Herbalism in the Fall: The Portal of the West

Harvest, Gratitude & Letting Go

Fall is the season of transition, a golden threshold between the bright expansiveness of summer and the deep stillness of winter. It is the time of gathering, gratitude, and release. Governed by the element of Water, fall reminds us to honor both abundance and impermanence. Just as trees shed their leaves, we are invited to let go of what we no longer need—making space for renewal and clarity.

Living in rhythm with the fall season helps us strengthen our bodies, fortify our spirits, and prepare for the colder, darker months ahead. As herbalists, fall is a season of preservation, reflection, and deep nourishment.

Entering the Portal of the West: The Season of the Elder

Fall corresponds with the energy of the Elder (age 49–63), the archetype of wisdom, teaching, and discernment. This is a time of harvesting the fruits of our labor, both literally and metaphorically. The Elder reminds us to celebrate our growth while discerning what can be released in order to walk into the next season lighter and clearer.

The energies of fall are slowing down, turning inward, and integrating lessons. It is a season of both richness and surrender, of gathering what is needed and letting go of what is not.

Healing Herbs of the Fall

Fall’s herbal allies are warming, grounding, and protective. They help us build resilience, support immunity, and aid in the letting-go process:

• Roots & Immune Tonics: Echinacea, Astragalus, Burdock, Dandelion Root – Strengthen immunity, detoxify, and prepare the body for winter.

• Lung Support Herbs: Mullein, Elecampane, Thyme, Licorice – Protect the respiratory system and ease seasonal transitions.

• Warming Spices: Cinnamon, Ginger, Clove, Cardamom – Stimulate circulation and bring warmth to colder days.

• Heart & Grief Allies: Hawthorn, Rose, Motherwort – Help process emotions and grief, offering grounding and comfort.

Tending to the Garden: Harvest & Gratitude

In the fall garden, the emphasis is on gathering, preserving, and expressing gratitude. This is the time to honor the abundance of the earth while preparing for its dormancy.

• Harvesting roots, seeds, and late-season herbs before the ground freezes.

• Preserving the harvest through drying, tincturing, and storing.

• Offering gratitude to the land with ritual, composting, and seed saving.

Apothecary Work in the Fall

Fall invites us into the apothecary with a spirit of preparation and care. This is the season for crafting medicines that sustain and protect us through winter.

• Making immune tonics with elderberry, echinacea, and astragalus.

• Blending warming teas with cinnamon, ginger, and clove.

• Preserving roots and seeds for tinctures, syrups, and infused oils.

• Creating heart-healing remedies with hawthorn and rose.

Rituals of the Fall Season

Fall rituals help us embrace gratitude, release, and inner balance.

• Gratitude practices—Daily journaling or offerings to honor abundance.

• Bonfires & letting-go rituals—Releasing what no longer serves.

• Breathwork & lung strengthening—Aligning with the breath as leaves fall and winds shift.

• Ancestor connection—Honoring lineage and receiving guidance from those before us.

The Importance of Living in Sync with Fall

To embody fall is to live in gratitude and release. It is to gather what nourishes us, to prepare for the stillness ahead, and to surrender what is ready to fall away. By aligning with the wisdom of this season, we strengthen our resilience, nurture our hearts, and enter winter grounded and at peace.