After purchasing herbs from a store or market, a common question arises: how can we store them to preserve their medicinal properties for as long as possible?

You have several options to choose from, as there’s no single "right" way to store dried herbs. The key is to dry them properly after harvesting, ensuring there are no damp spots where mold could develop.

Storing Herbs in a Jar

Herbs should be kept in cool, dark places, as both light and high temperatures can degrade the active compounds in herbs. A great option is to store them in airtight glass containers, which protect against moisture and unwanted pests or insects. If you have a spare jar at home, even one from honey or pickled cabbage, put it to use. Storing herbs in recycled glass jars is an excellent choice for keeping them fresh.

Storing Herbs in a Paper Bag

A glass container is a good option for storing herbs, but it’s true that jars can take up a lot of space in cupboards, and not everyone can afford this method of storage. Another solution is to use a paper bag, but in this case, only put in the herbs that you plan to use soon. Storing herbs in a paper bag carries the risk of significant changes in humidity, which can affect the quality of the herb mixture. Additionally, it’s easy for moths and other unwanted "guests" to invade such packaging. If you know you’ll be using a particular herb or mixture in the near future, feel free to store it this way.

Storing Herbs in Ziplock Plastic Bags

An alternative to the above options is storing herbs in ziplock plastic bags. This method combines the durability of quality that comes with storing herbs in jars with the ease of organization that paper bags offer. The only downside is that plastic isn't the most eco-friendly material. However, you can reuse these bags multiple times, helping to minimize waste.

As mentioned earlier, herbs thrive in cool, dry, and dark conditions, making a closed cabinet (but not one near a radiator or oven!) where you store other dry food products an ideal location.

Storing Herbs in the Refrigerator

Storing herbs in the refrigerator carries a high risk of mold development, which may not be visible to the naked eye but can be quite dangerous. The mycelium grows inside the product, and only after the fruiting bodies have formed can you notice its presence. Refrigerators often have a rather humid climate, which is not conducive to the proper storage of herbs. Consuming infusions or decoctions made from such materials can be toxic and unsafe, completely undermining the health benefits of the herbs.

When foraging for herbs yourself, remember to note the date of harvest. When transferring herbs purchased from a herbal shop, be sure to write down the expiration date indicated on the packaging.

If you have reliable methods for storing herbs, please write to us and share your tips! We would love to use them and publish them for our readers!