JustBeginning
Beginner's guide

So you're getting into herbalism

Herbalism starts cheaper than you think: dried chamomile, a mason jar, and 80-proof vodka is a real tincture. The expensive mistake is buying a dehydrator and press before you've made your first batch. This guide skips the Pinterest shelfie and covers gear that earns its place.

By Colin B. · Published June 18, 2026 · Last reviewed June 18, 2026
a person putting herbs in small glass jars

Photo by Timothé Durand on Unsplash

The 60-second version

If you only buy 3 things to start:

  1. Cosori Food Dehydrator 6 Stainless Steel Trays — Dries herbs in hours instead of weeks, preserving the volatile oils that make your preparations actually work.
  2. Ball Wide Mouth Pint Mason Jars 12-Pack — The maceration vessel every herbalist starts with. Twelve pints gets you through a full season.
  3. ChefSofi Unpolished Heavy Granite Mortar and Pestle — Unpolished granite that grips and grinds instead of just pushing herbs around.
Budget total
$115
Typical total
$175
Your first tincture costs under $50 (jars, cheesecloth, and good dried herbs). The dehydrator is the one purchase that genuinely transforms the hobby long-term.

We earn commission on qualifying Amazon purchases — see our affiliate disclosure. Price tiers and budget totals shown above are editorial estimates; actual Amazon prices vary.

At a glance

Our top pick in each category

The fastest path through this guide — each best-starter pick by category. Scroll for the budget and upgrade alternatives.

CategoryTop pickPriceWhere to buy
DehydratorsCosoriCosori Food Dehydrator 6 Stainless Steel Trays$$ See on Amazon →
Mortar & PestleChefSofiChefSofi Unpolished Heavy Granite Mortar and Pestle$$ See on Amazon →
Tincturing JarsBallBall Wide Mouth Pint Mason Jars 12-Pack$ See on Amazon →
Straining ToolsUnbleached CheeseclothGrade 90 Unbleached Cheesecloth (36 sq ft)$ See on Amazon →
Herbs & SourcingStarwest BotanicalsStarwest Botanicals Organic Chamomile Flowers Whole (1 lb)$ See on Amazon →
Before you buy anything

A few things worth knowing first

You don't need a dehydrator to start. Your first tincture only needs a mason jar, 80-proof vodka, and dried herbs from a trusted bulk supplier. Buy those first, make one batch, then decide whether you want to invest in drying your own material.

The alcohol matters more than the jar. For most herbs, plain 80-proof vodka (40% ABV) extracts both water- and alcohol-soluble compounds cleanly. Save high-proof grain alcohol for resins and specific roots that need it.

Source your herbs before you buy your gear. Cheap bulk herbs from a disreputable supplier undermine every preparation you make. Mountain Rose Herbs, Frontier Co-op, and Starwest Botanicals are the names you'll see in every serious herbalism community.

The gear

What you actually need

herbs drying on food dehydrator trays

Photo by Jason Leung on Unsplash

Dehydrators

A dehydrator is the single best investment in a herbalism setup. Air-drying works for many herbs, but a dehydrator preserves more volatile oils, cuts drying time from weeks to hours, and handles dense roots and thick plant material that air-drying struggles with. You don't need a big one to start. Six trays handles a medium harvest comfortably. Stackable models cost less and take up less space; shelf-style horizontal-airflow models dry more evenly. See the variant comparison below.

Dehydrators — what's the difference?

A few common shapes, each making a different trade.

Stackable / Vertical

Vertical airflow, expandable tray count, compact footprint.

Airflow
Vertical (top-mount)
Trays
4+ expandable
Temp max
160°F

Best for Limited counter space, tight budgets, occasional use

Tradeoff Center trays run slightly hotter; rotate every few hours for even results

↓ See our pick
Shelf / Horizontal

Horizontal airflow dries every tray evenly, no rotation needed.

Airflow
Horizontal (rear-mount)
Trays
5-9 fixed
Temp max
165°F

Best for Delicate flowers, large harvests, regular use

Tradeoff Larger footprint; not expandable like stackable models

↓ See our pick
Best starter
Cosori

Food Dehydrator 6 Stainless Steel Trays

$$

Our rating

Six trays, digital timer, and a max temp of 165°F handles everything from delicate chamomile blossoms to dense marshmallow root without scorching. Rear-mounted fan delivers even horizontal airflow so you don't have to rotate trays. Quiet, well-built, and well-reviewed across years of real use.

