Invasive plants are Earth's way of insisting we notice her medicines. Stephen Herrod Buhner
Everyone learns what works by learning what doesn't work. Stephen Herrod Buhner
Colin McGee wrote:I'd suggest drying them, tincturing them, or freezing them, depending on what plants they are, which parts you've harvested, and what you intend to do with them.
Anne Miller wrote:Wellnessmama have several articles on natural remedies such as storing bulk,making tinctures and salves:
http://wellnessmama.com/category/remedies/
Colin McGee wrote:One very easy (although slightly time-consuming) way to dry them is to harvest the parts you want, put those in (labelled!) brown paper bags, and leave them in your car. It works!
"We're all just walking each other home." -Ram Dass
"Be a lamp, or a lifeboat, or a ladder."-Rumi
Judith Browning wrote:I've read that slow drying for herbs is just fine and better for the medicinal properties. I think the trick is to have them in a fairly dust free environment, in the dark or close to it but at least good shade, and small enough bundles or laid flat on a cloth or screen so that there is no chance of mildew or mold...check on them and turn often in the beginning. ...For most herbs, whatever the drying process, the herb should retain a nice healthy color similar to it's original.
Invasive plants are Earth's way of insisting we notice her medicines. Stephen Herrod Buhner
Everyone learns what works by learning what doesn't work. Stephen Herrod Buhner
Judith Browning wrote:good luck...you're off to a great start!
Anne Miller wrote:This is good information. Also another reason for using bags is that you might lose some of your herb when it dries. A dried leaf is very fragile and easily broken. Also having the bags labeled keeps you from forgetting what the herb is. Looks like you are off to a great start!
Liz
Liz Hoxie wrote:Keep the leaves whole until use,they don't lose quality as fast.
Liz
Liz Hoxie wrote:Have you tried tincturing with fresh herbs yet? ...but use p.g.a. for fresh. Since that means registering, I use 151 proof and pray it doesn't mold.
Liz
May You Walk in Beauty,
Sharol Tilgner ND
Sharol's books available at website
http://www.youarethehealer.org
https://www.facebook.com/youarethehealer.org/
May You Walk in Beauty,
Sharol Tilgner ND
Sharol's books available at website
http://www.youarethehealer.org
https://www.facebook.com/youarethehealer.org/
Liz Hoxie wrote:Pure Grain Alcohol. I think it's 192 proof.
Sharol Tilgner wrote:I have written up details on drying and storing herbs: Making herbal tinctures: http://dreamingabeautifulworld.blogspot.com/2011/12/making-herbal-tinctures.html
The blog these all came from also have many more details on making herbal products and using them free for the reading.
Liz
Liz Hoxie wrote:How do ppl make essential oils using a slow cooker?
Tracy Wandling wrote:Using a crock pot is a great idea for infused oils! And it will make the house smell so nice while they're being made.
But that won't get you 'essential oils'. You are just infusing the herb oils into a carrier oil. Essential oils are the pure oils of the plants, with no other oils mixed in. You get that by distilling them.
But infused oils are very handy for many things, and are much easier to make. I will be getting a distiller set up, hopefully in the fall, so I'll be sure to post my progress with that. In the meantime, I think I'll pull out the crock pot and make some infused oils. Super idea.
You ought to ventilate your mind and let the cobwebs out of it. Use this cup to catch the tiny ads:
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