OSRS Herblore XP and GP Guide: Maximize Experience and Profit in 2025

Herblore in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a skill that blends potion-making mastery with strategic resource management. Whether you’re aiming to hit level 99 or just want to make some gold pieces (GP) along the way, understanding the balance between XP rates and GP costs is key. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the best methods to train Herblore, optimize your XP per hour, and even turn a profit. Updated for 2025, this blog post dives into fast, cheap, and profitable Herblore training strategies to suit every player’s goals.

Herblore isn’t just about mixing potions—it’s a gateway to enhancing your gameplay. From boosting combat stats to surviving tough boss fights, potions like Super Combats and Stamina Potions are invaluable. However, training Herblore can be expensive and time-consuming, making it crucial to plan your approach. This guide will help you decide whether to prioritize XP, minimize costs, or chase profits, all while leveraging the latest in-game updates as of April 9, 2025.

The Benefits of High Herblore Levels

• Combat Edge: Potions like Saradomin Brews and Overloads give you a significant advantage in PvM and PvP.
• Quest Requirements: Quests like Song of the Elves (level 70) demand decent Herblore levels.
• Profit Potential: Certain methods can net you millions of GP while training.

Starting Out: Unlocking Herblore

To begin training, complete the Druidic Ritual quest, which grants level 3 Herblore. From there, you can start making potions with basic ingredients like Guam leaves and vials of water. Early levels are a grind, but quests like Jungle Potion and Recruitment Drive can boost you to level 19 quickly.

Fastest Herblore XP Methods

If speed is your priority, these methods will get you to 99 Herblore in the shortest time. Be prepared to invest heavily in GP, as the fastest routes often come with a high cost per XP.

Level 3-38: Attack and Strength Potions

Start with Attack Potions (Guam leaf + Eye of newt) for 25 XP each, then switch to Strength Potions (Tarromin + Limpwurt root) at level 12 for 50 XP each. You can make around 58,000 XP per hour, but expect to lose GP as these potions rarely sell for profit.

Level 38-90: Prayer Potions and Super Energies

At level 38, Prayer Potions (Ranarr weed + Snape grass) offer 87.5 XP each and decent XP rates (up to 200,000 XP/hour). At level 52, Super Energy Potions (Avantoe + Mort myre fungus) provide 117.5 XP each. These are staples for mid-tier training, balancing cost and speed.

Level 90-99: Super Combat Potions

Super Combat Potions (Super Attack, Super Strength, Super Defence + Torstol) at level 90 deliver 150 XP each and up to 320,000 XP/hour. They’re costly—expect to spend over 200M GP to reach 99—but the high XP rates make them a favorite for speedrunners.

Cheapest Herblore XP Methods

Not everyone has millions of GP to burn. These budget-friendly methods keep costs low while still progressing your Herblore skill.

Level 3-60: Cleaning Herbs

Cleaning grimy herbs is slow but profitable. With the auto-clean update, you can clean 3,000 herbs per hour (up to 10,000 manually). For example:

• Guam (Level 3): 2.5 XP, ~8 GP profit per herb.
• Ranarr (Level 25): 7.5 XP, ~200 GP profit per hour at scale.

This method caps out around 88,000 XP/hour but can net you 500,000 GP/hour with high-level herbs like Torstol.

Level 60-99: Mastering Mixology Minigame

Introduced in Varlamore, Mastering Mixology (level 60+) offers up to 80,000 XP/hour and can be profitable (up to 2.6M GP/hour). It’s less click-intensive than potion-making and ideal for budget-conscious players with access to Varlamore content.

Swamp Tar Alternative

Making tar (e.g., Harralander Tar at level 44) gives 72.5 XP per action and costs around 3-7 GP/XP. It’s a slow grind (up to 145,000 XP/hour), but stockpiling swamp tar can keep expenses minimal.

Profitable Herblore Training Methods

Why lose GP when you can make it? These methods combine XP gains with profit, perfect for players looking to fund other skills.

Level 18-38: Guthix Rest

Guthix Rest (level 18) requires Guam, Marrentill, and Harralander in hot water, yielding 59 XP per tea and up to 50,000 XP/hour. With focus, you can brew 800 teas per hour, earning around 500,000 GP/hour—great for early levels.

Level 63-99: Unfinished Potions

Making unfinished potions (e.g., Snapdragon at level 63) doesn’t grant XP but can yield 700,000 GP/hour. Pair this with selling completed potions like Super Restores for a hybrid profit/XP strategy.

Level 81+: Divine Super Combat Potions

Using Crystal Shards from Song of the Elves activities, Divine Super Combat Potions offer small XP gains and high profits (12,000 GP per shard). This is niche but lucrative for endgame players.

Method	Level	XP/Hour	GP/XP	Profit/Hour
Cleaning Ranarr	25	75,000	3.30	200,000
Guthix Rest	18	50,000	-12	500,000
Super Combat	90	320,000	-15	-4,800,000

Tips for Optimizing Herblore XP and GP

Maximize your efficiency with these pro tips, whether you’re chasing XP, saving GP, or banking profits.

Use the Amulet of Chemistry

For potions worth more than the amulet’s cost (5 doses), the Amulet of Chemistry gives a 5% chance to create an extra dose, saving millions over time. It’s a must for expensive methods like Super Combats.

Leverage Portable Wells

On worlds like 84, portable wells boost XP by 10% and offer a chance at extra potions. Combine with pulse cores for an additional 10% XP—ideal for group training sessions.

Ironman Considerations

For Ironmen, herb runs are your lifeline. Start farming early (Guam at level 9 Farming) and use secondaries like Snape grass from Waterbirth Island. Quests and minigames like Mastering Mixology can supplement your supplies.

Banking Efficiency

Set your bank withdrawal to 14 (for 14×14 potion inventories) and use keybinds (e.g., Escape to close interfaces) to hit 2,400-2,500 potions per hour. Every second counts!

Herblore in OSRS is a skill of trade-offs: speed costs GP, while profit sacrifices XP rates. Whether you’re blitzing to 99 with Super Combats, cleaning herbs for profit, or brewing Guthix Rest for a steady income, there’s a method for every playstyle. As of April 9, 2025, prices fluctuate, so check the Grand Exchange regularly and adapt your strategy. With this guide, you’re equipped to master Herblore—happy mixing!