Learn how to store herbs safely to keep air out and freshness in.
By The Mother Earth Living staff
November/December 2003
The Herb Channeler gets in gear to preserve the herbal harvest for the fall and winter months. Get i...
Learn how to store herbs safely to keep air out and freshness in. You must store herbs safely because they are organic materials vulnerable to the elements, even when they come in capsules or tablets. Exposure to light, heat or oxygen can reduce an herb’s potency, so it’s generally recommended that you store your herbs in a cool, dark place such as a pantry or cellar.
Some of the best herb protectors are colored glass bottles, particularly amber or cobalt-blue ones. Many commercial products are packaged in these and other materials to block out direct light, which causes oxidation and reduces effectiveness.
If you buy bulk herbs, make sure your supplier stores the products as carefully as you would at home. Andrew Chevallier, author of The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants (DK, 1996), recommends that you:
• Avoid herbs stored in clear containers.
• Smell the herbs. Good-quality herbs should have a distinct scent and taste.
• Check for signs of adulteration (dried grass or other non-medicinal materials mixed with the herbs). Also, check for mold.
• Herbs lose their color as they age, so look for bright material.
• Smell the herbs. Good-quality herbs should have a distinct scent and taste.
• Check for signs of adulteration (dried grass or other non-medicinal materials mixed with the herbs). Also, check for mold.
• Herbs lose their color as they age, so look for bright material.
If you’re storing bulk material, fill your containers as full as possible and move the herbs to smaller containers as you use them to minimize contact with air.
Read more about the health benefits of herbs: How Herbs Improve Your Health.
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