-106935)

09. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/dca9f581bb2b173b401dc6486b0783e1?s=50&d=mm&r=g)







    ##### Mary Lovesays:



    [March 12, 2015 at 7:39 am](https://chestnutherbs.com/guideline-to-growing-medicinal-herbs-from-seeds/#comment-106518)







    Great information in this article. I think, one of the things so enjoyable about this blog, is the feed back from so many like minded people, following their love for growing plants. Have followed this all winter, which has seemed,” endlessly long”, this year, but the reading and prep work for this season has me up and moving on.



    Thank You


    Mary Love



    [Reply](#comment-106518)



    - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/170e520cabe189e8e1adda3b9697519b?s=50&d=mm&r=g)







      ##### [Juliet Blankespoor](https://chestnutherbs.com)says:



      [March 12, 2015 at 8:43 am](https://chestnutherbs.com/guideline-to-growing-medicinal-herbs-from-seeds/#comment-106521)







      Mary Love,



      Thanks for taking the time to connect and write your sweet note. It has indeed been a long winter for most of us!



      Here –the spring peepers are ushering in the birdsong and the crocuses are boldly smiling up from the frosty earth.



      In green friendship,


      Juliet



      [Reply](#comment-106521)
10. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/896d985df26e084ff87c6876b62c0f4f?s=50&d=mm&r=g)







    ##### Rhondasays:



    [March 8, 2015 at 11:55 am](https://chestnutherbs.com/guideline-to-growing-medicinal-herbs-from-seeds/#comment-106152)







    Great article! Thank you for all the helpful information.



    Have you tried chamomile to prevent damping off? Since i started using it, i haven’t lost any seedlings. Brew some chamomile tea, and mix it in a spray bottle, and water the seedling trays with it every few days. The only problem i’ve found, is the little particles of chamomile can block the nozzle, so i strain it through a coffee filter first. Works like a charm! It’s no wonder chamomile is known as the “plant doctor”. I wonder if chamomile tea could help with powdery mildew?



    [Reply](#comment-106152)



    - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/170e520cabe189e8e1adda3b9697519b?s=50&d=mm&r=g)







      ##### [Juliet Blankespoor](https://chestnutherbs.com)says:



      [March 8, 2015 at 12:57 pm](https://chestnutherbs.com/guideline-to-growing-medicinal-herbs-from-seeds/#comment-106154)







      I haven’t tried it, but I certainly will after reading your experience. It seems like a good bet that it might also help with powdery mildew — perhaps I’ll try it on my bee balm this summer!



      Thanks for sharing,


      Juliet



      [Reply](#comment-106154)
11. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/942d1d3be247716f66a9145c67305bc7?s=50&d=mm&r=g)







    ##### Robinsays:



    [February 17, 2014 at 11:19 pm](https://chestnutherbs.com/guideline-to-growing-medicinal-herbs-from-seeds/#comment-23318)







    What is a good source to tell you how long to cold stratify specific species? Often I can find out that stratification is needed but rarely how long to stratify. And is it best to put in the freezer or refrigerator or alternate?



    [Reply](#comment-23318)



    - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/170e520cabe189e8e1adda3b9697519b?s=50&d=mm&r=g)







      ##### [Juliet Blankespoor](https://chestnutherbs.com)says:



      [February 18, 2014 at 6:20 am](https://chestnutherbs.com/guideline-to-growing-medicinal-herbs-from-seeds/#comment-23358)







      Robin,


      I put the seeds in the frig. I haven’t found a great resource on how long to stratify most seeds, but minimum of two weeks up to three months. If you have the time, I would say one month is a good bet. I have had very few seeds sprout in the bag – namely angelica and arnica. And if you use sand as your medium, and don’t over-wet it, there is little chance of rot. I have done really complicated stratification regimes when I had my nursery, with a schedule of when seeds where to be stratified (longest being three months), but I wonder what would have happened if I stratified them all 3 months before my planting date….



      [Reply](#comment-23358)



      - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/942d1d3be247716f66a9145c67305bc7?s=50&d=mm&r=g)







        ##### Robinsays:



        [March 7, 2014 at 11:28 am](https://chestnutherbs.com/guideline-to-growing-medicinal-herbs-from-seeds/#comment-25157)







        Thank you Julie. I found this resource [http://tomclothier.hort.net/](http://tomclothier.hort.net/) that I’ve found helpful. Got to love plants!



