~HERBAL HOW TO...~
Well, I have told you when to gather your herbs, and what they are good for...now I guess, it is time to tell you how to go about preparing them for use. (What more work!) Yep...herbs can be used differently...fresh, dried, internally and externally. So for each use, I will tell you how to prepare your herbs...really, it's not that much work! :)
How to collect Fresh Herbs
On an earlier page, I have listed several herbs, and when the peek gathering times are, but there are a few tips that should be mentioned first.
- In most cases the level of active constituents is highest at the end of the period of most active growth...therefore the plants should be gathered just before opening into blossom.
- A day without rain which has been sunny since daybreak is ideal for collecting.
- Leaves should be dry before being bunched together, otherwise moisture gets trapped and can cause molding.
- Too much heat dries up the oil in the leaves.
- Only the best shaped, greenest leaves should be gathered, and any that are withered, insect-bitten or stained should be discarded.
- Leaves and herbs should be cut with a shrp knife, for pulling them off by hand may easily damage the tender tems of plants, causing delay in new growth or allow the entry of fungus or insects into the damaged tissue.
How to Dry Herbs
Time for drying depends on the herb and the environment, so check the herbs often and turn them as needed for even drying.
- To dry leaves, stems and aerial parts, seperate the parts into individual piles.
- Spread out separtely on a wire cooling rack and leave to dry in the sun or a warm place until they are brittle.
- To dry roots, first unearth them gently.
- Wash the root to remove all remaining dirt.
- Scrub with a nail brush if necessary.
- Cut off tops and trim away rootlets.
- When drying larger roots, it is best to cut into strips about 2 inches long, depending on the root.
- Spread the strips out on a drying rack and leave in a warm place for 10 days, turning daily.
- Store above a stove for 10 more days.
How to Store your Herbs
As soon as the herb is dried, whether it is the root, leaves or aerial parts, it should be placed into a dry container. The dried herb should be handled carefully, as it may be easily broken. Any herb whick contains volatile oils should not be stored in ordinary plastic boxes or sacks, for these materials absorb the oils from the plant whickh then evaporate from the external surface. Glazed ceramic, dark glass or metal containers with tight-fitting lids are best for storage, away from direct sunlight or heat.
How to make Herbal Preparations
For this next section, I have decided to make two seperate links...as each of these topics (interanal and external) have so many different ways of preparation. Follow the links below for more interesting information!
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