What we like

  • Horizontal airflow dries all six trays evenly without rotation
  • Digital timer and temp dial prevent scorching delicate flowers
  • Quiet enough to run overnight without disturbing a household

What to know

  • Bulkier than stackable models; needs dedicated counter or cabinet space
  • Mesh inserts pass very fine material; use parchment liner for powders
See on Amazon →
Budget pick
Nesco

FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator

$

Our rating

Stackable design starts at four trays and expands as your harvests grow. Under $65 and durable. The top-mounted fan creates slightly uneven drying, so you'll rotate trays every few hours, but at this price it's the right way in when you're not yet sure the hobby will stick.

What we like

  • Expandable stackable trays grow with your harvest volume
  • Under $65, right price before you know if the hobby sticks

What to know

  • Top-mounted fan causes slight uneven drying; rotate trays midway
  • Plastic construction absorbs herb scents over time
See on Amazon →
Upgrade pick
Excalibur

3900B 9-Tray Food Dehydrator

$$$$

Our rating

The dehydrator serious herbalists eventually end up with. Nine trays handle a full summer harvest in one run. Thermostat is precise, airflow is perfectly even, and individual trays pull out for easy loading. Expensive, but built to last decades and resell well.

What we like

  • Nine trays handle an entire summer harvest in one run
  • Precise thermostat preserves volatile oils in delicate herbs
  • Even horizontal airflow, no tray rotation ever needed

What to know

  • Over $300, hard to justify before you've committed to the hobby
  • Large footprint needs a dedicated storage spot
See on Amazon →
Hand grinding grains with a traditional stone pestle.

Photo by Hongjin Wang on Unsplash

Mortar & Pestle

You will use a mortar and pestle more than almost any other tool in herbalism. Grinding dried herbs releases volatile oils and breaks cell walls, making teas and tinctures noticeably stronger. Stone (granite or marble) is better than ceramic: heavy enough to grip and grind without skidding, and it doesn't absorb color or scent the way ceramic can. Get at least a 2-cup capacity; smaller ones are frustrating when you're processing a real batch.

Best starter
ChefSofi

Unpolished Heavy Granite Mortar and Pestle

$$

Our rating

Three-pound granite set with an unpolished interior that actually grips and grinds instead of sliding. The rough surface does real work on dried flowers and roots. Stable, well-sized at 2 cups, and the standard recommendation in herbal communities for a reason.

What we like

  • Unpolished granite interior grips herbs instead of pushing them around
  • Heavy base stays put during hard root-grinding sessions
  • 2-cup capacity handles a solid working batch without multiple refills

What to know

  • Needs seasoning before first use (grind dry rice twice)
  • Heavy enough to be annoying if storage space is tight
See on Amazon →
Budget pick
HIC Harold Import Co.

HIC Kitchen Marble Mortar and Pestle, Solid Carrara Marble

$

Our rating

Under $20 and completely functional for dried flowers, leaves, and petals. Marble is easier to clean than granite and doesn't require seasoning. Won't handle heavy root-grinding sessions, but handles the herbs most beginners actually start with.

What we like

  • Under $20, no seasoning needed, clean after any preparation
  • Marble surface works well for flowers, leaves, and soft dried herbs

What to know

  • Lighter weight means more skidding when grinding dense roots
  • Polished interior loses grip over time with heavy use
See on Amazon →
Upgrade pick
Vasconia

4-Cup Granite Molcajete

$$

Our rating

Four-cup capacity means fewer refills during large batches. The heavier pestle delivers more grinding force with less effort, which matters when you're processing dense roots like valerian or ashwagandha. The right move once you're producing real volume.

What we like

  • Four-cup capacity handles large batches without constant refilling
  • Heavier pestle delivers more grinding force on dense roots

What to know

  • Requires 3-4 seasoning rounds before first use
  • Large footprint; more counter real estate than most kitchens give it
See on Amazon →
purple petals on white surface

Photo by kiyana on Unsplash

Tincturing Jars

Making a tincture is simple: pack a jar with dried herbs, cover completely with 80-proof vodka or apple cider vinegar, wait four to six weeks, strain. You need two kinds of glass: wide-mouth mason jars for the infusion stage and small amber bottles for storing the finished product. Wide-mouth jars are easier to pack and strain than narrow-neck options. Amber glass protects finished tinctures from UV degradation, extending shelf life meaningfully.

Best starter
Ball

Wide Mouth Pint Mason Jars 12-Pack

$

Our rating

The industry standard for herbalism macerations. Wide mouth makes packing dried herbs and straining finished tinctures easier than narrow-neck jars. Glass seals properly, doesn't leach or absorb flavors, and you can watch your preparation develop through the glass. Twelve pints handles a serious season of tincture-making.

