Why Should You Learn
Do-it-Yourself Herbal Skills?

Because do-it-yourself herbal skills enable you to provide the highest quality herbs and herbal preparations for you and your family!

WHAT?!? All those herbs and herbal products available for purchase are not the best quality?

I'm afraid not. In fact many are grossly inferior to what you can prepare at home.

• Some herbal companies are downright dishonest and "stretch" their herbs by adding "fillers" to their products (usually just cellulose or empty plant fiber).
• But most are just limited by the nature of their business. Whenever a company provides large quantities of perishable goods to a large number of customers, quality suffers.

7 Top Reasons for Learning
Do-it-Yourself Herbal Skills!

1. Excellent herb cultivation
   How, when and where a plant grows is SO important! There is only one way to be sure that it is done right. You must learn do-it-yourself herbal skills!
   • Healthy wild crafted herbs are already growing in their prime habitat. Therefore, their nutrient value is superior.
   • Plant your own, and choose the best conditions (soil, light, drainage, etc.) that assure strong, healthy results.
   • Know that there are no harmful pesticides or herbicides used... 100% organically grown!
   • Avoid artificial fertilizers and use only natural ones (cow patties, horse, chicken, rabbit, goat manure etc.) Rather than harm the natural eco-system of your soil, you give it a boost!

     Worms love that stuff! They eat it for dinner and put out fantastic soil (worm casts)! This not only feeds your herbs, it allows the maximum uptake of nutrients. Hence... herbs with top-notch properties!

   • You choose which plants to propagate...not the sickly, bug riddled ones, but only premium plants. That way you guarantee future generations of healthy plants in your yard and garden.
   
   
   
2. Superior Harvest
   Ever bought a tomato in the winter from a grocery store? Only desperation makes us eat that pale, mushy, tasteless thing!

   It bears little resemblance to the real bright red, juicy, aromatic, packed-with-nutrients, fresh-out-of-the-garden variety.

   Well, the same thing happens with many herbs you buy. Learn do-it-yourself herbal skills and you will:

   • Pick at peak harvest times for the plant part you want. The nutrients in the leaves, flower petals and roots are the highest only at specific times.
   • Gather the finest plants. There will be no brown, diseased bug-riddled roots or leaves in your harvest!
   • Reap multiple yields from each plant. You will learn how to harvest so a plant keeps producing, and learn the benefits of each portion of the herb (leaves, flowers, roots, seeds).
   • Enjoy the convenience of having fresh herbs in your backyard and dried herbs in your pantry of the best quality!
   
   
   
3. Optimal Preservation
   Even if an herb is collected at its prime time, much of the "goodness" can be destroyed if it is not preserved properly.

   It isn't rocket science, but knowing a few key elements will guarantee maximum retention of those important phytonutrients! With your do-it-yourself herbal skills, you are in control of the final quality because you:

   • Dry your herbs at optimal temperatures. Just a little too hot and you destroy valuable enzymes and nutrients. Too cold and they can mold or begin to rot!
   • Make tinctures with the best ingredients. Many liquids (called solvents because they pull the plant properties out) will work, but only a few work the best.
   • Make salves, oils, vinegars and shrubs easily without fearing contamination from mold or spoilage.
   • Ensure your aromatic teas from fresh and dried herbs are nutrient-packed when made the proper way.

   
   
   

4. Safer for you and your family
   Ever found dead bugs in a bag of herbs? Yuk! That may seem horrible, but how about those hidden harmful chemicals? Do you know if any pesticides were used on them?

   Even "organically grown" herbs can be suspect as standards vary widely. Utilizing do-it-yourself herbal skills help you know:

   • No harmful chemical residues are lurking on your herbs. It's an exercise in futility to use herbs for their benefits and have them nullified by pesticides.
   • Unfortunately, bacterial contamination on produce is becoming a great concern. One thing you do not want to experience is a nasty bacterial or fungal infection!
   • To prevent bacterial and insect infestation of herbs, they are often subjected to "sterilization" techniques (often temperatures above 180 degrees) which depletes many of the valuable properties.
   
   
   
5. Satisfying
   Nothing is more satisfying than knowledge that makes you more self-sufficient. Do-it-yourself herbal skills enable you to:
   • Find herbs in the "wild" (your backyard) as well as in your garden to meet the needs of your family.
     • Gather greens for a salad, stir-fry or the stew-pot
     • Send the children out in the yard to get the perfect seasoning that makes your dinner extraordinary!
     • Know which plant will lower a fever, stop bleeding, take the sting out of a bug bite, etc.
     • Pick fresh sprigs to make a refreshing pick-me-up or relaxing end-of-the-day cup of tea.

   • Know that if times ever get tough, you will have an edge!
   
   
   
6. Cheaper
   Everyone is interested in saving money these days. With the rising costs of fuel everything is going up.

   The cost of groceries is no exception (especially if you have a couple of hungry teenagers in your house!). And medical care...Whew! But, when you obtain do-it-yourself herbal skills you save a bundle by:

   • Using wild crafted herbs as food. Talk about cheap! You not only save money but time. No planting or weeding. Just picking and eating!
   • Planting herbs that are perennial or reseed themselves. This is the type of gardening I like. Put it in the ground once, and it pretty much takes care of itself! And it comes back year after year.
   • Lowering doctor bills. Better nutrition means better health. Plus, knowing how to care for your family with herbs can cut down on visits to doctors' offices.
   • Keeping herbal costs down. Once you begin to learn about herbs' many health benefits, you will find out quickly how pricey obtaining high quality herbs can get!
   
   
   
   
   
7. FUN!
   Nothing is more fun than learning something new. Especially when the knowledge has so many positive benefits!

   I know you will enjoy the time spent developing your do-it-yourself herbal skills!