Harvesting Medicinal Plants in October
Autumn is not only a time for warm teas and long walks in the forest. For herbalists and those interested in folk medicine, October is a special month. It is at this time that nature generously shares its gifts, and many plants reach their peak strength. Roots, fruits, and leaves become filled with beneficial substances that help preserve health during the long winter months.
This article gathers together the plants traditionally harvested in October.
This article gathers together the plants traditionally harvested in October.
🌿 Calamus (Acorus calamus)
Calamus grows along riverbanks. Its rhizomes are collected from April to May and from September to October. The aerial parts of the plant are harvested from July to August.
🌿 Japanese Quince
The fresh fruits of Japanese quince are used as a choleretic and diuretic. They are harvested when ripe, in late September and October.
🌿 Dzungarian Aconite (Monkshood)
The herb is collected before flowering (May), while the roots are dug up late in autumn after the leaves have withered. ⚠️ The plant is poisonous, so caution must be taken. Store separately from other herbs.
🌿 Field Thistle
Found on slopes, riverbanks, roadsides, fields, gardens, and almost everywhere. The plant is widely used in folk medicine, especially its roots and herb. Harvesting time is from June to October.
🌿 Hawthorn
Hawthorn blooms in May–June. Flowers and leaves are collected during flowering and quickly dried. The dried mixture must be stored in tightly closed containers. Since effectiveness diminishes over time, flowers should be gathered fresh each year. Fruits are picked when they turn red and fully ripen.
🌿 Elecampane (Inula helenium)
The plant has thick, fleshy rhizomes, whitish inside. These are dug up in autumn, especially in October, and dried in the shade.
🌿 Common Fumitory (Fumaria officinalis)
A weed growing in gardens and fields. The whole plant is harvested during flowering, from May to October, and dried in bundles at about 50°C.
🌿 Ginseng
Ginseng roots are harvested only when the plant reaches 6–7 years of age. The harvest takes place twice a year: first in spring (March–May) after the snow melts, and second in autumn (September–November).
🌿 Viburnum (Viburnum opulus)
Not only the berries, but also the roots, stems, leaves, seeds, and even stones are used in folk medicine. Flowers are harvested in May–June, while berries are gathered from September to October. The best time to pick berries is after the first frost, when they preserve their healing qualities best. Viburnum is usually dried outdoors in the shade.
🌿 Cranberry
Cranberries remain on the plant until spring, so they can be harvested not only in autumn but also in spring, as soon as the snow melts.
🌿 Cloudberry
The berries are harvested in July–August, while roots for medicinal purposes are dug in late autumn.
🌿 Sea Buckthorn
If berries are needed for jams or pickling, they are picked before fully ripening. For jellies, marmalades, and oil, fully ripe berries are used.
🌿 Couch Grass (Elymus repens)
Its rhizomes are used medicinally. They are dug up in early spring or autumn, then cleaned, washed, and dried in open air.
🌿 Field Restharrow (Ononis arvensis)
It blooms in June–August, and seeds ripen in July–September. Found on meadows, riverbanks, and clay or black soils. Medicinal use comes from its roots, which are dug in autumn and dried in the air.
🌿 Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
Mainly the fruits are used. They are collected in autumn when fully ripe and then threshed. Stored in tightly sealed containers or sacks.
🌿 Dog Rose (Rosa cinnamomea)
It blooms from mid-May to July. The fruits are harvested in autumn for their high vitamin C content.
🌿 Eleutherococcus
Roots are dug just before winter. Since they lie close to the surface, harvesting is easy. The roots are cleaned, cut into pieces, and dried in special dryers for one hour at 80°C.
🌿 Ephedra (Ephedra equisetina)
For medicinal purposes, the green twigs are collected from July to October.
Calamus grows along riverbanks. Its rhizomes are collected from April to May and from September to October. The aerial parts of the plant are harvested from July to August.
🌿 Japanese Quince
The fresh fruits of Japanese quince are used as a choleretic and diuretic. They are harvested when ripe, in late September and October.
🌿 Dzungarian Aconite (Monkshood)
The herb is collected before flowering (May), while the roots are dug up late in autumn after the leaves have withered. ⚠️ The plant is poisonous, so caution must be taken. Store separately from other herbs.
🌿 Field Thistle
Found on slopes, riverbanks, roadsides, fields, gardens, and almost everywhere. The plant is widely used in folk medicine, especially its roots and herb. Harvesting time is from June to October.
🌿 Hawthorn
Hawthorn blooms in May–June. Flowers and leaves are collected during flowering and quickly dried. The dried mixture must be stored in tightly closed containers. Since effectiveness diminishes over time, flowers should be gathered fresh each year. Fruits are picked when they turn red and fully ripen.
🌿 Elecampane (Inula helenium)
The plant has thick, fleshy rhizomes, whitish inside. These are dug up in autumn, especially in October, and dried in the shade.
🌿 Common Fumitory (Fumaria officinalis)
A weed growing in gardens and fields. The whole plant is harvested during flowering, from May to October, and dried in bundles at about 50°C.
🌿 Ginseng
Ginseng roots are harvested only when the plant reaches 6–7 years of age. The harvest takes place twice a year: first in spring (March–May) after the snow melts, and second in autumn (September–November).
🌿 Viburnum (Viburnum opulus)
Not only the berries, but also the roots, stems, leaves, seeds, and even stones are used in folk medicine. Flowers are harvested in May–June, while berries are gathered from September to October. The best time to pick berries is after the first frost, when they preserve their healing qualities best. Viburnum is usually dried outdoors in the shade.
🌿 Cranberry
Cranberries remain on the plant until spring, so they can be harvested not only in autumn but also in spring, as soon as the snow melts.
🌿 Cloudberry
The berries are harvested in July–August, while roots for medicinal purposes are dug in late autumn.
🌿 Sea Buckthorn
If berries are needed for jams or pickling, they are picked before fully ripening. For jellies, marmalades, and oil, fully ripe berries are used.
🌿 Couch Grass (Elymus repens)
Its rhizomes are used medicinally. They are dug up in early spring or autumn, then cleaned, washed, and dried in open air.
🌿 Field Restharrow (Ononis arvensis)
It blooms in June–August, and seeds ripen in July–September. Found on meadows, riverbanks, and clay or black soils. Medicinal use comes from its roots, which are dug in autumn and dried in the air.
🌿 Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
Mainly the fruits are used. They are collected in autumn when fully ripe and then threshed. Stored in tightly sealed containers or sacks.
🌿 Dog Rose (Rosa cinnamomea)
It blooms from mid-May to July. The fruits are harvested in autumn for their high vitamin C content.
🌿 Eleutherococcus
Roots are dug just before winter. Since they lie close to the surface, harvesting is easy. The roots are cleaned, cut into pieces, and dried in special dryers for one hour at 80°C.
🌿 Ephedra (Ephedra equisetina)
For medicinal purposes, the green twigs are collected from July to October.
October is a golden time for harvesting medicinal plants. During this season, roots are full of strength, and fruits reach their ripeness. However, it is important to remember: each plant requires respect and careful handling. Some herbs are poisonous, while others quickly lose their healing properties if not stored properly.
By gathering the gifts of nature, we are not only preparing remedies for the winter — we are maintaining our connection with nature and its rhythms. May your harvest bring you health, vitality, and harmony!
By gathering the gifts of nature, we are not only preparing remedies for the winter — we are maintaining our connection with nature and its rhythms. May your harvest bring you health, vitality, and harmony!