How To Dry Your Own Herbs To Use For Cooking, Skin Care & More

If you're new to it, herbs like tarragon, bay, mint, lemon balm, lavender, rosemary, and thyme are some of the best to start with. There are lots of ways to dry them, and even more ways to use them up. Here's how, from herbal teacher and co-author of The Handmade Apothecary and The Herbal Remedy Handbook Kim Walker.

And for the true herbal enthusiasts, Walker adds there are collapsible mesh racks available today specifically for drying herbs.

"The important thing is to have the door open a bit to let the moisture escape," Walker says. "And you do have to keep your eye on them because you want to dehydrate them—not cook them." Place your herbs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, have the oven fan running, and rotate your tray throughout the drying process. Check in on your herbs every 15 minutes or so. As soon as they're completely dry to the touch, take them out. It will likely take one to two hours.

Dehydrators are a great option if you're looking to dry herbs quickly. Plus, with a dehydrator, you don't run the risk of accidentally cooking them, as you do with an oven.

And lastly, you can dry your herbs in a microwave, though Walker doesn't recommend this. "The microwave is quite a high temperature," she says. "You don't want to cook the herbs, and we have no research on what the microwave might be doing to the constituents in the plant." Stick to air-drying if you can, but if you're in a pinch, lay your herbs between two paper towels and microwave them for a minute. If they're not done, microwave for 20 to 30 seconds at a time until they're ready.

Lastly, if you want to display your dried herbs, go for darker glass, to keep light out. "But as long as you keep them in a cupboard where the light won't get them," Walker says, "glass color doesn't really matter."

Fresher means more flavor! Drying your own herbs allows you to get a better sense of their shelf life, as you'll notice changes in scent and appearance. "You'll be able to see what a good-quality dried herb looks like when you first dry them," Walker says, "so you can watch the changes." She adds most should keep for about a year, and the idea is to "harvest and dry as the seasons come along and preserve it for that year until it's in season again."

Dried herbs can be expensive, but when you make your own, not only are you limiting fresh herb waste, but you'll save yourself money in the long run. And not for nothing, dried herbs have a more concentrated flavor than fresh, making them perfect for lots of recipes.

Very basically, you can of course use your dried herbs for cooking. With freshly dried basil, dill, and oregano, doesn't a spice rack of your own dried herbs just sound more appealing?

Here's where things get cool: Certain herbs are super potent and powerful for healing. They've been used for centuries in medicinal systems like Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine, so if you're experiencing a health issue, there's probably an herb that can help. Chamomile can help you fall asleep, lemon balm can help elevate your mood, thyme is great for your respiratory system—the list goes on. And lest we forget all the herbs out there that can support our immune systems, like St. John's wort and turmeric. As always, check in with your doctor before introducing any new medicinals to your routine.

Not only do herbs like sage, mint, and rosemary taste good, but they're great for your skin too. One of Walker's favorite ways to incorporate herbs into her beauty routine is with the following multipurpose, exfoliating face cleanser:

Drying your own herbs is easy, cost-effective, and will leave you with a lush plant arsenal at your disposal throughout the year. So, are you ready to start that herb garden yet?