Actually I didn't use a herbalist at all even though I have one built I didn't have a worker in the building and I had one before and it really didn't do much.
Adding the honey worked great though, they slowly went back up to full health after a few seasons of the honey being introduced. Not sure what's in that honey but it must be amazing. Only other food items I had where from the gatherer, and I fished for a moment but I don't think the fish had anything to do with it. I really just had food coming from gatherer and the beehive and went up to max with just those 2 sources when previously I had the gatherer, the fish and vension and they were just staying at 0 health...gotta be the honey. lol