Amish families dry enormous quantities of herbs in late summer, not just for cooking but for teas and traditional remedies.
Method
- Harvest herbs in the morning after the dew dries but before midday heat.
- Bundle five to ten stems together with twine.
- Hang upside down in a warm, dry, dark space with good airflow. Most herbs dry fully in one to two weeks.
Essentials worth growing
- Peppermint — for digestion and headaches
- Chamomile — for calming and sleep
- Echinacea — for immune support
- Calendula — for skin healing
- Lemon balm — for stress and mood
Stored in airtight jars in a dark pantry, dried herbs retain potency one to two years — and a single plant produces enough for dozens of cups of tea.
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