Fresh vs. Dried Evergreens: Which to Use?
Fresh evergreens are excellent for many herbal preparations. Fresh sprigs are ideal for infusing oils, making tinctures or making syrups as they contain high levels of volatile oils and natural moisture. These properties can help release more of the plant’s components into the base liquid or oil. However, drying evergreens allows you to preserve these vigorous plants all year round, which is especially useful if you want to create a larger supply of medicine or if there is no season for fresh sprigs.
When making herbal preparations such as skin toners with evergreen herbs, dried evergreen sprigs often work better than fresh ones. Dried evergreen vegetables contain less moisture, which helps prevent dilution of the base ingredients and can contribute to a longer shelf life of the finished product. However, proper storage in cool, dry and dark conditions is crucial for maintaining the quality of dried evergreens over time.
For tea and herbal blends, dried evergreens are ideal because they can be stored for a long time without spoiling, and their flavors and medicinal properties are preserved in a concentrated form. The drying process can sometimes increase the concentration of certain compounds as the water content decreases, although some volatile elements may be lost.
On the other hand, using fresh evergreens for certain tinctures and herbal teas may be preferable. The natural moisture and fresh sap in newly harvested sprigs can help extract a full spectrum of the plant’s compounds, including some that may be reduced during the drying process.
The advantage of dried evergreens is that they have access to their medicine all year round. Whether you make a soothing winter tea or add them to bath products and ointments, having dried sprigs ensures that you can incorporate these sacred plants into your herbal practice at any time.
Tip: It is important to note that proper identification of evergreen species is crucial as some can be poisonous. Additionally, when harvesting fresh evergreens, it is essential to follow sustainable practices to protect these often slow-growing plants. Always harvest responsibly, taking only what you need and leaving enough for the plant to thrive and for the wildlife that may depend on it.