Drying Herbs & Leaves

[gingy pig]

quick question regarding dying herbs & leaves- does anyone know if the drying process concentrates nutrients & if it will also change calcium levels,i.e make somethings more concentrated & need to be given in tiny amounts? thanks.

 

[acapae]

Drying removes the water content, so the nutrients contained will become more concentrated weight for weight. But it doesn't add or remove anything else, so ratios of the individual micronutrients won't change.

Storing dried things inappropriately can shift the balance though, so it's important you don't store things anywhere with a high humidity, in bright light etc.

 

[Pound Shilling & Pig]

I dont know very much about drying herbs. but drying can make a difference to some plants. For example hay contains vitamin D because it is dried in the sun, while readigrass doesn't because it is kiln dried. Also fresh buttercups are poisonous but the dried ones sometimes found in hay are not.