Guest guest Posted June 24, 2006 Report Share Posted June 24, 2006 How long will dried herbs stay " good " ? I have about 53 lbs of assorted herbs that I have vacuum packed when I first got them( almost a year ago). If I need to use them, I open the bag and then reseal it. Any suggestions? or does it vary from herb to herb? Thanks:o) Michelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 24, 2006 Report Share Posted June 24, 2006 I'm not an expert, but I have some herbs that are also about a year old and I keep them sealed and in a dark place and I pulled some out recently and they still smelled very strong. Considering that I have tea that's been in my cabinet for a couple of years (or more) and I still drink it when I remember to, they seem to keep, so . . . I use my herbs for dream pillows. I have some bath tea that I made over a year ago and I steeped it in some hot water and it smelled excellent - I don't treat my herbs with oils or anything, I keep them in their natural state. Let's see what others have to say. Michele Madison Robles Danaomi Scents , naturesnotionsnj wrote: > > How long will dried herbs stay " good " ? I have about 53 lbs of assorted herbs > that I have vacuum packed when I first got them( almost a year ago). > If I need to use them, I open the bag and then reseal it. > Any suggestions? or does it vary from herb to herb? > Thanks:o) > Michelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 26, 2006 Report Share Posted June 26, 2006 , naturesnotionsnj wrote: > > How long will dried herbs stay " good " ? Each herb is different, but a general rule is that if it still retains color and its original odor it is still " good " . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 26, 2006 Report Share Posted June 26, 2006 It has always been my understanding that you can tell if an herb is good by the color, taste, and smell. If they are brown and have lost their smell then they are no good. Kathryn Ring'em or ping'em. Make PC-to-phone calls as low as 1¢/min with Messenger with Voice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 26, 2006 Report Share Posted June 26, 2006 In a message dated 6/24/2006 5:36:01 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, chaeya writes: I'm not an expert, but I have some herbs that are also about a year old and I keep them sealed and in a dark place and I pulled some out recently and they still smelled very strong Thanks Michele! )) Michelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 26, 2006 Report Share Posted June 26, 2006 In a message dated 6/26/2006 8:38:15 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, aromamedical writes: So the rule applies to melissa and peppermint for example; if a herb tea bag is brown chuck it out as it will be next to useless and many commercial herb teabags are like that. If the herb has been properly deydrated using modern equipment it will stay green for ages. Cool! all of mine are nice and green and vacuum packed! Thank you everyone for you help! )) Michelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 26, 2006 Report Share Posted June 26, 2006 Kathryn >If they are brown and have lost their smell then they are no good. This is a generalisation which only applies to certain herbs, in particular those that yield essential oils. It is not correct for those herbs where the major action is due to the alkaloids which are very stable over extended time spans. I have dried Belladonna from when I used to grow it 15 years ago+ and too much of that stuff would put someone in their grave, that hows much it deteriorates!! There are many herbs like that which when dried and stored in the right conditions will keep for years. Roots will often keep a long time, but not always easy to stop the bugs eating them as they are often in the roots to start with. So the rule applies to melissa and peppermint for example; if a herb tea bag is brown chuck it out as it will be next to useless and many commercial herb teabags are like that. If the herb has been properly deydrated using modern equipment it will stay green for ages. Martin , Kathryn Chapman <paintedgoatfarm wrote: > > It has always been my understanding that you can tell if an herb is good by the color, taste, and smell. If they are brown and have lost their smell then they are no good. > > Kathryn > > > > Ring'em or ping'em. Make PC-to-phone calls as low as 1¢/min with Messenger with Voice. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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