        I love your blog it is the only one I follow. Your photography is amazing. Truly captures the spirit of the plants.



        [Reply](#comment-25157)



        - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/170e520cabe189e8e1adda3b9697519b?s=50&d=mm&r=g)







          ##### [Juliet Blankespoor](https://chestnutherbs.com)says:



          [March 7, 2014 at 11:42 am](https://chestnutherbs.com/guideline-to-growing-medicinal-herbs-from-seeds/#comment-25163)







          Robin,


          Thanks so much for your kind words, very encouraging! That website it truly amazing, thanks so much! I wonder how they compiled that thorough list of germination specifics –it is the most comprehensive one I have ever seen.



          [Reply](#comment-25163)
12. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/b4569f70794a939a8848ebcf0047e467?s=50&d=mm&r=g)







    ##### Eng Habibullah Musharrafsays:



    [May 30, 2013 at 12:40 am](https://chestnutherbs.com/guideline-to-growing-medicinal-herbs-from-seeds/#comment-7680)







    Dear Juliet Blankespoor


    thanks for your reply if the help of professional people (specifically you) continue with me i will complete the book as soon as possible


    best


    Musharraf



    [Reply](#comment-7680)

13. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/b4569f70794a939a8848ebcf0047e467?s=50&d=mm&r=g)







    ##### Eng Habibullah Musharrafsays:



    [May 30, 2013 at 12:38 am](https://chestnutherbs.com/guideline-to-growing-medicinal-herbs-from-seeds/#comment-7679)







    thanks for your reply if the help of professional people (specifically you) continue with me i will complete the book as soon as possible


    best


    Musharraf



    [Reply](#comment-7679)

14. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/b4569f70794a939a8848ebcf0047e467?s=50&d=mm&r=g)







    ##### Eng Habibullah Musharrafsays:



    [May 29, 2013 at 1:04 am](https://chestnutherbs.com/guideline-to-growing-medicinal-herbs-from-seeds/#comment-7668)







    How fortunate I am to have found this lovely site!Thank you so much for all the excellent information.


    I am graduated from Horticulture faculty and now working in Nangarhar Valley Development Authority and now want to have greenhouse and growing seasonal vegetable and nurseries.beside these activities I am writting a book on Medicinal herbs and plants of Afghanistan.


    Looking forward to a renewed interest in herbal medicine and growing special plants.


    Once again Thank you Juliet!!!



    [Reply](#comment-7668)



    - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/170e520cabe189e8e1adda3b9697519b?s=50&d=mm&r=g)







      ##### [Juliet Blankespoor](https://chestnutherbs.com)says:



      [May 29, 2013 at 10:55 am](https://chestnutherbs.com/guideline-to-growing-medicinal-herbs-from-seeds/#comment-7671)







      Eng Habibullah Musharraf,


      Thanks for writing and good to meet you, I look forward to reading your book, please let me know when it is published.


      In the green,


      Juliet



      [Reply](#comment-7671)
15. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/694f483b149607526e5cdeb8a14be24e?s=50&d=mm&r=g)







    ##### Lola Joseysays:



    [January 26, 2013 at 9:49 pm](https://chestnutherbs.com/guideline-to-growing-medicinal-herbs-from-seeds/#comment-3503)







    How fortunate I am to have found this site! And to find someone else feels the same amazement and hope watching seeds produce plants. It’s not a far cry from the


    delivery room in an Atlanta hospital, where every birth was a miracle.



    Looking forward to a renewed interest in herbal medicine and growing special plants.


    With all these great and in depth instructions surely I’ll succeed to some degree!



    [Reply](#comment-3503)

16. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d933b8676a3a322c3b00eb0ab1074884?s=50&d=mm&r=g)







    ##### JOANIE ALLAMONsays:



    [January 24, 2013 at 10:26 pm](https://chestnutherbs.com/guideline-to-growing-medicinal-herbs-from-seeds/#comment-3431)







    Thank you so much for all the excellent information. My husband and I live on an average small city lot and for the last 23 years have been reducing the lawn to garden areas. We enjoy planting herbs and all types of perennials, roses, berries,and my husband built 2 raised beds for vegetables. We are enjoying our retirement and look forward every Spring to see the little,vibrant green plants popping up from this beautiful Earth. Needless to say we have lovely small grassy areas on our property. Life is good! Wishing you JOY! JOANIE



    [Reply](#comment-3431)

17. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/96eea6985fed29f1bfc51d52d8bcc586?s=50&d=mm&r=g)







