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Making Money with Herblore in Old School RuneScape
Herblore in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a skill that allows players to create potions using herbs and other ingredients. While it’s often seen as an expensive skill to train, Herblore can also be a profitable venture if approached strategically. This guide explores how to make money with Herblore in OSRS, covering methods, requirements, and tips to maximize profits. Whether you’re a low-level player or a seasoned veteran, these strategies can help you turn herbs into gold.
Herblore involves combining herbs with secondary ingredients to create potions that provide various in-game benefits, such as boosting combat stats or restoring health. The demand for these potions is high due to their utility in PvM (Player vs Monster), PvP (Player vs Player), and skilling activities. By understanding market trends and focusing on high-demand potions, you can capitalize on this demand to generate consistent profits.
High Demand for Potions
Potions like Super Combat Potions, Prayer Potions, and Saradomin Brews are staples in bossing and Slayer tasks. Players are willing to pay premium prices for these, especially in bulk, making them prime candidates for profit.
Grand Exchange Price Fluctuations
The Grand Exchange (GE) is your primary marketplace for buying and selling Herblore materials and potions. Prices for herbs, secondary ingredients, and finished potions fluctuate based on supply and demand. Monitoring these trends using tools like the GE Tracker can help you buy low and sell high.
Getting Started with Herblore for Profit
Before diving into money-making methods, you need to meet certain requirements and understand the basics of Herblore. This section covers what you need to start profiting from this skill.
Herblore Level Requirements
Most profitable Herblore methods require at least a moderate skill level. Here are some key potions and their level requirements:
- Attack Potion: Level 3 Herblore
- Prayer Potion: Level 38 Herblore
- Super Strength: Level 55 Herblore
- Super Combat Potion: Level 90 Herblore
Boosts like Spicy Stews (with yellow spice) can temporarily increase your Herblore level by up to +5, allowing you to make higher-level potions early.
Quest Prerequisites
Unlocking Herblore requires completing the Druidic Ritual quest, which is short and grants 250 Herblore XP. Additional quests like Jungle Potion and Zogre Flesh Eaters provide XP rewards, helping you reach profitable levels faster.
Starting Capital
Herblore money-making requires an initial investment to buy herbs, vials, and secondary ingredients. A budget of 1-5 million GP is sufficient to start, though larger investments can yield higher profits. You can earn this capital through other methods like mining or combat.
Profitable Herblore Methods
Here are some of the most effective ways to make money with Herblore, focusing on potions and processes that offer good profit margins.
Making Unfinished Potions
One of the simplest methods is creating unfinished potions by combining grimy herbs with vials of water. This method is accessible at low levels and can be profitable due to the price difference between herbs and unfinished potions.
| Herb | Herblore Level | Grimy Herb Price (GP) | Unfinished Potion Price (GP) | Profit per Potion (GP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranarr Weed | 30 | 6,500 | 7,200 | 700 |
| Toadflax | 34 | 4,800 | 5,400 | 600 |
Note: Prices are approximate and based on GE data as of May 2025. Always check current prices before investing.
Cleaning Grimy Herbs
Cleaning grimy herbs to sell their clean versions can be profitable, especially for high-demand herbs like Ranarr and Snapdragon. This method requires minimal effort and can be done at low Herblore levels.
- Ranarr Weed: Grimy (~6,500 GP) to Clean (~7,000 GP) = ~500 GP profit per herb
- Snapdragon: Grimy (~8,000 GP) to Clean (~8,600 GP) = ~600 GP profit per herb
Use the Clean All option in your inventory to speed up the process, and sell clean herbs in bulk for maximum profit.
Making High-Demand Potions
Crafting finished potions is the most lucrative Herblore method, especially for potions used in end-game content. Here are some top potions to focus on:
- Prayer Potion (Level 38): Made with Ranarr Weed and Snape Grass. Profit: ~1,000 GP per potion.
- Super Restore (Level 63): Made with Snapdragon and Red Spider’s Eggs. Profit: ~1,200 GP per potion.
- Saradomin Brew (Level 81): Made with Toadflax and Crushed Bird’s Nest. Profit: ~1,500 GP per potion.
Combine herbs and secondaries in your bank for efficient production, and use Portable Wells (if available) to make extra potions for free, boosting profits.
Maximizing Efficiency and Profits
To make the most money with Herblore, you need to optimize your workflow and reduce costs. These tips will help you increase your hourly profits.
Farming Your Own Herbs
Farming herbs through herb runs can significantly cut costs. With 32 Farming, you can plant herb seeds in patches like those in Catherby or Hosidius. Popular seeds include:
- Ranarr Seed: ~30,000 GP, yields 5-10 herbs per patch
- Snapdragon Seed: ~50,000 GP, yields 5-10 herbs per patch
Use Ultracompost and the Magic Secateurs to maximize yields, and check patches every 70 minutes for consistent herb supplies.
Using the Grand Exchange Efficiently
Buy materials during price dips and sell potions when prices peak. Use Buy Limits wisely (e.g., 10,000 herbs per 4 hours) to stock up without inflating prices. Set buy offers slightly below market price to save GP.
Leveraging Quests and Boosts
Complete quests like Sins of the Father to unlock the Blisterwood Teleport, which speeds up herb runs. Use boosts like the Botanical Pie (+4 Farming) to access higher-level herb seeds early.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
While Herblore can be profitable, there are pitfalls that can eat into your margins. Here’s how to avoid them.
Overpaying for Materials
Always compare prices on the GE before buying. Avoid purchasing during price spikes, and use price-tracking tools to identify trends. For example, buying Ranarr Weeds at 8,000 GP instead of 6,500 GP can halve your profits.
Ignoring Market Trends
Potion prices can crash if a new update reduces demand (e.g., a new boss with different mechanics). Stay informed via the OSRS Reddit or OSRS Wiki to anticipate market shifts.
Neglecting Efficiency
Time is money in OSRS. Use bank presets to quickly withdraw herbs and secondaries, and avoid slow methods like manually clicking each herb. Investing in the Herblore Cape (Level 99) allows instant cleaning of grimy herbs, saving time.
By following these strategies, you can turn Herblore into a reliable money-making skill in OSRS. Start with low-level methods like cleaning herbs or making unfinished potions, then scale up to crafting high-demand potions as your Herblore level and capital grow. Monitor the Grand Exchange, optimize your efficiency, and avoid common mistakes to maximize your profits. With patience and smart planning, your Herblore endeavors can fill your coin pouch in no time!