Monday, December 2, 2019

Herbs: Harvesting and trashing

Dried calendula
Last week I ran a workshop for  IAAMA, the International Aromatherapists and Aromatic Medicine Association. Preparation for  a workshop starts many days before. This time of year is the perfect time to harvest and dry many of the softer leaves and flowers for the oil extractions.   I decided to take last years dried herbs with me to show the textures of dried leaf, roots and flowers. Although they had been stored in the dark, the contrast in colour and vitality to the newly processed ones was startling.
It is a good reminder that as the newly dried herbs are packed, it is time to throw out last years supply.  This is true too for the herbs and spices in your kitchen cupboard. I have a friend who throws the lot out every January and buys new. You need not be that ruthless. Try the smell test...no smell, no good.  Ground herbs lose their viability very quickly, best to buy them as rubbed or as whole leaves. The same applies to spices-buy whole when possible and grind your own. Check the use by date when you by them and store in dark glass, ceramic container with a tight fitting lid or in glass jars in a dark cupboard. Never keep by the stove or in bright light.


 rubbing through a sieve 

Dried herbs are a boost for your compost pile and make a nice weed free mulch although I would hope you don't have sackfuls to throw out! I have tried some of them on the chickens but they much prefer to eat them fresh and continue to graze on comfrey, chickweed, dandelion and plantain they can reach through their fence. Old dried spices can be used sprinkled on the garden around seedlings to help deter pests or again, in the compost. You can also mix them with essential oils and use to stuff calico bags to deter moths and silverfish in your wardrobe and linen cupboards. Mixed with resin or gum arabic, they can be rolled into  incense or beads. Check out the various sites for Rose bead making, you can add ground spices to these. They are  a great school holiday activity and  make a delightful present.

Go well,
Nirala








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