Bees, Herbs & Gardens

Medicine Making

Make simple remedies by hand, the way families always have: a cup of tea, a jar of golden salve, a bottle of herb vinegar on the kitchen shelf. Rewarding, peaceful work for beginners and seasoned herbalists alike.

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Before you begin

A few good habits make every remedy safer and more successful.

Start with dry herbs

Moisture is the enemy of oils and salves. Use herbs that are crisp and completely dry.

Clean jars and tools

Wash everything in hot, soapy water and let it dry fully before you begin.

Label everything

Write the herb, the date, and the recipe on every jar. You'll thank yourself later.

Start small

Make a small batch first, and keep notes in a little herbal journal.

Five remedies to make at home

Start with a simple cup of tea, then work your way up to salves and tinctures. Unroll any recipe for the ingredients, steps, and tips.

Herbal Infusions

10 minutes

The simplest remedy of all: herbs steeped in hot water. Every herbal journey begins with a good cup of tea.

  • HerbsChamomile, peppermint, lemon balm, lavender, or holy basil
  • KeepsBest fresh. Leftover tea keeps a day or two, covered, in the fridge.

Herbal Salves

4 to 6 weeks, then 30 minutes

A soft, soothing balm made from herb-infused oil and beeswax, lovely for dry, garden-worn hands.

  • HerbsCalendula, plantain, lavender, or chamomile
  • KeepsAbout a year, stored in a cool, dark place.

Herbal Vinegars

2 to 4 weeks

Fresh garden herbs steeped in apple cider vinegar: a bright kitchen staple that's beautiful on the shelf.

  • HerbsRosemary, thyme, sage, oregano, or chive blossoms
  • KeepsAbout 6 months, in a cool, dark cupboard.

Herbal Bath Soaks

5 minutes

A jar of salts and dried flowers for slow, restful evenings. A small ritual of rest at the end of the day.

  • HerbsLavender buds, rose petals, chamomile, or calendula
  • KeepsAbout 6 months; the scent fades over time.

Herbal Tinctures

4 to 6 weeks

Herbs steeped in alcohol to draw out and keep their goodness. The traditional herbalist's way to preserve a harvest.

  • HerbsGinger, lemon balm, chamomile, or holy basil
  • KeepsSeveral years, stored in a cool, dark place.

From the apothecary scrolls

Herbal Infusions

10 minutes

Good herbs to try
Chamomile, peppermint, lemon balm, lavender, or holy basil
You will need
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons dried herbs, or 1 to 2 tablespoons fresh, per cup
  • 1 cup of just-boiled water
  • Honey or lemon, if you like
How to make it
  1. Place the herbs in a heat-proof mug or teapot.
  2. Pour the hot water over them until they're completely covered.
  3. Cover the cup so the fragrant oils stay in the tea.
  4. Steep 5 to 10 minutes; flowers and leaves need less time, stronger herbs a little more.
  5. Strain, sip slowly, and enjoy.
How long it keeps
Best fresh. Leftover tea keeps a day or two, covered, in the fridge.
A helpful tip
For roots, bark, and seeds such as ginger or cinnamon, simmer gently for 15 to 20 minutes instead.
Go gently
Start with one herb at a time so you can notice how it suits you.

For learning and everyday wellness, not medical advice.

From the apothecary scrolls

Herbal Salves

4 to 6 weeks, then 30 minutes

Good herbs to try
Calendula, plantain, lavender, or chamomile
You will need
  • Dried herbs, enough to fill a jar about halfway
  • Olive oil or sweet almond oil, to cover the herbs
  • Beeswax: about 1 to 2 tablespoons per cup of infused oil
How to make it
  1. Make the infused oil: fill a clean, dry jar halfway with dried herbs and cover them completely with oil.
  2. Cap it and set it in a warm, sunny spot for 4 to 6 weeks, giving it a gentle shake every few days.
  3. Strain the oil through cheesecloth, squeezing out every golden drop.
  4. Warm the infused oil and beeswax together in a double boiler over low heat until the wax melts.
  5. Test the texture: dip a cold spoon, let it set, and add more wax for firmer, more oil for softer.
  6. Pour into clean tins or jars and let it cool until set.
How long it keeps
About a year, stored in a cool, dark place.
A helpful tip
Use completely dry herbs, and keep them fully under the oil, so your oil never grows mold.
Go gently
For use on the skin only. Test a little on your inner arm first, and don't use on deep wounds.

For learning and everyday wellness, not medical advice.