What we like

  • Wide mouth lets you pack herbs tightly and strain cleanly
  • Glass seals without absorbing scent or leaching into preparations
  • Reusable indefinitely; a one-time purchase for the hobby

What to know

  • Standard lids rust in damp storage; replace with plastic caps
  • 12-pack takes real cabinet space; buy half a case to start
See on Amazon →
Specialty pick
Njvial

1 oz Amber Glass Dropper Bottles with Droppers (30-Pack)

$

Our rating

Your finished tinctures go into these. Amber glass blocks UV light, the main cause of potency loss in finished preparations. Built-in dropper caps let you dose precisely without measuring spoons. A 30-pack gets you through a full year of making before you need to reorder.

What we like

  • Amber glass blocks UV that degrades tincture potency over months
  • Dropper caps allow precise dosing of potent preparations

What to know

  • 1 oz size means frequent decanting for daily-use tinctures
  • Droppers can gum up if resin-rich preparations dry in the cap
See on Amazon →
Budget pick
UrSpeedtekLive

Swing-Top Glass Bottles 4 oz (12-Pack)

$

Our rating

Larger than dropper bottles, these clear swing-top bottles are well-suited for herbal syrups, oxymels, and fire ciders you plan to use within a few weeks. Swing-top lids reseal easily, and clear glass lets you monitor the color and clarity of your preparation.

What we like

  • 4 oz size ideal for syrups and oxymels you plan to use within weeks
  • Swing-top lids reseal without separate caps to lose or misplace

What to know

  • Clear glass offers no UV protection; store in a dark pantry or cabinet
  • Not ideal for long-term tincture storage; use amber bottles for that
See on Amazon →

Straining Tools

Straining is the step beginners underestimate. A solid squeeze of the spent herbs (the marc) at the end of a maceration increases your yield by 20-30%. Cheesecloth works and is cheap, but grade 90 (tighter weave) won't shed fibers into your finished preparations the way grocery-store cheesecloth does. For pressing, a stainless steel potato ricer extracts the last bit of menstruum cleanly and costs a fraction of dedicated herb presses.

Best starter
Unbleached Cheesecloth

Grade 90 Unbleached Cheesecloth (36 sq ft)

$

Our rating

More tightly woven than the grocery store stuff. Grade 90 doesn't shed fibers into your finished tinctures and is reusable after boiling. The right starting strainer: inexpensive, clean, and it works for everything from delicate flower infusions to chunky root preparations.

What we like

  • Grade 90 tight weave traps fine herb particles, no fiber shedding
  • Reusable after boiling; one pack lasts through dozens of batches

What to know

  • Requires double-layering for very fine powdered material
  • Hand-squeezing is tedious; you'll want a press once volume increases
See on Amazon →
Specialty pick
Zulay Kitchen

Stainless Steel Potato Ricer

$

Our rating

Herbalists have used potato ricers as marc presses for years because they work and cost a fraction of dedicated tincture presses. Fill it with your cheesecloth-wrapped herbs, squeeze, and extract the remaining menstruum cleanly. Under $20 and available at any kitchen store.

What we like

  • Extracts the last 20-30% of menstruum from spent herbs cleanly
  • Under $20, far cheaper than dedicated tincture presses

What to know

  • Small cup means multiple pressings for large batches
  • Very fibrous roots can push through holes; wrap tightly in cheesecloth
See on Amazon →

Herbs & Sourcing

The herbs you use matter more than the equipment you use them with. Potency varies dramatically with sourcing: fresh-dried organic herbs from a reputable bulk supplier outperform grocery-store herbs by a significant margin. For your first year, buy high-quality dried bulk herbs while you build your growing knowledge. Chamomile and lemon balm are the most forgiving starting herbs: gentle, well-studied, and useful enough that you'll actually go through what you buy.

Best starter
Starwest Botanicals

Organic Chamomile Flowers Whole (1 lb)

$

Our rating

One pound of organic chamomile gets you through several tinctures, multiple tea blends, and a salve test batch. Starwest's quality controls are serious: third-party tested, consistently potent, and the brand you'll see recommended in every herbalism community. Chamomile is the best first herb to work with.

What we like

  • Third-party tested organic; reliably more potent than grocery herbs
  • 1 lb handles several tinctures, teas, and salve experiments

What to know

  • Potency drops after 12-18 months; don't overbuy on the first order
  • Buying pre-dried limits your knowledge of fresh plant work
See on Amazon →
Budget pick
Sow Right Seeds

Medicinal Herb Seed Collection

$

Our rating

If you want to grow your own, this seed collection gets you started with chamomile, lavender, lemon balm, echinacea, and other workhorses of a home herb garden. Growing from seed teaches identification and harvest timing that buying dried herbs never does.

