Harvesting Herbs
Plant chemistry varies according to the time of day and season. Traditionally, some plants were always collected prior to sunrise, and others were never collected after sunset. In all, plant harvesting practices included many important quirks, which are now being proved to be of value through scientific evaluation. It is possible to identify some basic guiding principles:
Leaves: Spring leaves are best because they have new sap in them. Their energy has not yet been drawn away to produce flowers or seeds.
Bark: Spring is the best time to collect bark, just as the sap rises. This is also when the newly formed bark is most easily cut off.
Flowers: These are at their peak just after they have opened.
Seeds: These are at their peak in late summer and early autumn.
Berries: Usually autumn is the best time to collect berries. Look for good, deep color and tight, glowing skin.
Roots, rhizomes, root bark, and tubers: Collect in late autumn when all the top foliage has died down, but before the nutrients stored in them are used during the winter and spring. Springtime is an option and will produce a slightly different chemistry, but spring collecting should be done before major foliage and stem production has begun.
(The complete home guide to Herbs, Natural Healing & Nutrition, pp. 28-29)
