Everything You Need to Start (or Deepen) Your Herbal Journey
Whether you’re just starting out or already neck-deep in mason jars and motherwort, this is your go-to page for trusted tools, ingredients, and knowledge.
These are the exact kinds of resources I’d recommend to a friend — and many are ones I’ve used personally or vetted through research and reviews.
💬 Bookmark this page — it’s updated often as we discover better gear, guides, and go-to shops.
🌿 Starter Herbal Kit (What You Actually Need)
Here’s what I’d tell any beginner to grab if they’re starting from scratch:
- Dried Herbs: Organic chamomile, peppermint, valerian root, and echinacea
- Dropper Bottles: 1oz amber glass with pipettes
- Jars: Wide-mouth mason jars for maceration
- Labels + Marker: Trust me — you’ll forget what’s in that jar
- Measuring Tools: Small digital scale + measuring cups
- Strainer or Cheesecloth: For filtering your finished tinctures
- Vodka or Brandy: 80–100 proof (your extracting agent)
(Pro tip: You don’t need everything at once — just get enough to start with one herb.)
📚 Books Worth Owning
There’s a lot of fluff out there. These are actual game-changers:
- “Herbal Medicine Maker’s Handbook” – James Green
A hands-on classic, full of personality and wisdom. - “Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide”
Friendly, accessible, and full of recipes. - “Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief” – David Winston
Great if you’re into long-term resilience and nervous system support.
(More book recs coming soon — I’m working on a full bookshelf.)
🧪 Tools of the Trade
A few extras that make tincture-making smoother and more fun:
- Herbal Press: Not essential, but incredible for serious batches
- Funnel Set: Stainless steel or silicone
- Label Printer: Clean, uniform, no smudged ink fingers
- Tincture Rack or Organizer: Especially helpful once you scale
🔗 Recommended Brands & Sites
These are vendors and sources I trust — either from personal use or strong community reputation:
- Mountain Rose Herbs – high-quality, ethically sourced herbs
- Starwest Botanicals – affordable bulk options
- Herb Pharm – reliable pre-made tinctures
- LearningHerbs.com – great beginner content and kits
- PubMed / Examine.com – for researching active compounds
⚠️ Disclaimers & Safety Notes
- Always double-check herbal interactions if you’re on medication
- Pregnant or nursing? Some herbs are contraindicated — do your homework
- These resources are not medical advice — just time-tested tools from the field
Jade | TinctureTap
Helping you tap into nature’s pharmacy — one drop at a time.