Tips for Drying Herbs

[PathlessPlot]

Does anyone have any good tips for drying herbs? I know that you can slowly dry them by placing them around the house, but does anyone have any tips for microwaving or baking or something to speed the process a bit?  

[EdanaDesmond]

One for flowering herbs (if you only need the bud/petals) is to wrap it in a paper towel (doesn't matter which) and find a dry, I MEAN DRY area to leave it in about a day or three you should be set... and Microwaves don't work to well, unless it's for cooking... they tend to keep the moisture in. That's about all I know about herbs, I can ask a friend of mine ^ ^ She's an herbal nutcase... Maybe she has more info.  

[PathlessPlot]

Thank ya. If it helps the specific plant that I had in mind was my aloe.  

[Ich bin Q]

don't get any big ideas, they're not going to happen...

Hanging herbs doesn't really take long... it only took about a week for me to dry 1" diameter dandelion root, after being thoroughly soaked from washing. I can't imagine aloe would take much longer than that. I'd just string it up and hang it next to an air vent or fireplace.

You could use pressure to squeeze the liquid out... wrap it up in a towel and press it under some heavy books. That, however, takes even longer than just hanging it ('bout two weeks).

...you'll go to hell for what your dirty mind is thinking.

 

[EdanaDesmond]

Your trying to dry aloe? Haven't heard that one before, I think Ich Bin has the right idea, to squeeze out the (which may or may not cause it to split) you can use the aloe juice/goo for other things without damaging it's properties. And sticking it in the oven might work...  

[Deletemeplease80]

I have no idea if its safe- but what about using a dehydrater?  

[MasterBubbling]

I believe a dehydrater would work, but I wouldn't advice using it again...  

[Jamie Of Spades]

I don't know for sure if it would work, but what about setting it next to a hair dryer?
Sounds wierd, but it might work. [Don't ask where I got the idea from.]