Welcome back to the Herbal Remedies Series! Today we will be taking a quick look at how to harvest and dry herbs. Once your homestead herbs are thriving, the next step is to harvest and dry them for use in your herbal remedies (medical disclaimer). Here’s how:
1. Harvesting Herbs for Herbal Remedies
- When?: The best time to harvest homestead herbs is in the morning after the dew has dried but before the sun is too hot. This is when the essential oils in the plants are at their peak.
- How?: Use sharp scissors or pruning shears to cut the stems. Be sure to leave enough growth on the plant so it can continue to thrive.
- What?: Make sure to collect the healthy parts of the herb and discard any yellow, brown, or diseased leaves.
2. Drying Herbs for Herbal Remedies
- Air Drying: The simplest way to dry herbs is to tie them in small bundles. Then hang the bundles upside down in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated area. This method works well for most herbs and it’s FREE.
- Dehydrator: If you have a food dehydrator, you can use it to dry your herbs quickly. Set it to the lowest temperature and check the herbs frequently until they’re dry.
- Oven Drying: In a pinch, you can use your oven to dry herbs. Spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet and set your oven to the lowest possible temperature. Keep the door slightly open and check regularly.
3. Storing Herbs
- Once your herbs are completely dry, store them in airtight containers away from light and moisture.
- Mason jars work well for this. Be sure to label your jars with the herb name and date of harvest.
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