Drying Herbs for Teas

Drying herbs to make tea is one of the simplest, most relaxing ways to begin a homesteading life. Teas are nutritious, healing, and comforting, and bring a sense of peace and grounding to your day. Start with leaves and stems of delicious, locally grown plants free from pesticides, like mint, lavender, chamomile, comfrey, or lemon balm. I prefer the bundling and hanging method of drying herbs, it is fast and the bundles look and smell beautiful. Harvest the stems (with leaves and flowers) early to mid-afternoon when they are dry. Lay them on paper towels to air so that when you bundle them there will not be any moisture inside the bundle - a couple of hours is sufficient. Gather the dried sprigs evenly with stems at one end and tie them into a bundle 2-3 inches from the bottom of the stems. Hang the bundles upside down to dry in a well-ventilated area. They should hang in a clean, dry area of your home without direct sunlight or complete darkness, away from chemicals. Dry until the stems break easily and the leaves and flowers crumble. Put them in a blender and pulse a few times to grind down into tea-sized bits.  Store in a cool, dry area for up to six months.