Herbs: Autumnal Harvest and Storage

~ By Kythera Ann ~

Herbs have many uses and play a vital role in our lives, but how exactly do we define what an herb is? According to one dictionary, an herb can be defined as "a seed-producing annual, biennial, or perennial that does not develop persistent woody tissue but dies down at the end of a growing season." Furthermore, we can define an herb as "a plant or plant part valued for its medicinal, savory, or aromatic qualities."

General usage differs between culinary herbs and medicinal herbs. In medicinal or spiritual use any of the parts of the plant might be considered "herbs", including leaves, roots, flowers, seeds, resin, root bark, inner bark (cambium), berries and sometimes the pericarp or other portions. On the other hand, culinary use of the term "herb" typically distinguishes between herbs, from the leafy green parts of a plant, and spices, from other parts of the plant (including seeds, berries, bark, root, fruit, and even occasionally dried leaves). Culinary herbs are distinguished from vegetables, in that, like spices, they are used in small amounts and provide flavor rather than substance to food.

Some herbs are shrubs (such as rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis), or trees (such as bay laurel, Laurus nobilis) this contrasts with botanical herbs, which by definition cannot be woody plants.

Air and oven drying are two simple methods to prepare your herbs for future use. You can also extract the essential oils of herbs by soaking the leaves, stems, roots, flowers, etc. in a bottle full of oil, such as olive oil.

It is best to use your herbs before they flower for maximum potency. If you're harvesting an annual, you can choose to use the entire plant, but if you're using a perennial, prune off less than half of the plant to ensure that it will regrow. After collecting the part you're going to use, wash off any soil, and pat the herbs dry with a paper towel. Let the herbs air dry until the remaining moisture is gone.

Tie clusters of herbs together and hang them upside down in a dry, dark place that maintains a warm temperature. Check that the herbs are ready to use by testing to see if the leaves crumble, around two weeks of drying. If you decide to dry your herbs in the oven, use a low heat for a prolonged period of time. Try around 150 degrees Fahrenheit for three hours.

In the case that you're harvesting seeds, place the seeds on a sheet of paper and let them dry out for a few days. Then, rub the seeds vigorously between your hands to remove the shells. Dispose of the debris and continue to dry the seeds for a few more days before using.

You can also extract the essential oils of herbs by soaking the fresh or dried herbs in a caped bottle of oil. A sterilized glass bottle that has been boiled in water for 10 minutes is recommended. Olive oil works best as the base. Place the bottle in the sun for several days, and then strain the oil through cheesecloth, disposing of the used plant in your compost bin. The oil can be used for cooking, or in the case of medicinal plants, to make massage oils or salves.

In addition to using fresh herbs, drying them or extracting the essential oils, you can make an herbal tincture with medicinal herbs using alcohol and store it for up to two years.

PLEASE NOTE: This article is intended for educational purposes only. Using the information contained within this article for any other purpose remains the sole responsibility of the individual.

Resources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbs

         

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