Vacuum jar sealing

[AnnettStudent]

Does anyone know if it is helpful to vacuum seal dry herbs in mason jars? Is it worth it? I’m wondering if it can prolong the life of the herbs or maybe keeps them potent.

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

I think it does but have no proof.

Less moisture, oxygen, light and heat are all good things.

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[AnnettStudentTopic Author]

Thanks!

[Granny.BStudent]

Did you see this?

Re: Herb Storage

Unread post Thu Sep 13, 2018 1:25 pm

laughingfrog

Posts: 13

I store all my herbs in glass mason jars with the oxygen removed. I use a vacuum sealer to remove the oxygen from the jar and seal the lid tight. Food saver sells both regular and small jar lid size gadget for sealing. It can be opened and resealed. It does take up a lot of room to have so many jars, but it keeps herbs and dry foods fresh for years. I put them all in the root/wine cellar.

I have opened up jars that were sealed 10 years ago and they taste exactly like the day they were sealed.

1 user thanked author for this post.

Marshell Martin

[KelleyStudent]

Ditto to what Granny B. said. I do exactly the same thing, and I have for nearly a dozen years. I always have to recheck the date when I am shocked it says 2008 and tastes just like this year’s harvest.

[AnnettStudentTopic Author]

Thanks. I missed that. Sorry for the repeat!

🙂

[RebeccaCashman]

What about freeze drying herbs? And using oxygen absorbers?

I am just getting started with the Herbal Medicine Making Series section of the modules and learned that drying out in the sunshine was a big no no. That is how I have always done my herbs before!! Yikes! But I wonder if freeze drying them would be a good way to keep them fresh without having to dry them, as freeze drying is known to keep all the nutritional properties of the food for years to come.

Also, I want to know a bit further in depth why sun drying isn’t good at all. I thought the sun had a gazillion life promoting benefits? Thanks!

1 user thanked author for this post.

Marshell Martin

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

RebeccaCashman wrote: What about freeze drying herbs? And using oxygen absorbers?

I am just getting started with the Herbal Medicine Making Series section of the modules and learned that drying out in the sunshine was a big no no. That is how I have always done my herbs before!! Yikes! But I wonder if freeze drying them would be a good way to keep them fresh without having to dry them, as freeze drying is known to keep all the nutritional properties of the food for years to come.

Also, I want to know a bit further in depth why sun drying isn’t good at all. I thought the sun had a gazillion life promoting benefits? Thanks!

The sun bleaches and destroys many of the important phytochemical in herbs. Not good.

Freeze drying is amazing if you can do it.

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

2 users thanked author for this post.

Rebecca Boone, Marshell Martin

[IdahoHerbalist]

The UV absolutely destroys the value of the material.

[Author]

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