Chestnut Herbal School

Chestnut School

seedlings at the former Chestnut Herb Nursery - cropped view

Seed Stratification Explained: Simple Indoor & Outdoor Methods

Many seeds have a built-in sense of timing, a quiet alarm that only sounds once winter has truly passed. This internal clock ensures that a seed doesn’t awaken during an unseasonable warm spell, only to perish when cold returns. Seed stratification (sometimes called cold conditioning) is our way of mimicking that natural pause, helping seeds recognize that it’s safe to begin life.

Herb Mountain Farm - Rose (Rosa rugosa, Rosaceae)

5 Herbal Business Ideas You Can Start with a Single Plant

Your herbal business idea can begin with one single plant. One herb can be your teacher, your muse, and your ticket to launching a business that is meaningful and sustainable. You don’t need dozens of product lines, acres of herbs, or a full curriculum to start sharing your knowledge and passion. In fact, with a strong herbalism education and a bit of creativity, you can establish your business by building your business skills, offerings, and impact on the strongest foundation: a deep kinship with the plant world.

Woman reading a book in a hammock by a log cabin in the woods

Fiction Books Featuring Herbalists and Herbalism

Ready to dive into some reading that’s as comforting as a cozy evening and as fresh as a bundle of handpicked herbs? We went on the hunt for the best fiction books featuring our favorite green-thumbed heroes—herbalists. Our readers have shared their most-loved herbal novels—the ones that made their hearts race, their minds wander, and their love for all things leafy grow even stronger. So, grab your favorite reading spot, a cup of herbal tea, and get ready to explore the art of herbalism in all its storybook splendor.

Correctly drying and storing herbs ensures you will have more potent medicine.

Storing Dried Herbs and Herbal Preparations for Freshness and Longevity

Whether you grow your own herbs or purchase them from a bulk supplier, storing dried herbs properly will ensure they enjoy a long life filled with potency and freshness. In this article, we’ll share the basic rules of thumb for storing dried herbs (and tinctures, infused honeys, herbal oils, salves, and powdered herbs), plus we’ll impart our tips for finding the best high-quality bulk herbs to use in your home apothecary.

Botánica Cimarrón: Student Business Spotlight

We recently had a conversation with Star Feliz (they/them) of Botánica Cimarrón for our Student Business Spotlight series. Star is a clinical herbalist, full-spectrum doula, spiritual guide, and Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine graduate. They practice Afro-Taino Caribbean and Western herbalism, drawing creative inspiration from their ancestral lineage and a big imagination for an earth-healing future.