Tinctures

A liquid extract from a plant is commonly known as a tincture, however to use the dried herbs it is best to create a tincture from alcohol and the herbs. The alcohol helps with dissolving the plant parts and it is a perservative, so the tincture can be kept for up to five years.

The end result of the tincture should be made up of at least 20% alcohol. Vodka is generally used to create a tincture, due to the fact that there is not a taste with it. Other alcohols include whisky, brandy or rum. Wine can be used but will not work as well. The alcohol helps the herbs to quickly enter the bloodstream whie it offers a warmth.

To create a tincture, a glass jar needs to be filled with the desired herb and then filled with the alcohol. Another method is to place the items in a blender before placing in a glass jar. After bottling the tincture, place the bottle in a dark, cool place for one day to one month. After this time, strain the tincture and place it in a bottle.

This mixture can be stored very easily in a cool place.

Storing Dried Herbs

Storing Dried Herbs

Now that we have successfully, hopefully, dried all of our herbs, it is time to think of how to store them. It is important to use containers that will shield the herbs from the sunlight, as this will tend to dry them to the point of not being able to be used.

So the best type of containers is dark, glass jars or paper bags. Before placing them in the container, remove any large stems and keep the remaining flowers and leaves whole, if possible. There are some herbs that naturally have large leaves and flowers. These can be crumbled so they take up less space. By breaking them down they are more easily measured when it is time to use them.

When looking for containers, if using clear glass containers, keep the container in the dark so the leaves and flowers do not fade as quickly.

Once stored in a cool, dry place, most herbs can be stored for a year. However, if a new harvest comes along, feel free to replace them when you can. 

Drying Herbs

After the herbs have been harvested, either in the backyard or along roadways or wherever, they need to be prepared to be used. One of the easiest way to save these plants is to dry them. After drying, the plant parts can then be used in teas, tinctures, infused oils and so on.

Air Drying

One of the easiest ways to dry herbs is just to bundle a few together and tie with string or a rubber band. Then to hang them in a dry area. This could be in a laundry room, or from rafters. If hanging is not an option, they can be laid on a drying screen or on a piece of brown paper.

A drying screen can be easily made by stretching an open-weave fabric to a frame. Drying frames work well because the air is allowed to circulate around the entire plant without having small pieces becoming lost.

If neither of these appeal to the user they can place the bundle in a paper bag with the stems facing upwards. The end of the bag should be closed and then a few holes should be placed in the bag to allow for air circulation.

No matter which way they are dried, they can be ready to be used in as little as a week.

Oven Drying
Oven Drying is an alternative way to dry herbs. To do this the material should be placed, shallowly, on a cookie sheet. Then place these herbs in an open oven at 180 degrees Fahrenheit for about two to four hours. When the leaves crumble easily they are ready. This method can take away some of the flavor and potency of the herb. So when using the herbs, a little more may need to be used.