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.