July is one of the most abundant months of the year for herbalists. Meadows are alive with wildflowers, forest edges are bursting with medicinal plants and the garden seems to produce more herbs than can be harvested in a single day. It's a month of early mornings, full harvesting baskets and preserving as much of summer's abundance as possible for the seasons ahead.
Whether you're gathering herbs from your own garden or ethically wildcrafting in the forests and fields, July offers an incredible opportunity to stock your apothecary with teas, tinctures, infused oils, vinegars, syrups and botanical skincare ingredients.
As always, harvest responsibly. Positively identify every plant before harvesting, never collect from contaminated areas and leave plenty behind for wildlife, pollinators and future generations. A good rule of thumb is to harvest no more than 10–20% of a healthy wild stand and only take what you'll realistically use.
Plants to Wildcraft in July
Sticky Gumweed (Grindelia spp.)
Sticky gumweed (pictured above) is difficult to mistake for anything else. Its bright yellow flowers are coated with a thick, resinous coating that gives the plant its common name.
Western herbalists have traditionally prepared gumweed as tinctures and infused oils to support respiratory health. It's one of my favorite herbs to gather each summer and an important ingredient in our Breathe Elixir.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
July is prime yarrow season. Harvest the flowering tops after the morning dew has dried but before the afternoon heat causes the aromatic oils to dissipate.
Yarrow has long been regarded as one of Western herbalism's most versatile plants. It has traditionally been used in teas, tinctures, infused oils and first aid preparations and remains one of the cornerstone herbs in our own apothecary.
St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
Few plants are as closely associated with midsummer as St. John's Wort. Blooming around the summer solstice and continuing well into July, this cheerful yellow flower has been treasured in European and North American herbal traditions for centuries.
Harvest the flowering tops on a dry, sunny day just after the flowers have opened. One of the most fascinating characteristics of this herb is how quickly the flowers stain your fingers a deep reddish-purple when gently crushed—a sign of the pigments that also transform infused oil into its beautiful ruby-red color.
Traditionally, St. John's Wort has been used to support healthy nerves and soothe occasional muscle and nerve discomfort. It is most commonly prepared as an infused oil or tincture and is one of the signature herbs we include in our Pain Salve.
Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis)
If you've ever wandered along a creek or damp woodland trail in midsummer, you've likely encountered jewelweed. With its bright orange, trumpet-shaped flowers and succulent stems, it's one of the easiest plants to recognize once you know what you're looking for.
Jewelweed has long been considered one of North America's classic first aid herbs. Traditionally, the fresh plant has been applied to soothe poison ivy exposure, insect bites, nettle stings and other minor skin irritations. Because many of its beneficial constituents are best preserved fresh, jewelweed is typically processed soon after harvest into infused oils, salves or soaps.
Always harvest only from healthy, abundant populations and avoid disturbing the moist habitats where this annual thrives.
Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium)
One of the first plants to reclaim disturbed landscapes after wildfire, fireweed transforms roadsides and clearings into breathtaking displays of brilliant pink throughout July.
Young leaves are often harvested for tea before flowering, while the blossoms are commonly infused into honey, syrups or botanical skincare preparations. Besides its herbal uses, fireweed is an incredibly important nectar source for bees and other pollinators, making it a plant well worth leaving plenty behind.
Prunella (Prunella vulgaris)
Often called Self Heal, prunella is an incredibly humble yet fascinating herb. Harvest the flowering tops throughout July for drying or tincturing.
Traditionally, herbalists have valued prunella as a restorative herb and have incorporated it into both internal preparations and topical applications for generations.
Coastal Mugwort (Artemisia suksdorfii)
For those of us in the Pacific Northwest, coastal mugwort is one of summer's defining plants. Growing near rivers, wetlands and coastal habitats, its silvery foliage releases an unmistakable aromatic fragrance when brushed between your fingers.
Traditionally, mugwort has been used in herbal steams, infused oils and botanical skincare. We especially enjoy incorporating it into several of our facial care products because of both its aromatic qualities and its long history in traditional herbalism.
