If you’re living a more holistic lifestyle, chances are you have stores of natural remedies and health supporters like honey, essential oils, and herbs on hand. These, and more, are all great ways to support the immune system and treat everyday health issues in a gentler way. In order to preserve items like organic herbs, it’s important that we know the best ways to store and maintain them. This post outlines how to store herbs of all kinds so that they last longer and safeguard there effectivity.
“Herbs are plants with medicinal properties. As soon as the plant is harvested it starts to die and so does everything in it. Luckily there are ways to preserve the plant so that it can be stored and used later. However, you have to store the preserved plant materials so that there’s no further loss of nutrition so that when you go to use them, there’s as much nutrition available to you as possible.
How To Store Herbs
The number one rule to storing herbs in a way that preserves as much of their medicinal properties as possible is to store them in a cool, dark, dry place.
Moisture will cause herbs to mold, and light and heat will further diminish the health benefits they have.
FRESH HERBS
When not using fresh herbs immediately (whether in foods or in herbal preparations) they can be stored for a short time in the refrigerator. Flowers and tops will last 2-3 days, while bark and roots will stay good for 2-3 weeks. Be sure to store fresh herbs in labeled bags or jars and use them quickly.
DRIED HERBS
Dried herbs can last anywhere from 2-4 years if stored properly depending upon the type of herb.
First of all, if you’re drying herbs yourself, make sure they are completely dry or they will mold in storage and be ruined. Store herbs in air tight glass jars or plastic bags in a cool, dark, and dry spot.
Delicate herbs such as flowers or leaves won’t last as long as seeds or roots will. Herbs high in volatile oils, like peppermint and chamomile, will loose their freshness sooner than herbs without oils like oatstraw or plantain.”
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