OSRS Herblore 1-99 Guide: Fastest and Cheapest Methods for 2025

OSRS Herblore 1-99 Guide: Fastest and Cheapest Methods for 2025


Welcome to the ultimate guide for training Herblore from level 1 to 99 in Old School RuneScape (OSRS)! Whether you’re a new player or a seasoned adventurer looking to max out this skill, this blog post will walk you through the fastest, cheapest, and most efficient methods to reach that coveted 99 Herblore cape. Herblore is a members-only skill that lets you craft powerful potions to boost stats, heal, or tackle tough challenges. However, it’s also known for being expensive and time-consuming—unless you know the right strategies. Let’s dive into everything you need to know to master Herblore in OSRS in 2025!

Herblore isn’t just about grinding levels—it’s a gateway to enhancing your gameplay. From boosting combat stats for PvM (Player vs. Monster) to creating utility potions for skilling, Herblore offers tangible benefits. Plus, high-level potions like Saradomin Brews and Super Combats are in constant demand, making it a potentially profitable skill if you play it smart. For Ironmen, it’s a must-have for self-sufficiency, while regular accounts can leverage the Grand Exchange to speed things up. Ready to get started? Let’s break it down.

Key Benefits of Leveling Herblore

  • Combat Boosts: Potions like Super Attacks and Overloads give you an edge in boss fights.
  • Quest Requirements: Level 70 Herblore is needed for the Quest Cape, and 90 for the Achievement Diary Cape.
  • Profit Potential: Some potions sell for a decent margin on the GE.
  • Ironman Utility: Craft your own supplies without relying on trades.

Getting Started: Unlocking Herblore

Complete 1 99 OSRS Herblore Guide FASTCHEAP OSRS Guide

Before you can mix your first potion, you’ll need to unlock the Herblore skill by completing the Druidic Ritual quest. This short quest, accessible to all members, requires no prior skills and rewards you with 250 Herblore XP, boosting you straight to level 3. You’ll need raw beef, raw rat meat, raw bear meat, and raw chicken—easy drops from low-level monsters. Bring some food if you’re a low combat level, as the Taverley Dungeon can be a bit spicy. Once completed, you’re ready to start training!

Early Questing for Bonus XP

To skip the tedious early levels, consider knocking out a few additional quests that reward Herblore XP:

Completing these can get you to level 19 quickly, saving time and resources.

Fastest Herblore Training Methods (Level 1-99)

If speed is your priority, this section outlines the quickest path to 99 Herblore. These methods rely on making potions, which offer the highest XP rates but come with a hefty price tag. You’ll need to bank efficiently and use the Grand Exchange to stock up on supplies. Here’s the breakdown:

Levels 3-26: Attack Potions

Potion: Attack Potions
Ingredients: Guam Leaf (unf) + Eye of Newt
XP per Potion: 25
Total Potions Needed: 309
Cost: ~100K GP

Start with Attack Potions—they’re cheap and easy. Guam Leaves and Eyes of Newt are readily available on the GE, and the XP racks up fast for early levels. Expect around 60,000 XP/hour.

Levels 26-38: Energy Potions

Potion: Energy Potions
Ingredients: Harralander (unf) + Chocolate Dust
XP per Potion: 67.5
Total Potions Needed: 322
Cost: ~200K GP

Energy Potions are a solid mid-tier option. Chocolate Dust comes from grinding chocolate bars with a pestle and mortar, but you can buy it pre-made on the GE. You’ll hit around 160,000 XP/hour here.

Levels 38-63: Prayer Potions

Potion: Prayer Potions
Ingredients: Ranarr Weed (unf) + Snape Grass
XP per Potion: 87.5
Total Potions Needed: 1,800
Cost: ~3M GP

Prayer Potions are a staple for PvM, so they’re in high demand. Ranarr Weeds are pricier, but selling the potions offsets some costs. Aim for 210,000 XP/hour with quick banking.

