So… what are herbs, really? Before supplements, before pharmacies, before anyone decided to put everything in plastic bottles with warning labels longer than the Bible, there were herbs. And by herbs, I mean plants people noticed worked. That’s it. That’s the origin story. No lab coats. No marketing team. Just humans hurting, hungry, sick, tired, or annoyed, looking around and thinking, “Well… this leaf didn’t kill me yesterday.” Early humans didn’t have Google. They had trial, error, observation, and a lot of “don’t eat that again” moments. Over thousands of years, they figured out which plants eased pain, helped digestion, calmed nerves, healed wounds, or kept food from rotting long enough to eat tomorrow. Herbalism wasn’t a hobby. It was survival. Every culture on Earth developed herbal knowledge. Not because it was trendy, but because plants were the medicine cabinet. Grandmothers knew things. Healers knew things. Farmers knew things. And that knowledge was passed down by memory, story, and watching what worked. Then fast forward a few thousand years and suddenly herbs got labeled as: “Old-fashioned” “Folk remedies” “Alternative” Which is funny, because modern medicine literally comes from plants. Aspirin came from willow bark. Digitalis from foxglove. Morphine from poppy. Science didn’t replace herbs. It isolated them, concentrated them, and put them in capsules. Herbs didn’t disappear. They just got quieter. And here’s the part people forget: herbs were never meant to be magical cure-alls or miracle fixes. They were tools. Support. Helpers. Sometimes gentle, sometimes strong, sometimes not right for everyone. That’s what I’m here to talk about. Not fantasy herbalism. Not fear-based herbalism. Not “this plant will fix your entire life” herbalism. Just honest plant knowledge, where it came from, how people actually use it, and when to respect it instead of romanticizing it. Plants have been taking care of humans long before humans decided they knew better. We’re just remembering how to listen again.

🌿 Make a Calming Herb Bouquet Because your house has been through enough. Let’s be honest. Houses absorb everything. Bad moods. Weird conversations. That one argument that “wasn’t an argument.” Too much news. Too many people. Not enough naps. If your home feels a little on edge, it’s not haunted. It’s just tired. Enter: the calming herb bouquet. No ceremony. No rules. No pretending you live in a magazine spread. Just herbs in a vase doing their quiet, useful thing. What this bouquet is actually for This bouquet is for when: Everyone is slightly irritated and no one knows why The house feels noisy even when it’s quiet You want calm without making a big production out of it It helps take the edge off. Like herbal background noise, but pleasant. The herbs (don’t overthink this) Use what you like. This is not a purity test. Sage – smells clean and grounded Lavender – classic calm without trying too hard Rosemary – fresh, steady, and a little bossy Mint – brightens the mood immediately Lemon balm or thyme – softens everything so it plays well together If you only have three of these, congratulations. That’s still a bouquet. How to make it Rinse the herbs. Dirt belongs outside. Trim the stems so they fit in a vase without looking annoyed. Taller herbs in the middle. Softer ones around them. Add water. Put it somewhere people actually exist. You’re done. That’s the whole process. Where it works best Kitchens where everyone congregates for no reason Living rooms where people overthink Entryways where the day follows you inside Basically anywhere the vibe could use a deep breath. Why it helps Herbs smell familiar. Familiar smells tell your brain, “You’re fine. Sit down.” That’s it. That’s the science. Also, it looks nice. And sometimes that alone improves everyone’s mood more than a long talk ever could. Final thought If your house suddenly feels easier to be in, and no one can explain why, good. That’s the point. ~Herbalism with Lori

Hi, I’m Lori, AKA Darklady AkA The Herb Witch and I teach herbalism without yelling. This is a quiet space for learning about plants as they are. No miracle claims. No mystical backflips. Just herbs, context, and slow understanding. You don’t need experience. You don’t need special tools. You just need curiosity and a willingness to pay attention. If you want to introduce yourself, tell us: • a plant you already know • or one you’ve always wondered about Pull up a chair. The plants aren’t in a rush. The Herb Witch