These are notes I took from the section titled "Guidelines for Gathering" in
The Herbal Home Remedy Book by Joyce A. Wardell.
• Leaves should be gathered when they are young and tender before the flower buds appear, or when new growth appears after seeding in Fall.
• Flowers, usually should be gathered before they are in full bloom. And mid to late morning, after the dew is dry, is the best time of day.
• Seeds are gathered when they are ripe and dry but before they fall to the ground.
• Roots should be gathered in early Spring or late Fall. And since sap rises and falls with the sun, the ideal time to gather is early in the morning or on toward evening when more sap will be in the root.
• Inner bark and sap are best gathered when the sap is flowing in Spring, but before the leaves are full size. Mid-afternoon, on a warm sunny day, on the Southern side of the tree is best. Gather inner bark from the *limbs* of the tree, not trunk (which may kill the tree).
• Shoots can be gathered all year, though they are most abundant in Spring.
• Plants that are gathered in Spring or late Fall (ex: violet, rose hips, dandelion root) usually reach their peak potency during cool weather spells.
• Plants gathered in Summer and early Fall (ex: mullein & St. John’s wort flower, sage leaf, chokecherry) typically need heat to reach full potency and create essential oils, so gather these during hot spells.
• It’s best not to gather for a day or two after a heavy rain, because the extra water will be soaked up and the plant will lose potency.
• Likewise, it’s best not to gather during draught, because the plants will be stressed and won’t be as potent.
The author also said that if you can’t follow these guidelines don’t be to hard on yourself. You may need to use more herb or take two cups of tea instead of one, but for home medicinal purposes, those are the kinds of adjustments you can make.
Anyone have more tips for gathering an herb you have positively identified?
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