Alfalfa

 It is very difficult to pin down an exact expiration date for most single herbs as they do not really expire; they lose potency or strength over time but will still have value. Unlike synthetic materials or drugs, herbs can contain many constituents that contribute to their medicinal effects. Even if we know what the active members are, there are often many of them in a single herb, each with different degradation rates. Some herbs lose their effect more quickly. Other herbs that possess more stable compounds, such as alkaloids or steroids, will last much longer.

 

A huge part of the degradation rate of herbs depends also on the storage conditions of the herb, & even on the quality of the herb before storage – how it was grown, harvested, dried & processed. If the product is left in hot places or open to sunlight, it will degrade much quicker than if it was stored in a cool, dry place & sealed tightly.

 

A good rule of thumb is that herbs should be stored no longer than 2-3 years, but many herbs will have great strength much longer than that. To determine if an herb is still good you can check the appearance & aroma. Herbs that are no longer acceptable will have lost much of their vibrant color & will instead appear dull & faded. The bigger key though is to smell the raw materials to see if the potent aroma is still present.

 Store in a sealed container in a cool, dry place.

Applications / Preparations: Can be used in teas, oils, soups, smoothies, baked goods, put into capsules, or infused as an herbal extract. For cosmetic use, make infusions, herbal oils & salves for the skin.