Dried leaves and flowers will typically last one to two years, and roots can last two to three years. If you store dried herbs correctly, you’ll find the following to be a useful guideline:
Dried leaves and flowers have a shelf life of 1-2 years
Roots, seeds, and barks can last 2-3 years
Use your senses—smell, sight, and taste—to determine the vitality of stored herbs. If an herb looks vibrant and has retained most of its flavor and/or aroma, it’s still good medicine!
Storing Herbal Tinctures
Properly stored tinctures—prepared with high-percentage alcohol (50% or higher)—can last for years, even decades. We store our tinctures (and syrups, vinegars, oxymels, infused oils, and simple syrups) in amber glass dispensing bottles with polyseal caps. These bottles have several helpful attributes:
The brown glass excludes light, which can degrade medicine over time.
The inside of the polyseal cap is resistant to solvents, as it is manufactured for chemical storage. While I don’t like that the inside of the cap is plastic, I haven’t yet found a better system.
The bottles are a small investment, but they are washable and reusable—I have dozens that have been with me for over a decade.
As an alternative, people often store their medicine in glass canning jars. If you go this route, be aware that alcohol and vinegar will corrode canning lids over time, contaminating the medicine with plastic compounds. To prevent this, use natural waxed paper as a barrier on the inside of the lid.
Finally, make sure to store your alcohol-based tinctures some distance from the stove and potential kitchen fires as they are very flammable.
Storing Herbal-Infused Oils and Salves
Herbal-infused oils and salves will typically last two to three years when refrigerated and one year unrefrigerated, depending on the stability of the oil used. Using dried herbs will greatly increase the shelf life of your herbal-infused oils.
Storing Powdered Herbs and Capsules
Herbal powders have a shorter shelf life than cut and sifted herbs (loose teas and bulk herbs) because the plant material is ground to such a fine consistency. Use powdered herbs within 6-12 months, storing them in the refrigerator or freezer for maximum freshness.