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Drying Herbs For Herbal Magick: 3 Simple Magical Methods

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Why should you considering drying herbs from your own garden for herbal magic? Herbal magick can get expensive. You often have to use a lot of herbs for a spell, which means buying more and more. This is an unfortunate barrier for beginner witches, young witches, and anyone that just isn't wealthy.

The good news is that if you grow your own herbs, drying herbs for herbal magick is easy! You can save money, while also deepening your relationship with the Earth and nature.

Decorative image of flowers in bloom and ready to be dried

Witch's Herb Guide: Drying Herbs

Witchcraft and herbs usually go hand in hand. The most ancient spells we have on record used plants and herbs to bring different energetic influences to the magick.

This is why you find herbs at the base of most magical traditions. Most witches work with the spiritual presence within the plants to enhance their spells and improve their lives.

If you have the space for a garden, you can save a lot of money on your herbal magick by harvesting and drying your own herbs instead of buying them from the store.

Since ancient times, witches have been using different parts of herbs or plants in herbal magick. If you want to know more about herbal magick, then you can read the post below to find much of the information you will need to know.

Why Should A Witch Grow And Dry Their Own Herbs?

There are many reasons consider drying herbs from your garden if you're a witch.

  • To save money on your herbal magick
  • To connect with each plant
  • To honor the Earth
  • For more potent spells with more potent herbs
  • Because it is fun
  • Because it is spiritually fulfilling

The Connection Between Witches And Herbalism

Witches are often seen as magical herbalists. Being close with your plants and being able to recognize their benefits is essential to making your own spells.

For example, a witch that knows her garden will remember to use chamomile to fight curses or roses to enhance feelings of love.

Many plants are associated with witchcraft, and some of them can be dangerous . If you don't know the plants you are using well enough, you could harm yourself or others!

Witches grow and dry their herbs to explore the various uses of the plants. This helps them to learn more about these plants and their purposes.

When a witch develops a deep spiritual connection with their own plants, she learns their true correspondences and different ways to use them in magick than what has simply been passed down by tradition. This means her herbal magick will be unique to them and sometimes more powerful!

According to traditional beliefs, you should only use plants that you directly connect to. They treat their plants with great respect.

Not just that, but they also take great care of the plants. They also perform sacred rituals to breathe life in the plants. The spirits present in the plants are the partner of the witches.

Decorative image of flowers ready to drying herbs

How To Dry Your Own Herbs

If you are wondering how to start drying herbs for herbal magick, we will teach you the right way to do so. All you have to do is follow the steps laid down below.

To get started, you need the herb that you want to dry. Along with that, you also need sewing thread to hang the herbs, a piece of cloth to keep your herbs covered from dust, and in the end, you need a glass or plastic jar, where you can store your herbs. Just make sure that the container you are using is dry, clean, and sealed.

If you are drying herbs for herbal magick for the first time, you should start with little. You should harvest leaves in the morning after the dew has dried up. You should pick the best leaves and wash them thoroughly. After that, you need to dry them a little with a paper towel.

Now tie them by the stem and hang them someplace where there is less moisture. The best place to dry them is somewhere shady and dry. Just make sure that the area has very little humidity.

It should take you just one week to dry the herbs. The thinner the herbs, the faster they will dry. You should check them every few days to see the progress. Once they dry up completely, you can crush them in powder.

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When To Harvest Your Herbs To Dry

When it comes to harvesting herbs, it depends on three main things.

  • The part of the herb you want to preserve or use. It can be the leaf, root, or flower.
  • The purpose you are using the herb for. Whether you want to dry it or use it fresh.
  • The life cycle of the herb you are using. Whether you have to harvest them before they start to flower and bolt. Bolted plants are bitter, and they may change in magical purpose.

Once you know the part of the herb you need and its use, all you have to do is wait for the herbs to get ripe for the picking. Then it's time to start drying herbs for herbal magick!

Drying Herbs In The Microwave

In case you didn't know, you can also dry your herbs in a microwave! It's a straightforward process. Once you know the procedure, you can easily do it yourself.

Here is what you have to do:

  • The first thing you need to do is clean and dry your herbs properly.
  • Once dry, lay them out in a single layer on a clean piece of paper that you will easily fit in your microwave. Before putting the herbs in the microwave, remove the leaves from the stems.
  • You need to microwave the herbs on full power for 30 to 90 seconds. However, this is dependent on the herbs you are using. Keep an eye on them!
  • Once done, you should check whether the herbs are crisp or not. In case they feel soft, you should microwave them for another few seconds. But make sure that you don't over-do it or you will burn them!
  • Now let the herbs cool down, after which you can crush them and store them in plastic bags or jars.
  • You should store them in a cool dark place. Also, make sure that you use them within 6 months for the highest potency.
Decorative image of blue flowers

Drying Herbs In A Dehydrator

Instead of a microwave, you can also dry herbs in a dehydrator. The steps are quite easy, and therefore, anyone can do it. To help you out, we have explained the steps below.

  • At first, you need to harvest and prepare the herbs.
  • Clean and dry the herbs completely. The good thing is that you can dry almost all types of herbs in a dehydrator.
  • After that place them in a single layer on the dehydrator tray.
    To create more space for larger leaves, you can remove some of the trays. All the leaves need to get proper air circulation.
  • To get the best flavor, you should dry the herbs on the lowest setting. In case your dehydrator does not have the thermostat option, you should use it for the shortest period.
  • Check on the herbs often. The ideal temperature would be 95 F to 115 F. In case of high humidity, you can go up to 125 F. It takes about one to four hours.
  • Once the herbs are dry, you can crush them and store them in glass or plastic jars.

This 4 tray dehydrator is affordable and can expand to fit what you need. I recommend getting a dehydrator like this one from Nesco.

Drying Herbs In Your Car

If you don't have access to a microwave or dehydrator for drying herbs, you can even dry your herbs in your car on a sunny day!

This is a rather unconventional method of drying herbs, but it is very much possible. If you want to give this method a try, then you need to follow the steps given below.

To start drying herbs in your car, you need to first park your car in a nice, sunny spot. After that, spread the herbs on a dry and clean baking tray. You need to place the tray on top of your car's dashboard and under the windshield.

Make sure that all your doors and windows are closed. You don't need to stay in the car. If you stay, you might get fried in the heat, too!

The sun rays will help the herbs dry quickly. It usually takes just a few hours to get done. In this method of drying, you don't have to worry about mold forming.

Make sure to thank the sun for using its energy to dry your herbs!

How To Store Dried Herbs

Now that you know how to dry your herbs quickly, it's time that we talk about how to store them correctly.

After drying herbs, they need to be stored correctly or else they will form mold and get damaged. If you are doing this for the first time, then you should follow the tips given below.

  • Whole herbs last longer. Not breaking the skin allows them to stay fresh longer, giving you stronger flavor and more magical potency. Store them in their whole form whenever possible.
  • Before storing your herbs in glass jars and plastic containers, you need to make sure that they are dehydrated. Any amount of moisture will ruin your herbs.
  • Store your herbs in airtight containers to keep the humidity outside. Humidity causes mold to form, which can ruin your dried herbs.
  • The best place to store your herbs is somewhere dry, cool, and dark. You should keep them away from sunlight.
  • You should store your herbs in a dark colored container so that it can block out any potential light rays.
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