1-99 Herblore Training Guide
Complete guide to training Herblore from 1-99 in OSRS. Learn the most profitable potion methods, cost-efficient training paths, herb cleaning for profit, and essential potions for PvM. Train Herblore while making money!
Making potions
Prayer Potions (90+)
Prayer Potions method
Bankstanding skill
✓ Essential for PvM: Super Combat Potions, Antidotes, Prayer Potions, Stamina Potions, Saradomin Brews required for all high-level bosses
✓ Quest Requirements: Many important quests require 38-48 Herblore (Desert Treasure, Legends Quest, Dream Mentor)
✓ Profitable Training: Some methods like Prayer Potions and Stamina Potions break even or make small profit
✓ Diary Requirements: Western Provinces Hard (81), Karamja Elite (90), Desert Elite (84)
✓ Self-Sufficiency: Make your own potions for Slayer, PvM, and Skilling instead of buying them
Standard training method. Clean Ranarr Weeds + Snape Grass → Prayer Potion (3). Relatively cheap (3-5 GP/XP), good XP rates, and potions are always in demand. Sometimes breaks even or makes small profit.
Combine Super Attack, Super Strength, Super Defence with Torstol → Super Combat (4). Very fast XP but expensive. Used for endgame PvM so potions sell easily.
Super Energy (4) + Amylase Crystal → Stamina Potion (4). Can be slightly profitable or break-even depending on prices. High demand potion used everywhere in OSRS.
Clean grimy herbs for 2.5 XP per herb. Very slow XP but makes 1-3M GP profit per 100k XP. Good for ironmen or players wanting to fund other skills.
Clean grimy herbs for 2.5 XP each. Profit margin varies by herb: Ranarr Weeds (50-150 GP profit each), Snapdragon (100-200 GP), Torstol (150-300 GP). Buy grimy herbs from GE, clean them, sell back cleaned. Very slow XP (50-80k/hr) but consistent profit.
Make Super Energy Potions, then add Amylase Crystals. Often breaks even or makes small profit (1-3 GP/XP). 300-400k XP/hr. High demand = easy to sell. Check GE prices daily as margins fluctuate.
Sometimes profitable during certain market conditions. Usually costs 3-5 GP/XP but can break even or make 1-2 GP/XP profit. Monitor GE prices of Ranarr Weeds, Snape Grass, and Prayer Potions (3) before bulk buying.
One Small Favour quest required. Harralander + Guam Leaf + Marrentill → Guthix Rest (4). Profitable for ironmen with herb supplies. Heals 5 HP and restores run energy. Niche but useful.
Complete Guide to OSRS Herblore Training
Why Herblore Matters
Herblore is one of the most essential skills for end-game OSRS content, directly impacting your effectiveness in PvM, Slayer, and PvP. At 77 Herblore, you unlock Stamina Potions, which reduce run energy drain by 70% for 2 minutes - absolutely essential for every activity in the game from Runecrafting to bossing. At 81 Herblore, Saradomin Brews become available, providing massive healing for raids and high-level bosses. At 90 Herblore, Super Combat Potions combine three stat boosts into one inventory slot, a game-changer for efficiency.
Beyond the immediate combat benefits, Herblore is required for numerous quests and achievement diaries. Desert Treasure needs 10 Herblore (easily boostable), but more importantly, Western Provinces Hard Diary requires 81 Herblore and unlocks the elite void knight equipment. Many players find that their Herblore level becomes a bottleneck for progression, particularly when attempting Chambers of Xeric or Theatre of Blood where Stamina Potions and Saradomin Brews are essentially mandatory.
The Standard Training Path: Prayer Potions
Prayer Potions are the go-to training method from level 38 to 99 for good reason. They provide consistent XP rates (250-500k per hour), cost between 3-5 GP per XP depending on market prices, and the finished potions are always in high demand so they sell quickly. The method is straightforward: buy Ranarr Weeds (clean them if buying grimy), buy Snape Grass, combine 14 of each at a bank for 14 Prayer Potions (3), sell the potions, and repeat.
What makes Prayer Potions particularly appealing is the margin flexibility. During certain times of the year (particularly after major updates or events), the profit margin on Prayer Potions can actually be positive, meaning you train Herblore while making money. Even in worst-case scenarios, you're only paying 4-5 GP per XP, which is very reasonable for a buyable skill. The total cost from 38-99 Herblore using Prayer Potions typically runs 30-50M GP, which is affordable for mid-game players.
Fast Method: Super Combat Potions
At level 90 Herblore, Super Combat Potions become available and represent the fastest XP in the game at 450-550k XP per hour. The method requires pre-making Super Attack, Super Strength, and Super Defence potions (or buying them from the GE), then combining one of each with a Torstol to create a Super Combat (4). Each potion gives 150 XP, compared to 87.5 XP from Prayer Potions.
The downside is cost: Super Combats typically run 7-10 GP per XP, nearly double the cost of Prayer Potions. However, for players who value time over gold, this method can cut your training time in half. From 90-99 Herblore using Super Combats costs approximately 10-15M GP and takes only 15-20 hours. Many players use Prayer Potions to 90, then switch to Super Combats for the final push to 99.
Profitable Training: Herb Cleaning
For players who prefer to make money while training (or ironmen who grow their own herbs), herb cleaning is a viable alternative. Clean grimy herbs for 2.5 XP each, with profit margins ranging from 50 GP (Ranarr Weeds) to 300 GP (Torstol) per herb depending on market conditions. The XP rates are very slow at 50-80k per hour, but you'll make 50-100M profit reaching 99 Herblore this way.
The strategy for profitable Herblore is to mix herb cleaning with potion making. Clean Ranarr Weeds during low-focus activities (watching TV, in meetings, etc.) for profit, then make Prayer Potions during active play sessions for faster XP. This hybrid approach lets you fund your own training without spending any net GP. It's significantly slower than pure potion making but perfect for budget-conscious players.
Stamina Potions: The Sweet Spot
At level 77, Stamina Potions become one of the best training methods in the game. Create Super Energy Potions (Avantoe + Mort Myre Fungus), then add Amylase Crystals to convert them to Stamina Potions. The XP rate is decent at 300-400k per hour, but the key advantage is profit margin. Depending on current GE prices, Stamina Potions often break even or make 1-3 GP per XP profit.
The profitability comes from Amylase Crystal supply dynamics. These crystals come exclusively from Marks of Grace (obtained from rooftop agility courses), creating consistent demand with limited supply. Many players dump their Marks immediately for quick GP, causing Amylase prices to stay low relative to Stamina Potion prices. Smart Herblore trainers can capitalize on this price gap for essentially free XP or even profit.
Essential Herblore Milestones
Several Herblore levels represent critical milestones for account progression. Level 44 unlocks Super Antifire Potions (required for Vorkath and metal dragons). Level 55 unlocks Energy Potions, a prerequisite for Stamina Potions later. Level 70 unlocks Saradomin Brew (unf), which can be finished into Saradomin Brews at 81. Level 77 unlocks Stamina Potions, perhaps the most important milestone for general gameplay. Level 81 unlocks Saradomin Brews, essential for raids. And level 90 unlocks Super Combat Potions for maximum efficiency.
For quest requirements, you'll need 48 Herblore for Legends Quest (often boosted from 45), 31 for The Fremennik Trials, and various lower requirements for progression quests. Many players stop at 77 or 81 for Stamina Potions or Saradomin Brews respectively, as these are the most impactful unlocks. The jump to 90 is primarily for Super Combats and completion purposes rather than unlocking game-changing content.