Root Medicine Season: Wisdom Beneath the Soil

We bear witness to the energy shift of autumn each year. As the vibrant greens of leaves give way to warmer tones, we can watch botanicals draw their energy inward -out of the aerial parts, back to their roots.

Beautiful root medicine harvested from our medicinal herb farm! Now, onto processing!

Autumn is the season of root medicine, when nature herself reminds us to slow down, ground, and gather what sustains us through the colder months ahead. Just as the trees draw their sap into their trunks and roots, the medicinal plants concentrate their vitality below ground. That means autumn is the ideal time to harvest root medicines -powerful plant allies like Echinacea purpurea, Althaea officinalis (Marshmallow), Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha), and Arctium lappa (Burdock). Here in Eastern Tennessee, we’re also blessed with native treasures such as Asarum canadense (Wild Ginger), Polygonatum biflorum (Solomon’s Seal), Xanthorhiza simplicissima (Yellow Root), Actaea racemosa (Black Cohosh), and Sanguinaria canadensis (Bloodroot). Each of these roots carries a different story and medicine - from the immune-boosting power of echinacea to the deep, moistening nourishment of marshmallow, and the grounding adaptogenic support of ashwagandha.

Harvesting with Care and Intention

When we take from the root, we take the life of the plant. Harvesting root medicine is an act of both gratitude and responsibility. Elder herbalists teach us, “Take only what you need and give thanks with your whole heart.” If you’re wildcrafting, follow the one-third rule: only harvest from abundant stands and never take more than a third of what you find. This ensures the plants can continue to thrive for future generations. A lot of root medicines are soil remediators, so always harvest away from roadsides, sprayed areas, or contaminated soil, and remember to leave the smallest and healthiest plants to reseed the patch.

Processing and Drying Roots

Once you’ve gently dug your roots, wash away the soil and trim off any remaining stems or leaves. Because roots are much denser than aerial parts like leaves and flowers, drying them can be tricky. Because of their density -and in sharp contrast to aerial plant parts- you can use low-level heat from a dehydrator, or dry in herbal racks near a dehumidifier while maintaining good airflow around the roots. You’ll know they’re ready when they’re cracker-crisp -they should snap cleanly rather than bend. Any moisture left in the root will invite mold and spoil your whole batch (and all that hard work!). To avoid oxidation (spoilage!) in storage, keep your root medicines as large pieces -instead of chopping or powdering-  and secure them in dark, airtight glass jars until needed.

Preparing Your Root Medicines

Whether you’re making a tea, decoction, or a tincture, surface area is everything. Once your roots are fully dried, break or chop them into smaller pieces before storing or processing. This allows water or alcohol to reach the inner fibers and pull out the medicinal constituents. Some root medicines, like marshmallow, are water solvent and provide the greatest benefits when prepared as a tea or decoction. Others, like Echinacea have alcohol-soluble alkaloids and are best extracted in alcohol to preserve their more complex compounds.

There’s something grounding about working with root medicine. Digging into the earth, feeling the cool soil between your fingers -it reminds us that healing doesn’t always come from reaching higher, but from going deeper. As we move into the stillness of late autumn, take time to listen to the rhythm of the land. The roots teach us about strength, resilience, and nourishment; lessons we all need as we prepare for the inward pull of winter. So put on your boots, grab your digging fork, and head out with intention. Harvest with reverence, dry with care, and craft your medicines with love.

May your roots -and your spirit- be strong this season!

Kindly,

Dr. Fig