How To Dry Lavender

Dry lavender has many uses so it’s no wonder many people want to dry their own.  Lavender can be used in aromatherapy and can be used as well as the main ingredient on most lotions and oils. Drying lavender is easy and this will require you to follow simple steps starting with harvesting the plant stems.

Harvesting the stems is easy and this requires the use of gardening shears in order to cut the stem just above the leaves when the buds are starting to open. The time when the bud is about to open is the time when oils are at their strongest so this is when you want to cut the plant to be sure you get the essential oils at their peak.

The harvested stems should then be secured by a rubber band and placed together in a safe area. Han them upside down in a dry storage area - away from direct sunlight.

It takes about 7 to 10 days to dry lavender properly. When the lavender stems have dried up, the buds can be removed from the stem. Wrap the dried stems in a towel and gently roll them back and forth. This will cause the buds to fall off the stems. The stems and the buds can now be used separately. The buds are reat for sachets or to use as potpourri!

Aromatic Herbs

Most people think of herbs as flavorful additions for food or as natural remedies. These same herbs, however, also have aromatic properties that make them ideal for potpourri as well as aromatherapy. This is because of the oils that are present in the leaves of aromatic herbs are both flavorful and wonderfully scented. In addition, even those herbs that one would not want to eat can be a pleasure to smell.

Lavender is an herb that will always come to anyone’s mind. Its tiny purple flowers are beautiful to look at. The Mediterranean native is also delightful to smell. Perfect for perfumed sachets, it is also perfect to be placed around the edge of a garden in order to attract Black Swallowtail butterflies.

Being a member of the mint family, sage has been planted due to its spectacular scent. Even though it was originally found in Asia Minor, it is now cultivated all over. It will pleasantly surprise you with its aroma after rubbing the leaves between your fingers.

Another amazing add-on to your garden is Caraway-Scented Thyme. It is a beautiful small bush, attracts butterflies and bees, and also has a spicy aroma that herbalists love. Being another member of the mint family, in the early summer it will bloom pink blossoms.

One of the aromatic herbs that has been known of for centuries is the Sweet Majoram, not to be confused with the Origanum Vulgare, or Oregano. This spicy scent, a member of the mint family, is used frequently in perfumed soaps, and can be added to a potpourri bowl.

Preservation is a simple task. Fresh stems can be put in cold water in the fridge where they will last for around a week or so. They can also be stored in oil. They should be washed and dried for an hour, and then put into the jar. Afterward, the preserving oil can be poured in, and then they will keep fresh for about three months.

In order to store them for a longer period of time they can be frozen. They must be washed and dried and then placed into a plastic freezer bag. You can also dice them up and place the pieces into an ice cube tray. If they are not exposed to air, they will last for at least 4 months. To be able to store them for a year or so, they can be placed into a jar of vinegar after being washed and dried.

It is best to use them dried when they are being used in potpourri. They can be hung up in a location that is cool and gives shade. But make sure to remember that the scent is given by the oils. If they are left where they can be exposed to air for a prolonged period of time, some of the oil may evaporate and take the aroma with it.

If you want to store your herbs for longer, you will definitely need to use other methods of preservation. A superb way to keep the oils inside the plant until you are ready to use the herbs is to store them in airtight bags.

Some aromatic herbs retain a stronger scent than others when dried. Examples of such herbs are sage, thyme, mint, and marjoram. If these are dried properly, their scent should remain for several weeks.