Chestnut Herbal School

Herbalism Resources

A foldable clothes rack is handy for drying herb bundles.

How to Hang-Dry Herbs Using the Rubber Band Method

One of the easiest ways to dry herbs on their stems is to hang them in bundles on an indoor clothes-line or string using the rubber band method. If you have a nice dark corner of your house with adequate airflow simply put two nails in the wall and hang a string between them. In the olden days, our ancestors strung their herbs right from the kitchen rafters, and some herbalists still do. I prefer bundling herbs with rubber bands rather than twine, because the plants generally stay in place as they dehydrate.

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.

Chestnut Student Garden Showcase: Herbalist L. Leland of Blossomwood Botanicals

How to Grow an Herb Garden: Get Inspired by the Real Gardens of Chestnut Students

Whether you’re planning your first herb garden or already tending a botanical beauty, our student garden tour will show you how far care, dedication, and a solid herbal education can take you. If you’ve been wondering how to grow an herb garden yourself, we’ve included free resources at the end of the blog—complete with practical tips, beginner-friendly plant suggestions, and ways to grow your skills (and confidence) with medicinal herbs. Take a gander at these real-life photos and stories showcasing the incredible ways Chestnut students are weaving medicinal herbs into their homes, backyards, and communities.

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.