Texas Noob and Herb Costs

[JenStudent]

Over the past year I have dove into medicinal herbs. I have a cabinet stocked with herbs I purchased to get started. I over purchased because I was eager and spent too much starting off. Now I have lbs of herbs I am currently learning about and that are losing potency. Now that I am educating myself about our ailments and needs, I am browsing to add to the cabinet. These prices! Seems to have busted through the roof. $44 for 4 oz of Teasel Root!? Isn’t this a roadside weed? Unfortunately I am in an area where I just cannot plant most herbs. I am familiar with the best sites to order from. I also understand that purchasing these items will help me avoid the smaller doc bills. I fully comprehend the investment but it sure does add up for 4oz of 50+herbs.

So, in order to have what you need when you need it, how does one with a small budget grow their apothecary? How are you adding herbs/ replenishing with inflation? Sharing orders with a neighbor? Budgeting monthly for 1, or 2? Curious your thoughts on this.

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[Rebecca LivermoreStudent]

Hi Jenny, I totally understand your concerns. I recommend starting with what you already have – as long as it hasn’t lost potency. I also recommend making your own tinctures. Buying the powdered herbs and then making tinctures is way less expensive than buying the tinctures already made. You will save a bundle that way. And the tinctures are super easy to make. If you don’t know how, check out the medicine making module. It’s well worth your time to learn, and as I said, it’s easy. Plus, the tinctures basically don’t expire, so you can build your apothecary over time without wasting a ton of money.

In addition to the above advice, I recommend prioritizing. What are your biggest health concerns? Start by building your stash to focus on those things, and add in other things as you are able. Don’t worry about getting everything at once. If you keep building it as you can, you’ll get there.

Finally, I personally like getting free shipping, so I make larger orders less frequently than smaller orders monthly. That’s a personal preference, and you may choose to do the opposite.

The key thing to remember is that this is a marathon, not a sprint. Slow and steady wins the race. 🙂

[JenStudentTopic Author]

I have made many tinctures already. I usually buy the cut and sifted rather than powder so I can do more things with it. I have found I go more towards the teas than tinctures when taking them so having a mix helps. Slow and steady is not my forte. haha.

Thanks for responding!

[Rebecca LivermoreStudent]

Teas are nice! The only challenge is they don’t store as long. So maybe you can do a mix of things – tincturing part, so it lasts longer and then making teas that you can use up before they expire.

I totally hear you on slow and steady being challenging. I have a bunch of powder that I need to hurry up and do something with. I get on these buying binges, but have to make time to do something with what I bought. Like you, I have a pretty limited budget, so I try not to waste anything. I suppose that is why I’m so into tinctures. 🙂

One thing you mentioned that I think is a worthy quest is finding someone you can split things with. For instance, if you buy a pound of something, and you only need a half a pound is there someone else who would want to go in with you? I don’t, but if I did, I would certainly consider that. Of course, you can buy smaller quantities, but then the price per ounce is so much higher in the smaller quantities that it’s hard to justify. Bottom line is that I feel your pain!

[Greg BoggsStudent]

Welcome Jenny! Just because they are losing potency doesn’t mean they are ineffective. While it’s best to use them within a timeframe, don’t let that stop you from using them at all

[JenStudentTopic Author]

Oh it definitely hasn’t stopped me. I am not a full year in but I ordered so much haha. I am trying to learn more and go through them. I want an abundant herb cabinet and I am well on my way and excited for all of this information.

[Greg BoggsStudent]

Haha yeah I understand that. Do you know what hardiness zone you are in over in Texas?

[Rebecca LivermoreStudent]

Good point on potency, Greg!

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