Wild Mint (Mentha arvensis)
Wild mint announces itself long before you see it. One brush against the leaves fills the air with its familiar cooling aroma.
Harvest the leafy stems before the flowers fully mature for the best flavor. Fresh mint can be enjoyed in teas, infused vinegars, syrups, oxymels and refreshing summer drinks. It also dries exceptionally well, making it one of the easiest herbs to preserve for winter.
Elderflowers and Early Elderberries (Sambucus spp.)
Depending on your elevation and local climate, late elderflowers may still be blooming while green elderberries begin developing.
Harvest flower clusters only when fully open and always leave plenty behind to mature into berries later in the season. Elderflowers have traditionally been enjoyed in teas, cordials, infused honey and herbal syrups and remain one of summer's most versatile harvests.
Plants to Harvest from the Garden in July
Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Calendula may be one of the most rewarding herbs to grow. The more flowers you harvest, the more the plant continues producing throughout the summer.
Pick blossoms every few days for the brightest flowers and dry them promptly to preserve their color. Calendula is traditionally infused into oils for salves, creams and body butters while also making a beautiful addition to teas and bath blends.
Bee Balm (Monarda fistulosa & M. didyma)
Bee balm truly lives up to its name. Throughout July, its vibrant blossoms are alive with bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.
Both the leaves and flowers can be harvested for tea, infused honey, herbal vinegars and tinctures. Traditionally, bee balm has been used to support the respiratory and digestive systems while adding a wonderfully aromatic flavor to herbal preparations.
Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora)
Harvest skullcap just as the flowering tops begin opening. This timing captures the plant at its peak while encouraging healthy regrowth.
Known as one of Western herbalism's classic nervines, skullcap has long been used to nourish the nervous system during periods of stress, nervous tension and mental fatigue. It's commonly prepared as both a tea and tincture.
Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)
July is the perfect time to harvest feverfew as its cheerful daisy-like flowers begin to open. Harvest the flowering tops and leaves on a dry morning after the dew has evaporated, then dry them promptly for teas or tinctures.
Traditionally, feverfew has been used to support those who experience occasional headaches and migraines. It contains a variety of bioactive compounds, including the sesquiterpene lactone parthenolide, which has been studied for its role in supporting healthy inflammatory pathways. Its bright blooms also make feverfew a beautiful and beneficial addition to the medicinal garden, attracting pollinators throughout the summer.
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Before the intense summer heat diminishes its aromatic oils, harvest lemon balm regularly to encourage fresh growth.
Its bright citrus aroma makes it wonderful for teas, infused honey, syrups and tinctures. Traditionally, lemon balm has been appreciated for supporting relaxation, healthy digestion and overall wellbeing.
Catnip (Nepeta cataria)
Catnip is often associated with cats, but it's also a wonderfully versatile medicinal herb for people. July is an excellent time to harvest the flowering tops and leaves, which can be dried for teas or prepared as tinctures.
Traditionally, catnip has been used as a gentle nervine and digestive herb, making it a favorite for supporting relaxation, healthy digestion and occasional digestive discomfort. Its soft, aromatic foliage is also highly attractive to bees and other beneficial pollinators, making it a valuable addition to both the medicinal and pollinator garden.
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Harvest lavender just before the flowers fully open to capture the highest concentration of fragrant oils.
Bundle stems for drying, use the flowers in teas and sachets or infuse them into oils for botanical skincare. Few herbs capture the feeling of midsummer quite like fresh lavender hanging to dry.
Bring July into Your Apothecary
Whether you're drying bundles of lavender in the studio, infusing fresh St. John's Wort into oil or filling baskets with bee balm and calendula from the garden, July offers an incredible opportunity to preserve the season's abundance.
Many of these herbs also appear throughout our own apothecary in products like our Pain Salve, Breathe Elixir and Botanical Skincare collection. If you aren't able to harvest these plants yourself, we've already done the work for you so you can enjoy the benefits of summer's most beloved herbs year-round.
Happy harvesting!
