You will remember what’s in that jar.
At least that’s what you tell yourself.
Then six months later you’re standing in front of three mysterious jars of brown liquid wondering:
Was this calendula? Lemon balm? Did I make this last year?
Label everything.
Seriously.
What Should Be on an Herbal Label?
At minimum, I like to record:
Plant Name
Include the common name.
Even better, include the botanical name when you’re working with medicinal herbs because common names can refer to multiple plants.
Plant Part
Leaf?
Flower?
Root?
Bark?
Seed?
Write it down.
Fresh or Dried
This can matter significantly when recreating a preparation.
Preparation Type
For example:
- Tincture
- Infused oil
- Salve
- Dried herb
- Tea blend
Ingredients
Write down everything that’s inside.
For tinctures, that includes the solvent and relevant concentration information.
For salves, list oils, waxes and other ingredients.
Date
Record when you made it.
Keep a Batch Notebook Too
Your jar doesn’t need an entire novel taped to the side.
Assign a batch number and keep the detailed recipe in a notebook.
For example:
CAL-0926-01
Your notebook can then record exactly how that batch was prepared.
Why This Matters
Labeling helps you:
- Track age
- Recreate successful preparations
- Identify ingredients
- Avoid accidental use
- Track reactions
- Reduce waste
Don’t Trust Your Memory
Homesteading has taught me that labeling isn’t the glamorous part.
But neither is throwing away an entire jar because you can’t remember what’s inside.
Make it. Label it. Date it. Write it down.
Future you will be grateful.
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