One of the questions I get asked most often as both a teacher and the author of The Herbalist Club is: "Where do we even start?" Herbalism can feel like a big, intimidating subject — but the truth is, the best way in is the same way Eliza and her friends found it: one plant at a time.
Here are five herbs I love introducing to young herbalists, whether in the classroom or out on the homestead with my mother.
1. Lavender
Calming, fragrant, and forgiving for beginner gardeners. We use dried lavender for sachets, simple teas, and — if you've read Book One — a certain wax-sealed envelope.
2. Chamomile
A gentle introduction to herbal tea-making. Kids love watching the flowers dry and steeping their own cup before bed.
3. Mint
Nearly indestructible and endlessly rewarding — a great "first plant" for a child's own garden bed.
4. Calendula
Bright, cheerful, and useful for simple skin salves. We use it in our own first-aid basics, just like the Herbalist Club does.
5. Rosemary
A hardy, fragrant herb that teaches patience — and smells wonderful brushed against on a garden walk.
Almonds, of course, supervises every single planting session and contributes absolutely nothing except moral support and the occasional knocked-over pot.
