Labeling & Storing Natural Remedies

Some herbs are easily identifiable just by looking at them, such as rose petals and lavender buds. However, some are not. And when you begin making your own recipes, it's easy to forget exactly what's in them.

Label your creations with names and dates to ensure accurate tracking and record-keeping. You can do this with masking tape and a waterproof Sharpie, or you can buy fancy labels at a craft store. At the very least, name your creation and date it. If your label is large enough, you can also write the ingredients and measurements on it. Most of the time, you'll need to have a written copy of the recipe stored somewhere, so you can remake it or modify it to your liking. 

Fresh herbs can be refrigerated or frozen in closed containers or Ziplock freezer bags. However, flowers and leaves should be used within 2 to 3 days at most. Roots, bark, and berries will last a few weeks. You can place a small piece of a clean, damp cloth in the container to keep them from drying out too quickly. Use pure water to avoid contaminants.

Dried herbs should be stored in capped, dark glass jars in a cool place. 

Store infusions (teas) in the fridge for 24 hours and decoctions for 48 hours.