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Kathaleen
What is the best way, if there is one, to dry herbs? I have a solar oven, a dehydrator and the ability to hang herbs. I live in the high desert.
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Jacqueline Hicks
So far I have hung all of my herbs (goldenrod, catnip, sage, peppermint, etc,) with luck. However, I harvested a bunch of cayenne and paprika peppers from my garden and used the dehydrator to speed up that process. For me, it sort of just depends on what exactly needs drying and probably what mood I am in. Haha!
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Dr. Patrick Jones
I dry everything on wire shelves with screen door fabric on them to keep stuff from falling through. I do everything indoors with no heat. Just fans.
There is a lesson in the Herbal Gardening Section on Harvesting, Drying and Processing HerbsDon't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.
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Jill Overstreet
I live in South Carolina foothills and a lot of the year it can be very humid. If i’m having trouble getting things completely dried out, would using the dehydrator on its lowest temp setting be okay?
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Yup. That works.
Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.
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Lisa Duff
I have some fresh marshmallow leaves (4 plants) that I need to preserve/tincture. What would be best…. 1) cut up the fresh leaves and cover them with vodka? 2) Dry the leaves, grind, then cover with vodka? Or do both? I’ll have enough to just dry and keep as well. But for the tincture part….would fresh or dry work better? Thank you!!!
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I dry stuff before I tincture it for the most part. Some fresh herbs contain enough water to dilute the booze too much to be preservative.
Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.
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vcooper52
I just watched a youtube video where an herbalist dried goldenrod in a freeze dryer. They’re expensive, but you may be able to access one via a University AG center, or an extension center. They said freeze drying preserves all of the medicinal/nutritional content of the plant.
Victoria Cooper
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Freeze drying is great. Just make sure to set it so that the temperature never exceeds 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the cycle.
Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.
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Marjorie
would freeze drying herbs hello them last longer than just drying them?
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Probably. I should look and see if any actual studies have been done.
Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.
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Terri Mueller
I might be dating myself here (lol), but many years ago when my oven had a pilot light, I would put the herbs on a tray in there and they were dry the next day.
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eturnbow
The best way to dry herbs could be in a freeze dryer, however considering your three options, I would consider hanging them in a covered porch area or breezeway where the sun does not shine on them so the constituents within the herbs are kept while at the same time the breeze can blow through the herbs and dry them gently. A dehydrator on a low setting could work as well. I would stay away from the sun oven. Best wishes!
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