7/31/2019 Gathering of Herbs
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Gathering of Herbs
Gathering of herbs not a simple matter. A lot depends on several
factors such as
temperature, humidity, light and manners of handling during
harvesting. Proper timing is
important because a plant, or its parts, is more potent under
certain conditions of course; if theneed is immediate the herbs may
be gathered at once.
Some people are surprised at some of the ways herbolanos gather
herbs. Many find
them ridiculous. Example of these practices are: (1) the
preference to gather herbs during Holy
Week, (2) the taking of roots only before the plant has
flowered, and (3) the practice of asking
permission from the plant in low whispering voices.
Further inquiry into the matter reveals that the above-mentioned
practices may have
some rational bases. In the first case it has been established
that hot temperature tend to
stimulate or activate the plants elements in order to produce
more energy or substances that
are necessary for its sustenance under this adverse condition.
The Holy Week is usually thehottest time of the year time of the
year. In the second case the stores plant food in the root is
diminished when released to nourish flowers and fruits. In the
last instance many reputable
articles have been published recently regarding the response of
some plants to sounds (such as
music) and their conscious awareness especially of their human
benefactors such as gardeners
and care takers.
The following are some general guidelines in the gathering of
herbs.
1. When potency is in the whole fruit, the fruit is harvest
before maturity. This is usually
the case when the fruit is used to expel intestinal worms or as
purgative. Some fruits
are eaten ripe when used as laxative for its nutrients.
2. Seeds are collated from, fully ripened fruits. Those which
are starting to
germinate are not used.
3. Stems and leaves are best taken before the flowers
blossom.
4. Flowers are collated in the morning when the dew or mist on
them has just
dried up. (5)
5. Barks are gathered during warm, dry, weather, preferably from
at least 2- year-
old plants. (5)
6. Ground parts are taken just before the flowering stage. These
refer to roots,
bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes, and like. These are collectively
known as
storage organs.
7. If the whole plant is to use it is best taken when the
flowers have blossoms. (5)
