In the first half of the 20th c. almost every woman living in a village had knowledge on herbal treatment and that knowledge had been passed down for generations. However, in many communities there were people, who had more knowledge on the medicinal traits of various herbs, collected them and treated patients. These people were herbalists and the obvious benefit of herbs on human and animal health guaranteed the popularity of this type of treatment.
The demand for herbalists in the late 19th and early 20th centuries increased. The introduction of railway and thus — improved communication — enabled large herbal fairs, which used to take place on 23 and 24 June up until the World War II. These fairs used to attract merchants from all over Lithuania, Poland, Belarus and even further countries.
Women used to pass down the tradition of herbalism in their families from generation to generation.
The most appropriate time for collecting herbs is one or two days before and after St John’s Day. On these days it is forbidden to weed gardens or feed animals. People going to collect herbs must be clean, wearing clean linen shirts or dresses. Herbs must be collected into linen towels. Gatherers shouldn’t chat among themselves, but be focused, talking to the herbs collected in silence and prayer. Herbs collected in concentration, by asking and apologising are much more effective, empowered with the greatest mystery, revealed only when used according to their purpose. The collected herbs should also be dried individually.