    ##### carlie norinesays:



    [January 24, 2013 at 2:25 pm](https://chestnutherbs.com/guideline-to-growing-medicinal-herbs-from-seeds/#comment-3420)







    My heart appreciates your helpful, user friendly guide to growing medicinal herbs! I am a young aspiring herbalist..last year I took my first leap with my real veggie/ medicinal herb garden. As I have learned so much since, little articles such as yours greatly add to my library of collected herby knowledge. I am just now starting an independent holistic herb program..and am so happy to be apart of a worldwide community- listening, learning and living in reverence to the earth, its bounty and traditions! I will continue to follow your awesome blog..thank you, and may blessings shower down upon your 2013 🙂



    [Reply](#comment-3420)

18. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/899a29b3c5adf0eca788bbebb45907d3?s=50&d=mm&r=g)







    ##### Joni goodallsays:



    [January 18, 2013 at 3:34 pm](https://chestnutherbs.com/guideline-to-growing-medicinal-herbs-from-seeds/#comment-3224)







    Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience in a practical and easy to follow format!



    [Reply](#comment-3224)



    - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/9ea9e8b854534d29c0b8b8468fb5e3a3?s=50&d=mm&r=g)







      ##### Gadzanani Jabulanisays:



      [October 9, 2019 at 4:17 am](https://chestnutherbs.com/guideline-to-growing-medicinal-herbs-from-seeds/#comment-199049)







      Thank you so much for this wonderful information



      [Reply](#comment-199049)
19. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a833f5800357ea6df7096442754c7e6e?s=50&d=mm&r=g)







    ##### [Asia S.](http://www.woolgatheringwildcrafting.wordpress.com)says:



    [January 18, 2013 at 10:07 am](https://chestnutherbs.com/guideline-to-growing-medicinal-herbs-from-seeds/#comment-3200)







    What a beautiful article and incredible resource! Thank you Juliet!!!



    [Reply](#comment-3200)


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### Most Recent Blogs

- [![Woman reading a book in a hammock by a log cabin in the woods](https://chestnutschool.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Stocksy_txp721ef29aLmz300_Medium_4077011-75x75.jpg)Fiction Books Featuring Herbalists and Herbalism](https://chestnutherbs.com/fiction-books-featuring-herbalists-and-herbalism/)
- [![Shaena Heartwood of Humble Creek Farm.](https://chestnutschool.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/shaena-75x75.jpg)Humble Creek Farm: Student Business Spotlight](https://chestnutherbs.com/humble-creek-farm-student-business-spotlight/)
- [![Herbal Aphrodisiac Shortbread Cookies](https://chestnutschool.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Aphrodisiac-Shortbread-3-75x75.jpg)Herbal Aphrodisiac Shortbread Cookies](https://chestnutherbs.com/herbal-aphrodisiac-shortbread-cookies/)
- [![Correctly drying and storing herbs ensures you will have more potent medicine.](https://chestnutschool.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/drying-herbs-75x75.jpg)Storing Dried Herbs and Herbal Preparations for Freshness and Longevity](https://chestnutherbs.com/storing-dried-herbs-and-herbal-preparations/)
- [![A bottle labeled winter spiced herbal bitters rests on top of herbs and spices.](https://chestnutschool.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/winter-bitters-pic-75x75.jpg)Winter Spiced Herbal Bitters for Digestive Health](https://chestnutherbs.com/winter-spiced-herbal-bitters-for-digestive-health/)
- [![](https://chestnutschool.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Star-Feliz-by-Hop-Nguyen-3-rotated-1-75x75.jpg)Botánica Cimarrón: Student Business Spotlight](https://chestnutherbs.com/botanica-cimarron-student-business-spotlight/)
- [![Of the Forest Festive Non-Alcoholic Bitters by Xálish Medicines.](https://chestnutschool.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/xalish-medicines-75x75.jpg)Herbal Gift-Giving Guide](https://chestnutherbs.com/herbal-gift-giving-guide/)
- [![A bowl of pomegranate molasses compound butter.](https://chestnutschool.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/pomegranate-compound-butter-75x75.jpg)Herbal Compound Butters for Festive Feasting](https://chestnutherbs.com/herbal-compound-butters-for-festive-feasting/)

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The Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine offers online herbal training programs. Our herbal classes include medicine making and growing and using healing plants.

