You just finished harvesting your herbs and they are dry and ready to be put away for use later. Have you thought, “what kind of containers should I use?” This is very important to know, even before you start to dry your collection of herbs.
Your containers need to be sealed properly, so your herbs don’t lose their potency of the active ingredients inside of them.
Store in the Dark
If you buy regular glass jars enabling you to see the herbs from the outside, that is okay, but your still need to move them to an area like a cupboard or cabinet to keep them in the dark. If the sun is shining on your jars the herbs will start to fade. The sun also causes a chemical breakdown of the herbs, which will weaken the potency of the herbal when it comes time to use it. You do not want that to happen.
Colored Containers
It is best to buy colored containers that keep the sunlight out. So that is when the fun begins.
Finding the right containers with fitting lids and wide mouths to be able to fill them without spilling anything are really the best ones to use. Though sometimes they are not easy to find.
How to Get Jars
Going to garage sales may be a good place to go. Some people sell them cheap just to get rid of them and as they say “one mans junk is another mans treasure.” You might find them also at a thrift store or even a Goodwill.
Another great way to get containers is by letting your family and friends know what kind of jars you are looking for. That would help you out more since that is more eyes looking for jars.
You could also ask for colored jars for your birthday or even Christmas. You may receive the most beautiful jars, you never know. Just ask and you shall receive.
Blue, Green, and Brown
The colors to look for are blue, green, and brown. They do look pretty to have on the shelf, more towards the back so they are better shaded, to protect them from direct sunlight.
Put them in a cabinet where it is dark to keep them protected.
Remember that the lids have to fit tightly to keep the herbals fresh.
Labels
You must also remember your labels for the jars. You don’t want to forget to mark your herbals or tinctures, and if this is your first time making your containers and you happened to forget what you put in your jars? That is not good unless you recognize the smell of the herbal that is in that jar.
Dates
Don’t forget the date that it was made that will help with the potency of the herbal. It is also important when you are making tinctures, depending what herbal you use, it could be good for a few days or few weeks, even a few months or up to a year or more, just depends what you are mixing.