From the apothecary scrolls

Herbal Vinegars

2 to 4 weeks

Good herbs to try
Rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano, or chive blossoms
You will need
  • Fresh herbs, rinsed and completely dry
  • Apple cider vinegar, enough to cover
  • A glass jar with a plastic lid (or parchment under a metal lid)
How to make it
  1. Bruise the herbs lightly in your hands to wake up their oils.
  2. Fill a clean glass jar loosely with the herbs.
  3. Pour room-temperature vinegar over them until they're fully covered.
  4. Seal with a non-metal lid, since vinegar will corrode metal.
  5. Steep 2 to 4 weeks in a cool, dark place, shaking now and then.
  6. Strain into a clean bottle and label it with the herbs and date.
How long it keeps
About 6 months, in a cool, dark cupboard.
A helpful tip
Splash it into salad dressings, marinades, and soups, or use it as a shiny hair rinse.
Go gently
Make sure fresh herbs are clean and dry, and toss any batch that smells or looks off.

For learning and everyday wellness, not medical advice.

From the apothecary scrolls

Herbal Bath Soaks

5 minutes

Good herbs to try
Lavender buds, rose petals, chamomile, or calendula
You will need
  • 1 to 2 cups of Epsom salt or sea salt
  • 1/2 cup of dried herbs and flowers
  • A muslin bag or tea strainer, if you'd rather not have petals in the tub
How to make it
  1. Stir the salts and dried herbs together in a bowl.
  2. Spoon the mix into an airtight jar and label it.
  3. To use, add 1/2 to 1 cup to a warm bath, or tie it in a muslin bag first.
  4. Soak for 20 to 30 minutes, breathe slowly, and rest.
How long it keeps
About 6 months; the scent fades over time.
A helpful tip
A jar tied with twine and a sprig of lavender makes a sweet homemade gift.
Go gently
Test on a small patch of skin first, and skip it if you have broken skin or salt sensitivity.

For learning and everyday wellness, not medical advice.

From the apothecary scrolls

Herbal Tinctures

4 to 6 weeks

Good herbs to try
Ginger, lemon balm, chamomile, or holy basil
You will need
  • Dried herbs, enough to fill a jar about halfway
  • Vodka or brandy (at least 80 proof), enough to cover the herbs by an inch
  • A dark glass dropper bottle for the finished tincture
How to make it
  1. Fill a clean glass jar halfway with dried herbs.
  2. Pour in the alcohol until the herbs are covered by about an inch.
  3. Seal, label, and keep in a cool, dark place for 4 to 6 weeks, shaking every few days.
  4. Strain through cheesecloth or a fine sieve into a dark glass bottle.
How long it keeps
Several years, stored in a cool, dark place.
A helpful tip
Write the herb, the date, and the alcohol you used on every label.
Go gently
Tinctures contain alcohol. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using them, especially if you're pregnant or nursing, take medication, or avoid alcohol, and keep them away from children.

For learning and everyday wellness, not medical advice.
Find herbs for your remedies

A remedy for every part of the day

Tea in the morning, a herb vinegar on the supper salad, salve for hands after an afternoon in the garden, and a warm bath soak before bed. Small, handmade rituals that slow the day down and bring us a little closer to the garden.

From the Medicine Making blog

Step-by-step guides to teas, infusions, syrups, and salves.

See all Medicine Making posts

Make it safely

Choose gentle, well-known herbs, buy from trusted sources, and be sure of every plant before you use it. Test salves and soaks on a small patch of skin first.

A note on safety: everything here is for learning and everyday wellness, not medical advice. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using herbs, especially if you’re pregnant or nursing, take medication, or are managing a health condition. Some herbs interact with medicines, and some are for the skin only.

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Disclaimer

The information on this page is shared for general educational purposes only. It is not medical advice, and it is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any illness. Herbs can cause allergic reactions and can interact with medications and health conditions.

Always do your own research, use caution, and talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or a qualified healthcare provider before making or using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant or nursing, giving remedies to children, taking medication, or managing a health condition. Never use herbs in place of professional medical care.

By using this information, you accept full responsibility for your own choices and their results. Bees, Herbs & Gardens and its owner are not responsible or liable for any harm, loss, or reaction that may come from using the information or recipes shared here.

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Before you begin

A gentle word of caution

Everything in our Herbal Medicine pages is shared as general knowledge for learning only. It is not medical advice and is not meant to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition.

Herbs can cause allergic reactions and can interact with medicines and health conditions. Please do your own research, use caution, and talk with your doctor or pharmacist before making or using any remedy, especially if you are pregnant or nursing, caring for children, taking medication, or managing a health condition.

By continuing, you agree that you are responsible for your own choices, and that Bees, Herbs & Gardens and its owner are not responsible or liable for any harm, loss, or reaction that may result.

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