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### Pinterest

- [![Beat the heat this summer with these stunning floral ice cubes. Loaded with beneficial herbs to help make the most of your sipping time! Learn more in our Online Herbal Immersion Program!](https://i.pinimg.com/236x/ed/da/0c/edda0cd53c80b1e130d595e74a2868c7.jpg)\
Beat the heat this summer with these stunning floral ice cubes. Loaded with beneficial herbs to help make the most of your sipping time! Learn more in our Online Herbal Immersion Program!](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/542050505169027614/ "Beat the heat this summer with these stunning floral ice cubes. Loaded with beneficial herbs to help make the most of your sipping time! Learn more in our Online Herbal Immersion Program! - Pinned on Jul 17, 2024")

- [![Create Herbal Bath soaks that uplift the soul from the outside, in.](https://i.pinimg.com/236x/35/cd/4c/35cd4cb0700d186cfc4f0a7bef987668.jpg)\
Create Herbal Bath soaks that uplift the soul from the outside, in.](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/564990715770080264/ "Create Herbal Bath soaks that uplift the soul from the outside, in. - Pinned on Jul 09, 2024")

- [![Beat the heat this summer with thewse stunning floral ice cubes. Loaded with beneficial herbs to help make the most of your sipping time! Learn more in our Online Herbal Immersion Program!](https://i.pinimg.com/236x/ed/da/0c/edda0cd53c80b1e130d595e74a2868c7.jpg)\
Beat the heat this summer with thewse stunning floral ice cubes. Loaded with beneficial herbs to help make the most of your sipping time! Learn more in our Online Herbal Immersion Program!](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/119978777570042871/ "Beat the heat this summer with thewse stunning floral ice cubes. Loaded with beneficial herbs to help make the most of your sipping time! Learn more in our Online Herbal Immersion Program! - Pinned on Jul 08, 2024")

- [![Beat the heat this summer with these stunning floral ice cubes. Loaded with beneficial herbs to help make the most of your sipping time! Learn more in our Online Herbal Immersion Program!](https://i.pinimg.com/236x/ed/da/0c/edda0cd53c80b1e130d595e74a2868c7.jpg)\
Beat the heat this summer with these stunning floral ice cubes. Loaded with beneficial herbs to help make the most of your sipping time! Learn more in our Online Herbal Immersion Program!](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/119978777570042870/ "Beat the heat this summer with these stunning floral ice cubes. Loaded with beneficial herbs to help make the most of your sipping time! Learn more in our Online Herbal Immersion Program! - Pinned on Jul 08, 2024")

- [![Homemade Cough Drops {lozenges} with lemongrass + ginger from foodiewithfamily.com](https://i.pinimg.com/236x/e1/2f/75/e12f75dec76ea8c41d17bb22bd811069.jpg)\
Homemade Cough Drops {lozenges} with lemongrass + ginger from foodiewithfamily.com](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/496170083962528024/ "Homemade Cough Drops {lozenges} with lemongrass + ginger from foodiewithfamily.com - Pinned on Feb 05, 2024")

- [![](https://i.pinimg.com/236x/db/a4/a3/dba4a351eaa883c3fb60ab09d1a1f6ba.jpg)](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/542050505167707477/ " - Pinned on Feb 05, 2024")

- [![](https://i.pinimg.com/236x/19/bf/e9/19bfe9adccd105522ec4276faf2bff59.jpg)](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/20195898324021931/ " - Pinned on Feb 05, 2024")

- [![Ginger Mint #Anti-Nausea Lollipops Recipe - Scratch Mommy #NaturalRemedies](https://i.pinimg.com/236x/9c/25/1c/9c251c644739313f9b4398026fb6030f.jpg)\
Ginger Mint #Anti-Nausea Lollipops Recipe - Scratch Mommy #NaturalRemedies](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/1092967403304814046/ "Ginger Mint #Anti-Nausea Lollipops Recipe - Scratch Mommy #NaturalRemedies - Pinned on Feb 05, 2024")

- [![Love this diy hand cream! works great for my dry, chapped winter hands. And there's lots of great ideas for customizing it with different essential oils.](https://i.pinimg.com/236x/83/c1/a9/83c1a90d149122592fc270726cd0984c.jpg)\
Love this diy hand cream! works great for my dry, chapped winter hands. And there's lots of great ideas for customizing it with different essential oils.](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/542050505167707469/ "Love this diy hand cream! works great for my dry, chapped winter hands. And there's lots of great ideas for customizing it with different essential oils. - Pinned on Feb 05, 2024")


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