Herbs that Must Be Dried Prior to Use

14 years ago

Are there many that should ONLY be used after drying?

My preference, with teas, especially, is to simply gather the fresh leaves and brew my tea in just-boiling water in the microwave.

In reading up on Bittersweet (not to ever be used as a tea--I would only use for external application purposes!) I noticed the emphasis on use only after drying--apparently, some harmful principle dissipates during the drying process.

This led me to wonder what other herbs should never be used fresh.

Does anyone know? What does drying do to make some herbs safer?

Comments (5)

herbalbetty
14 years ago
Eibren, plants which contain anthroquinones should be dried and aged before use. The oxidation which occurs during the aging process makes the laxative effect of the anthroquinones much milder. You can become seriously ill if the herb isn't aged properly. Horrible griping through significant peristaltic action. Some herbs which contain anthroquinones are senna, cascara, rhubarb root and the skin of the aloe plant. Some plants contain tannins, which can counterbalance the effects.
rockguy
14 years ago
Wild ginger comes to mind.
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eibren
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanls, Herbalbetty and Rockguy.

I wonder if there are any other harmful substances that are
inactivated by drying?

:o/
fatamorgana2121
14 years ago
Stinging nettle is used either cooked or dried.

FataMorgana
simplemary
14 years ago
Just a note: "rhubarb root" should refer to Turkey rhubarb, not garden rhubarb. Different plants.