Dehydrating Herbs for Future Use
Really only just getting started and I have a lot of herbs dried up for 2017. I actually still have a good number of jars of herbs left from 2016 but I LOVE being ahead! Some jars are full and ready for storage while others I need to finish topping off. Once I have the jars packed full of the appropriate herb, I then use a brake bleeder and food saver jar sealer attachments, vacuum seal them and put them up.
Though there are many different herbs represented here, I still have many more to start on such as calendula, feverfew, kale, grape leaves, raspberry leaves, nasturtium leaves and flowers, lavender flowers, echinacea, rose petals, and more.
Shown here I have:
Dandelion flowers, dandelion leaves, pansy flowers, plantain leaves, borage leaves, oregano, sage, peppermint, golden oregano, strawberry leaves, catnip, stinging nettle, lemon balm, lavender leaves, and marshmallow leaves.
One jar I forgot to grab for this photo was my Dandelion root.
I use my herbs for homemade teas and medicinal tinctures, or for adding to the meals I make for flavor and health benefits. Some herbs I add to homemade skin and hair products including soaps, shampoos, skin cream and clay masks. I also use the fresh herbs for making homemade vinegars. This year I plan to try my hand at some new herb blends for cooking vinegars while the floral ones I reserve for my hair wash/rinse.
Gotta' love those herbs! <3
Echinacea Tincture:
Rose Lavender Vinegar:
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I made my first vinegar last month using your recipe. I used chamomile and calendula. It smells a little like vinegar and alot like sweet tea. Thank you! Love and prayers❤
That sounds like a wonderful combination Tee! I am planning on trying more herbal blends soon myself! :D
How do you dehydrate those herbs?
I use my Nesco/Open Country Dehydrator: http://amzn.to/2or8Mc0, plugged into our solar power. It runs nearly every day from spring to fall. I would air dry if it were not for the humidity here and the large quantity of herbs (fruits and veggies too) that I dehydrate this time of year.
Alright good to know.