Drying Herbs

Drying herbs/plants/flowers is an excellent way to store and keep them for later usages. There are two ways to dry herbs: air-drying and oven-drying. I choose to air-dry mine; I feel like it's easier and doesn't steal the plants nutrients (i don't know if this is true or not, it's just my personal opinion). 

Starting from the left, I've gathered: chives, parsley, red clover, and red raspberry leaves. The chives and parsley I grew myself, and the clover and leaves I gathered from an orchard. Each of these have their own purpose and unique nutritional value as well. 

Chives are part of the onion family, but unlike it's brothers and sisters, it is absent of the bulb that usually forms. It'll instead form a bright purple flower on top of itself. They're native to Britain, Northern Europe and North America. They're mostly used for culinary purposes, and because they are high in vitamin C, potassium and folic acid, they're a great additive to help restore some of the nutrients lost from cooking. 

They help promote good digestion, ease stomach upset and prevent bad breath.  They have a diuretic effect that will also help lower high blood pressure.

Parsley, a very common herb, is believed to originate in the Mediterranean region or Western Asia. No one is quite sure where it's from. It's extremely common in the culinary world for its mild flavor and an easy way to garnish plates. It's high in vitamin A and C, fiber, potassium, magnesium, calcium, niacin, riboflavin and iron. The leaves contain  protein as well. Parsley is often made into an infusion, tea or combined with other herbs. Because it is a very rich herb, be careful and use it in moderation when using it for medicinal reasons.

Red Clover, a member of the legume family, has been medicinally used for a variety of illnesses and needs: cardiovascular health (such as heart disease), menopause, osteoporosis, cancer and skin ailments. If you are pregnant, you shouldn't take it. There are a variety of ways to consume it such as dried, powdered, or making a tincture. Dried is for making teas with; powdered can be purchased; tincture is to be added to a tea (for example). 

Red clover contains isoflavones, plant based chemicals that produce estrogen like effects in the body. Isoflavones have shown potential in the treatment of a number of conditions associated with menopause. But since it increases estrogen, there has been some doubts about the use of it. If any doubts, consult a herbalist or a wellness doctor. 

Red Raspberry is known as the "Woman's Herb". The berries are delicious, but by using the bark, leaves and stems, you can get a rainbow variety of vitamins and nutrient. According to Indian Herbology, it can be taken regularly throughout pregnancy to strengthen and tone tissues, help contractions and reduce hemorrhage during labour. Unlike black tea or coffee, which contain caffeine, raspberry tea also enriches milk and helps prevent miscarriage. It's also excellent to drink during your menstrual cycle, to help with cramps and bleeding. 

Red raspberry tea with red clover (one or more cups daily for several months) helps to promote fertility in men and women, prevents post-partum depression and hypertension. It can also help reduce night-sweats when paired with sage (do not take if pregnant).

Red Raspberry leaves is great herb to have at home, because it also helps with other common ailments plagued by everyone at all ages. 

Drying plants is very simple and easy to do. Make sure that your plants do not contain any residual water or they will turn muddy.

Air-Drying Method-

gather loose, leafy bunches of plants and tie them with a string and/or rubber band. Hang upside down in a well-ventilated, dry environment out of direct sunlight. Leave for 2 weeks, or until crispy. When ready, strip the leaves/flowers off the stems, then crumble, and store in an airtight colored glass jar or container. Herbs will keep for 1 year. 

Oven-Drying Method-

cover a cookie sheet with parchment paper and then put the plants on it, spacing them well apart. Place ion the oven on the lowest setting, leaving the door slightly open, until dry- this may take up to 5 hours. Crumble and store as above.