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Home Home and Family Garden Using And Storing Aromatic Herbs
Using And Storing Aromatic Herbs PDF Print E-mail
Written by Lee Dobbins   
Not only are herbs used for seasoning in food items, they are also used for medicinal purposes. They are also great for providing wonderful smells in your garden or home and for aromatherapy. The oils contained in the leaves of many of the aromatic herbs used for cooking are what makes them so useful. The oil is also what gives the herbs a pleasurable scent. Even if you wouldn't eat an herb, they make a delight for the senses.
by LeeDobbins


Not only are herbs used for seasoning in food items, they are also used for medicinal purposes. They are also great for providing wonderful smells in your garden or home and for aromatherapy. The oils contained in the leaves of many of the aromatic herbs used for cooking are what makes them so useful. The oil is also what gives the herbs a pleasurable scent. Even if you wouldn't eat an herb, they make a delight for the senses.

Lavender, a Mediterranean native herb, is a beautiful herb with small purple blossoms and has an amazing aroma. It attracts Black Swallowtail butterflies and humans alike. Its fragrance is perfect when used in perfumed sachets.

With origins in Asia Minor, sage, a derivative of the mint family, is often planted for its sensational scent. By rubbing it's leaves between your thumb and index finger, you'll gain a true appreciation for the herb's fragrance.

Caraway-Scented Thyme is a member of the mint family. It blooms in early summer with beautiful pink blossoms. This small bush attracts butterflies and bees with its bright blossoms and spicy aroma. It makes a wonderful addition to any garden.

Another one of the aromatic herbs that belongs to the mint family and has been around for hundreds of years is Sweet Marjoram. Often used in perfumed soaps, Sweet Marjoram has a spicy aroma and is great when used as part of the potpourri after being milled. Don't mix it up with its cousin Origanum Vulgare, also known as Oregano, that is found in the wild.

It is easy to keep them preserved. Keep fresh stems in jars of cool water in the fridge, they will last for a week or so. Otherwise, store them in oil. Wash them and let them dry for an hour, then place them in a jar with preserving oil. They will stay fresh that way for two to three months.

If you want to store them for longer, it is a good option to keep them in the freezer. After washing, remove the water and then store in a plastic bag in the freezer. Another way is to chop them and keep the pieces in the ice cube tray. Unexposed to air they will retain the freshness for more than 4 months. For longer storage keep them in a jar of vinegar after cleaning and drying.

Flowers hung to dry in a cool, dark place are great for making potpourri; just remember that the spices and aromas of potpourri come from the oils in the petals and they will evaporate after a while.

Though that is ideal for a potpouri jar or satchet bag, in order to extend the life of the herbs other methods are necessary. One way to accomplish this is to use an airtight bag. These bags prohibit oil from escaping the plants and prolong their life.

Some of my favorite aromatic herbs are sage, marjoram, thyme and mint whose scent remains intact particularly when they are dried. If handled correctly, they will emit a pleasant fragrance for several weeks.

About The Author:

You can learn more about all types of herbs including medicinal herbs, culinary herbs and even aromatic herbs at http://basicherbgardeningtips.com/ where you will get basic tips for growing herbs both indoors and out.

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