🌾 Harvesting Natural Ingredients for Home Remedies (Herbal Teas, Tinctures & Salves Using What’s Abundant in October) 🌿
- jmshortt
- Oct 24, 2025
- 3 min read
There’s a quiet kind of magic in walking outside this time of year—the air cool and fragrant, the trees dressed in amber and gold. October feels like a season of gathering… not just pumpkins and apples, but the herbs, roots, and flowers that nature offers before her long winter rest.
If you’ve ever dreamed of crafting your own herbal tea blend, healing salve, or soothing tincture, autumn is one of the most rewarding times to do it. The land is generous right now, and with a little knowledge and care, you can turn what’s abundant around you into gentle, natural remedies that nurture body and soul. 🍃
So, grab your basket, your favorite mug, and let’s go foraging (or sourcing locally!) for October’s natural gifts.
🌿 October’s Herbal Abundance
Even as summer fades, the earth is still offering her medicine. Here are a few common herbs and botanicals that thrive or can be harvested this month:
Calendula — These golden blooms are still going strong in early autumn. Perfect for skin-soothing salves, balms, and teas that support digestion and immunity.
Rose Hips — The jewel-toned fruit of wild roses, bursting with vitamin C. They make a lovely tart addition to teas and syrups that help ward off colds.
Sage & Thyme — Aromatic allies that boost the immune system and make delicious tea when you feel a sore throat coming on.
Echinacea Root — Often harvested in fall after the blooms have faded. A go-to for supporting immunity as the seasons shift.
Ginger (for the lucky growers!) & Turmeric — Warming roots that pair beautifully in autumn teas and tonics.
Pine Needles — Surprisingly rich in vitamin C and perfect for a gently uplifting tea on chilly days.
Plantain Leaf — Often considered a “weed,” it’s a powerful healer for skin irritations and insect bites—ideal for homemade salves.
If foraging isn’t your thing (or you live in a city), no worries—many herbal apothecaries and local farmers’ markets offer fresh or dried herbs this time of year.
🍵 Herbal Teas for Cozy Evenings
There’s something deeply grounding about blending your own tea from herbs you’ve gathered (or thoughtfully sourced). Try one of these simple blends:
1. Immune Support Tea
1 part dried echinacea root
1 part rose hips
½ part ginger root
A drizzle of local honey after steeping
2. Calming Autumn Blend
1 part chamomile
1 part lemon balm
½ part sage or thyme
A pinch of cinnamon for warmth
3. Comforting Digestive Tea
Peppermint + fennel seed + a touch of calendula petals
Steep your herbs in hot water for 5–10 minutes, breathe in the steam, and sip slowly. Let each cup remind you to slow down and savor the sweetness of the season. ☕
🌼 Simple Herbal Tinctures
Tinctures sound fancy, but they’re really just concentrated plant extracts—an easy way to preserve herbs for months.
To make one:
Fill a clean jar halfway with chopped herbs (fresh or dried).
Cover with high-proof alcohol (like vodka) or apple cider vinegar for a gentler option.
Seal tightly and store in a cool, dark place for 4–6 weeks.
Strain through cheesecloth, bottle it up, and label with the date and herb name.
A dropperful in warm tea or water can support your immune system, ease tension, or promote relaxation depending on the herbs used.
🌸 Nourishing Salves & Balms
A homemade salve is one of the most rewarding (and giftable!) remedies to make. Here’s a simple base recipe:
Infuse olive oil or sweet almond oil with dried herbs like calendula, plantain, or lavender for 2–3 weeks.
Strain the oil and gently warm it in a double boiler.
Add beeswax (about 1 ounce per 1 cup of oil) and stir until melted.
Pour into tins or jars, let cool, and enjoy!
These balms are wonderful for dry skin, chapped lips, or soothing hands after time in the garden.
🍁 Honoring the Harvest
As you gather and craft, take a moment to offer gratitude—to the land, to the plants, and to the slower rhythm that allows you to connect so deeply with nature’s cycles.
Autumn reminds us that self-care can be simple: a cup of tea steeped from your own harvest, a balm that smells of earth and honey, a moment to breathe in the scent of drying herbs hanging by the window.
These small rituals are how we remember that healing isn’t something we buy—it’s something we cultivate. 🌙
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