Since when were we comparing smithing to herbalism? I spent a couple of thousand on potion bottles (They charge me 6 per bottle, because I'm rude!) and gave all of the products away.
Because for an economy to function it has to balance and right now in comparison to the other "crafts" Herbalism is out of Whack.
1. 90% of the people in it, Just Jumped into it for the OOC benifits and to hand stuff out to their friends. That's not a Trade.
2. There is no NPC merchant resale mark up on the components, therefore no matter what you want to sell (mobat camped bleak cap), someone appraises it for 1-3, and won't squeek off of 1. YET, when they make the potion, they want the 1800 gp, for the 5 gp investment. That's a bit of a markup, and I didn't see PRADA stamped on the side of the bottle anywhere.
4. More to follow in a hurry.
5. STILL NO POTIONS TO BUY (but apparently, a million folks getting handed herbs for free, so they can make piles of potions to hand back for free).
6. You can power sell Potions.
7. I still plan on supporting the Herb guys, just the ones that actually seem to have a reason to be doing it beyond, My Stats, or my Buffs, Make this easy.
Also, I'd say, put the NPC static healing potions and stuff back in game, adjust their pricing, and use those as a baseline comparison for a REAL market.
~Rex