Levels 63-81: Super Restores

Potion: Super Restores
Ingredients: Snapdragon (unf) + Red Spiders’ Eggs
XP per Potion: 142.5
Total Potions Needed: 4,500
Cost: ~10M GP

Super Restores offer excellent XP and are useful in raids. Snapdragons are costly, but the potions sell well. Expect 350,000 XP/hour at peak efficiency.

Levels 81-99: Saradomin Brews

Potion: Saradomin Brews
Ingredients: Toadflax (unf) + Crushed Bird Nests
XP per Potion: 180
Total Potions Needed: 60,232
Cost: ~110M GP

The final stretch! Saradomin Brews are the fastest way to 99, offering up to 450,000 XP/hour. Toadflax and Crushed Nests are expensive, but the potions are a hot commodity on the GE. This method takes about 35 hours total from level 3 if you power through.

Cheapest Herblore Training Methods

Not everyone has millions of GP to burn, so here’s a budget-friendly path to 99 Herblore. These methods sacrifice speed for affordability, often breaking even or turning a small profit.

Levels 3-38: Cleaning Herbs

Method: Clean Grimy Herbs (Guam, Marrentill, Tarromin, Harralander)
XP per Herb: 2.5-6.3
Total XP Needed: ~13,000
Cost: Profit of ~1-2M GP

Cleaning herbs is slow but profitable. Buy grimy herbs cheap, clean them, and sell the clean versions for a markup. Guam and Harralander are good picks. You’ll get 50,000-80,000 XP/hour if you click fast.

Levels 38-60: Prayer Potions (Budget Option)

Potion: Prayer Potions
Ingredients: Ranarr Weed (unf) + Snape Grass
XP per Potion: 87.5
Total Potions Needed: 1,200
Cost: ~2M GP (or less if you gather Snape Grass)

Stick with Prayer Potions here—they’re cheaper than Super Restores and still sell well. Gather Snape Grass from Waterbirth Island to cut costs further.

Levels 60-99: Mastering Mixology Minigame

Method: Mastering Mixology (Aldarin, Varlamore)
Requirements: Level 60 Herblore, Children of the Sun quest
XP per Hour: Up to 105,000 (at 81+ Herblore)
Cost: Minimal (uses random herbs)

Unlocked at level 60, this minigame in Varlamore is a game-changer for budget players. It doesn’t require specific herbs or secondaries, and you can earn utility items like the Alchemist’s Amulet. It’s slower than potion-making but dirt cheap.

Tips and Tricks for Efficient Herblore Training

Maximize your Herblore grind with these pro tips tailored for 2025 gameplay:

Useful Items to Boost Efficiency

  • Amulet of Chemistry: 5% chance for an extra potion dose (5 charges).
  • Botanical Pie: Temporarily boosts Herblore by 4 levels—great for early unlocks.
  • Portable Well: 10% chance for extra potions and 10% XP boost (use on World 84).

Ironman Strategies

For Ironmen, gathering resources is key:

  • Herb Runs: Farm Guam, Ranarr, and Toadflax regularly.
  • Birdhouse Runs: Get nests for Saradomin Brews.
  • Slayer Drops: Nechryaels and Aberrant Spectres drop herbs and seeds.

Cost-Saving Hacks

Method Saving Tip Estimated Savings
Potion Making Decant to 4-dose at GE NPC 5-10% profit boost
Herb Cleaning Buy grimy, sell clean 1-2M GP profit
Mastering Mixology Use excess herb drops Near-zero cost

Final Thoughts

Training Herblore from 1 to 99 in OSRS is a journey of trade-offs—speed vs. cost, effort vs. reward. The fastest path (Saradomin Brews) will set you back over 110M GP but takes just 35 hours, while the cheapest route (herb cleaning and Mixology) can even net you profit at the cost of time. Whichever path you choose, plan ahead, stock up on supplies, and enjoy the process. With this guide, you’re well-equipped to conquer Herblore in 2025. Happy mixing!