The Artisan Herbalist

Bevin Cohen is an author, herbalist, gardener, seed saver, and educator. He is the owner of Small House Farm, a sustainable herb farm in central Michigan, offering a full line of herbal wellness products crafted from herbs that are grown or gathered from the wild and oils that are cold-pressed at the homestead. The products are sold across the US and have been featured in numerous magazines. Cohen offers workshops and lectures nationwide on the benefits of living closer to the land through seeds, herbs, and locally grown food. He is the author of From Our Seeds & Their Keepers and Saving Our Seeds. He serves on the boards of the International Herb Association, the Slow Food Ark of Taste Seed Bank, and the advisory council for the Community Seed Network. He lives in Sanford, Michigan.

Introduction


Chapter 1: Making Teas, Tinctures, and Oils at Home

Herbal Teas

     Gathering Your Equipment

    Single-Herb Tea

    Creating Tea Blends

    Steeping and Pouring

    Infusion or Decoction

    Enjoying Your Herbal Tea

Tinctures

    What Are Tinctures?

    Preparing Herbal Tinctures

    Crafting the Tincture

    Bottling Your Tinctures

    Alternative Solvents

    Using Herbal Tinctures

Infused Oils

    Gathering the Ingredients    

    Choosing the Right Oil

    Infusing Your Herbs

    Labeling and Storage

    Using Heat to Expedite Extraction

    Using the Infused Oils

Crafting a Salve

Crafting a Balm

Crafting a Lotion

Alternatives to Beeswax


Chapter 2: Our Herbal Allies

Herbs of the Park, Field, and Forest

    Chickweed

    Dandelion

    Elder

    Goldenrod

    Hawthorn

    Jewelweed

    Motherwort

    Mullein

    Nettle

    Pine

    Plantain

    Purslane

    Raspberry

    Red Clover

    St. John's Wort

    Wintergreen

    Witch Hazel

    Yarrow

Herbs from the Garden

    Basil

    Calendula

    Catnip

    Chamomile

    Comfrey

    Echinacea

    Horehound

    Horseradish

    Lavender

    Lemon Balm

    Mint

    Oregano

    Sage

    Thyme

The Spice Rack

    Cayenne

    Cinnamon

    Cloves

    Garlic

    Ginger

    Turmeric


Chapter 3: Recipes and Formulas

Teas

    Calming Tea

    Uplifting Tea

    Focusing Tea

    Immuni-Tea

    Heart-Healthy Tea

Tinctures

    Anti-Inflammatory Tincture

    Daily Tonic Tincture

    Immune Boost Tincture

    Calming Tincture

Oils

    Sore Muscle Salve

    Arthritis Relief Salve

    Bug Bites and Boo-Boos Salve

    Healing Lotion for Dry Skin

    Moisturizing Lip Balm

    Relaxation Massage Oil

Miscellaneous

    Herbal Sugar Scrub

    Golden Milk

    Basic Herbal Syrup


Chapter 4: Building an Herbal Business

Develop Your Brand

Business Goals

Sourcing Your Herbs and Other Ingredients

Packaging

Labeling

Pricing

Selling and Marketing

Advertising

Laws and Regulations

Self-Care


About the Author

A Note About the Publisher