Perhaps you are one of those who know well the power of nature, are familiar with medicinal herbs and their effects, and can prepare natural remedies for your loved ones. Or maybe not, but this year you promised yourself to dive into the secrets of healing herbs and become an experienced herbal grandma? Don’t despair, it's not too late! Even August offers a bounty of herbs that are harvested and dried during this month. Add to that some dried mushrooms from forest walks, fruit and vegetables from the garden, and thanks to a handy food dehydrator, you can still become a master of homemade drying of just about anything. August is a great time to start! Because drying fruit, vegetables, mushrooms, and herbs is a passion that fills your pantry with delights.
During August, many healing herbs grow and bloom, and they are worth knowing. They offer beneficial effects that you can use before reaching for pharmaceuticals. Our grandmothers knew about the power of healing herbs, and being knowledgeable in herbs is still “in” in today’s eco-bio era. Learn too!
Yarrow – harvest the aerial parts or flowers; helps with digestive issues and menstrual pain.
Agrimony – harvest the flowering tops; supports digestion and acts anti-inflammatory.
Centaury – harvest the aerial parts; supports liver function and bile production.
St. John’s Wort – still possible to harvest flowering parts; has antidepressant and healing effects.
Oregano – flowering parts; used against cough and for digestion.
Wild Pansy – blooms until August; suitable for skin problems.
Stinging Nettle – harvest young leaves or tops; rich in vitamins and iron.
Peppermint – harvest leaves or tops; helps with nausea and digestion; makes a great tea to refresh you during hot summer days.
Lemon Balm – calming herb; ideal for teas against insomnia.
Sea Buckthorn – berries rich in vitamin C, harvested late August; a strong immunity booster.
Rosehips – start ripening late August, harvested into fall; make a great tea rich in vitamin C and immunity-boosting.
Blackberries – besides fruits, you can also harvest leaves for tea.
As with everything, harvesting medicinal plants requires caution and following certain principles to preserve their healing properties and ensure safety and sustainability. The best time is in the morning when the plant is dry but it's not too hot. Choose clean locations far from roads, dumps, pesticide-treated fields, or industrial zones. Only harvest plants you can confidently identify. Be careful of look-alikes with poisonous plants (e.g., centaury vs. deadly nightshade). Be considerate of nature—never harvest everything from one location; take only a portion. Use scissors or knives instead of tearing with hands. Don’t use plastic bags—opt for breathable baskets, paper bags, or cloth sacks. Dry herbs in thin layers in shade, on screens, or use a reliable helper—an electric food dehydrator—for thorough drying without mold risk.
For homemade food drying in organic quality, the Orava SU-106 digital food dehydrator is ideal. It preserves vitamins, minerals, trace elements, and fiber without chemicals or preservatives. It includes five trays (expandable up to ten). You can digitally set the drying time and temperature and adjust during the process. Drying time ranges from 30 minutes to 24 hours, and temperature from 35 to 70°C. Though it has a 420 W power rating, it won't ruin your budget. The user manual includes helpful tips on becoming a food drying master.
Store dried herbs in airtight containers—paper bags or glass jars—in a dark, dry place. Always label the herb name and harvest date. Use herbs to make healing tea within one year of harvest.
Cheers to your health!
Photo: Orava, pexels.com
