Herb organization. Is it important? Keeping your herbs organized is more than a matter of aesthetics- it directly supports better health safety and ease of use. Whether you work with culinary herbs, medicinal remedies, or a combination of both, a thoughtful organization system helps you find what you need quickly, maintains potency, and avoids waste. An organized herb collection also encourages consistency, making it easier to incorporate herbs into your daily wellness routines for better health.

Step 1: Declutter Your Herb Collection

The first step in herb organization is decluttering. Start by taking everything out of your cabinets, drawers, or storage boxes. Sort through each herb and remedy and ask yourself a few questions: Is it expired? Do I know what it is? Have I used it in the last year? Anything that is clearly expired, unlabeled, moldy, or no longer part of your practice should be discarded responsibly. Decluttering creates space and clarity, making the rest of the organization process much easier.

Step 2: Clean Out and Refresh

Once you’ve decluttered, clean the space where your herbs will live. Wipe down shelves, drawers, or containers to remove dust, residue, or moisture. This step helps prevent contamination and keeps your herbs fresh longer.

Step 3: Arrange by Category

Before placing your herbs back into storage, sort them into clear categories. Common groupings include teas, dried herbs, tinctures, powders, salves, and oils. Categorizing first allows you to see what you have and identify duplicates or gaps in your collection.

Step 4: Organize with Intentionality

After categorizing, organize your herbs in a way that matches how you will use them. Keep frequently used items within each easy reach and less used remedies in secondary storage. This step is about function- your system should support your daily habits rather than look perfect. 

Herb Organization Storage and Setup 

Choosing the Right Location

Where you store your herbs really matters! Ideal locations are cool, dry, and away from direct sunlight. A kitchen cabinet, pantry, dedicated herbal cupboard, or drawer in a home apothecary works well. Choose a spot that is convenient enough to encourage use, but stable in terms of humidity and temperature.

Avoid storing herbal remedies near stoves, dishwashers, or windows, since heat, moisture, and light can degrade their potency. Bathrooms are also poor choices for storage due to humidity. Herbal remedies should be kept out of reach of children and pets, especially tinctures and concentrated preparations. 

Storage Containers That Work Well

Glass jars with tight fitting lids are ideal for dried herbs because they don’t absorb odors or leach chemicals. Amber or cobalt glass helps protect herbs from light. Tinctures and oils should also be stored in dark glass bottles. Metal tins can work for salves or balms. Paper bags and plastic containers are best avoided for long term storage. 

Arrange by Visibility Needs

Some herbs benefit from being visible so you can remember to use them. Daily teas or supplements are examples of daily use items that can be stored visibly in a way that protects them from light- such as in a kitchen cupboard with a door labeled with a reminder note. Other items could be kept in opaque containers to protect them from light. Balance visibility with preservation by labeling clearly and grouping items logically in their assigned location.

Choosing an Organizational System

There is no single “right” way organize herbs, but these three systems work well for most people. 

1. Frequency of use- keep daily or weekly herbs front and center, with occasional use remedies stored separately.
2. Alphabetical- this method is ideal for larger collections. It makes it easy to find specific herbs quickly.
3. By type of remedy- group teas, tinctures, salves, and oils together for intuitive access.

You can also combine systems, such as organizing tinctures alphabetically within a frequently used category.

Best Practices for Long-term Success

Label everything clearly with the herb name, Latin name, date of purchase or preparation, and any relevant notes. Always consider safety first- especially with potent herbs. Keep records of your remedies, including sourcing and expiration dates. Schedule regular reviews quarterly, semi-annually, or annually to check for freshness and to discard expired products.  A well-maintained system ensures your herbs remain safe, effective, and a true support to your health.

Action Step

Organizing your herbs is an investment in your well-being- one that pays off every time you reach for an herbal remedy with confidence and clarity. This can be a step in the journey to better health. 

May God bless you on your wellness journey!

Joni

P.S. What experience do you have in organizing herbs for better health?