What we like

  • Growing from seed teaches identification and harvest timing
  • Inexpensive way to start a self-replenishing herb supply

What to know

  • 60-90 days before harvestable material; not an immediate solution
  • Germination rates vary by herb; not all seeds in a pack come up
See on Amazon →
Going deeper

Your first month of herbalism

Most beginners make their first real tincture before they buy any equipment. Here's what the first month actually looks like, from folk infusion to a shelf of labeled amber bottles.

Read the guide →
Save your money

What you don't need yet

Beginners get pressured to buy a lot of stuff that doesn't help them play better. Here's what we'd skip on day one.

  • Dedicated herb press / tincture press — A potato ricer does the same job for $15. Get the dedicated press after you've confirmed the hobby is yours.
  • Capsule filling machine — You're now in supplement manufacturing territory, with all the potency inconsistency and regulatory complexity that brings. Stay with tinctures and teas.
  • Essential oil distillation kit — Distilling hydrosols and essential oils needs specialized glass equipment and large volumes of fresh plant material. Interesting eventually; not for year one.
  • Grow lights and propagation setup — Start with pots on a south-facing windowsill or buy dried bulk herbs. Grow lights come after you know which plants you actually use enough to justify them.
First week

Your first seven days

A short, real plan to get from gear-on-doorstep to actually playing.

  1. Order dried organic chamomile or lemon balm from a reputable bulk supplier. These are the most forgiving starting herbs. · Buy
  2. Order a pack of wide-mouth pint mason jars and pick up a bottle of 80-proof vodka. · Buy
  3. Make your first folk tincture: fill a jar halfway with dried chamomile, cover completely with vodka, seal, label with the date and herb name, set in a dark cupboard. Check it in four weeks. · Action
  4. Start a preparation journal. Date, herb, preparation method, observations. This habit becomes invaluable after six months. · Action
  5. Read about the simpler's method: one herb per preparation, observed independently. No complex formulas in your first month. This is how you learn what individual plants actually do. · Learn
FAQ

Common questions

What alcohol should I use for tinctures?

80-proof vodka (40% ABV) is the standard starting point. It extracts both water- and alcohol-soluble compounds from most herbs. Use higher-proof grain alcohol (95% ABV) only for resins, bark, and specific roots that need it. Apple cider vinegar is an alcohol-free alternative with a shorter shelf life of one to two years.

What are the best herbs to start with?

Chamomile and lemon balm. Both are gentle, widely studied, hard to misuse, and produce tinctures and teas people actually use daily. Chamomile supports sleep and settles the digestive system. Lemon balm is a reliable nervine for anxiety. Start here before moving to stronger or less-familiar plants.

Is it safe to make your own herbal preparations?

For common culinary herbs (chamomile, lavender, lemon balm, calendula), yes. These are gentle plants with a long history of food-safe use. Strong medicinal herbs (black cohosh, pennyroyal, anything in the nightshade family) require real botanical knowledge first. Don't work with plants you can't identify with certainty.

How long do homemade tinctures last?

Alcohol-based tinctures (40%+ ABV) stored in amber glass away from heat and light last 5-10 years. Vinegar-based tinctures last 1-2 years. Teas and water infusions last a few days refrigerated. Label every bottle with the herb, menstruum, and date.

Do I need organic herbs?

Organic matters most for roots and bark, where pesticide residues concentrate. For aerial parts (flowers and leaves) it matters less. For your first year, buy organic from a reputable supplier. The quality assurance is worth the small price premium, and you'll taste and smell the difference.

Going further

Where to next

Related hobbies

Browse by category

Authoritative sources

  • American Herbalists Guild — Professional organization for clinical herbalists. Their educational standards and practitioner directory are the field's benchmark.
  • United Plant Savers — Tracks native medicinal plants at risk of overharvesting. Essential reading before you start wild-harvesting anything.
  • Mountain Rose Herbs Blog — Practical how-to guides from one of the most trusted bulk herb suppliers. Covers tincture ratios, salve making, and dehydrating techniques.
  • Herb Pharm — Professional extract maker. Their individual plant monographs are among the most practical and evidence-informed free resources in the field.
  • r/herbalism — Active community. Skip the cure-all threads; the preparation technique and plant ID threads are genuinely useful.
Woman in straw hat picking wildflowers in grassy field

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