The Outdoor Apothecary is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more
Evergreens have long been cherished by Eastern Woodland tribes like the Nipmuck and many other Indigenous communities for their healing and spiritual properties. Cedar, sweetgrass, and sage hold a special place in our hearts and practices, providing both physical and spiritual medicine. As a Nipmuck woman, I’m passionate about reclaiming these traditional teachings and sharing them with those who wish to honor the earth and themselves by incorporating these sacred plants into their daily lives.
One effective way to preserve evergreens for medicine making is by using a dehydrator. Properly dehydrating evergreens can help preserve many of their beneficial compounds, making them suitable for long-term storage and use in various herbal preparations. In this guide, I’ll show you how to dry evergreens using a dehydrator and offer tips for using these dried herbs in your own medicine-making practices.
Foraging Evergreens in the Cold Months
I prefer to forage and harvest evergreens like cedar, pine, and spruce during the colder months of the year. As the world around us goes into a state of rest and renewal, these resilient plants remain vibrant and green. For many evergreen species, late fall to early winter can be an excellent time to harvest for medicinal purposes, as some beneficial compounds may be more concentrated during this period of winter preparation.
With less plant life available to forage in the cold season, winter becomes a time to deepen our relationship with evergreens, honoring their strength and resilience. The quiet of the season is an invitation to work with these sacred plants, creating medicines that warm the body, soothe the spirit, and support wellness through the long winter months.
Fresh vs. Dried Evergreens: Which to Use?
Fresh evergreens are excellent for many herbal preparations. Fresh sprigs are ideal for infusing oils, creating tinctures, or making syrups, as they contain high levels of volatile oils and natural moisture. These qualities can help release more of the plant’s constituents into the base liquid or oil. However, drying evergreens allows you to preserve these powerful plants for use throughout the year, which is particularly useful for creating a larger supply of medicine or when fresh sprigs are not in season.
When making herbal preparations such as evergreen-infused skin toners, dried evergreen sprigs often work better than fresh ones. Dried evergreens contain less moisture, which helps prevent dilution of the base ingredients and can contribute to a longer shelf life for the finished product. However, proper storage in cool, dry, and dark conditions is crucial for maintaining the quality of dried evergreens over time.
For teas and herbal blends, dried evergreens are ideal because they can be stored long-term 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 water content decreases, although some volatile elements may be lost.
On the other hand, for certain tinctures and infusions, using fresh evergreens can 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 might be diminished in the drying process.
The advantage of having dried evergreens is year-round access to their medicine. Whether you’re making a soothing winter tea or adding them to bath soaks and salves, having dried sprigs ensures that you can incorporate these sacred plants into your herbal practice at any time.
Tip: It’s important to note that proper identification of evergreen species is crucial, as some can be toxic. Additionally, when harvesting fresh evergreens, it’s essential to follow sustainable practices to protect these often slow-growing plants. Always harvest responsibly, taking only what you need and leaving plenty for the plant to thrive and for wildlife that may depend on it.
Why Dry Evergreens?
Learning how to dry evergreens properly ensures you have this plant medicine on hand whenever you need it. While traditional methods like air drying and bundling are effective, using a dehydrator can significantly reduce drying time and provide consistent results, making it an excellent option for modern herbalists and medicine makers. This technique works beautifully for evergreens like cedar, pine, and spruce, which can then be used in a variety of herbal preparations and skincare products.
What You’ll Need:
- Freshly harvested evergreen sprigs (cedar, spruce, hemlock, white pine, or your chosen species)
- Dehydrator with adjustable temperature settings
- Scissors or pruners
- Clean cloth or towel for wiping leaves
- Storage jars or bags for dried evergreens
Harvesting and Preparing Evergreens
Harvest with Respect: When harvesting evergreens, it’s important to do so with intention and gratitude. Choose sprigs from healthy, mature trees, taking care not to overharvest from a single plant. Offer a small prayer or gift to the plant in exchange for its medicine.
Clean Gently: After harvesting, shake off and wipe the leaves gently with a clean cloth to remove any dirt or debris. Avoid washing them with water, as excess moisture can affect the drying process.
Cut into Manageable Pieces: Use scissors or pruners to cut sprigs into smaller pieces that will fit easily on your dehydrator trays.
How to Dry Evergreens in a Dehydrator
Set the Temperature: Preheat your dehydrator to a low setting, around 95-115°F (35-46°C). The goal is to dry the evergreens slowly to preserve their volatile oils and medicinal properties.
Arrange on Trays: Spread the evergreen sprigs in a single layer on the dehydrator trays. Make sure they are not overlapping, as this can slow down the drying process.
Check Frequently: Drying times can vary depending on the type of evergreen and the humidity level in your area. Check your sprigs every 2-3 hours. They should feel dry and slightly brittle but not crumbly.
Cooling and Storing: Once dried, let the sprigs cool completely before storing them in an airtight jar or bag. Keep them in a cool, dark place to maintain their potency.
Using Dried Evergreens into Medicine Making
Once you’ve learned how to dry evergreens, there are countless ways to incorporate them into your medicine-making practice. For example, dried cedar and juniper berries can be used to create a nourishing Cedarwood and Sage Bath Soak—perfect for soothing dry, chapped skin. You can read more about how to make this bath soak and its benefits here.
Another wonderful way to use dried evergreens is in creating a cedar-infused witch hazel skin toner. This toner harnesses the astringent and anti-inflammatory properties of witch hazel combined with the antimicrobial and skin-soothing benefits of cedar. The result is a refreshing and effective herbal toner that’s perfect for toning and revitalizing the skin. If you’d like to learn more about this cedar-infused witch hazel toner and how to make it, you can check out my full guide here.
More Resources for Evergreen Medicine Making
If you’re inspired to delve deeper into the world of evergreen medicine, I have several other articles that explore the medicinal and practical uses of these sacred plants:
Pine Resin: Harvesting and Using Nature’s Gift: Learn how to ethically harvest and use pine resin for a variety of remedies, from salves to incense. Read the full article here.
Creating a Relaxing Herbal Bath Soak: Discover a simple recipe for making your own herbal bath soak featuring dried evergreens to calm and restore the body. Explore the recipe here.
Natural Pine Cleaning Spray: Learn how to create a powerful, non-toxic cleaning spray infused with the antimicrobial properties of pine needles. This is a great way to bring the fresh, invigorating scent of the forest into your home. Read more here.
Pine Needle Cough Syrup: Make a soothing cough syrup using pine needles to support respiratory health and ease congestion naturally. Find the full recipe here.
Pine Needle-Infused Honey: Infuse honey with pine needles to create a unique, immune-boosting sweetener that’s perfect for teas, desserts, and more. Learn how to make it here.
Spruce Tip Tincture and Its Benefits: Discover how to make a spruce tip tincture, along with its numerous health benefits, including supporting the immune system and respiratory health. Check out the recipe here.
Wildcrafting Spruce Tip Syrup: Learn how to create a delicious spruce tip syrup that can be used in culinary dishes or as a medicinal remedy for respiratory support. Explore the full guide here.
These articles offer a deeper understanding of how to work with these sacred plants, whether you’re creating skincare, household products, or herbal remedies. Each of these preparations brings the essence of evergreens into your daily life and helps preserve their healing properties for year-round use.
Final Thoughts
Working with evergreens is a beautiful way to connect with the land and the teachings of those who came before us. By engaging with these sacred plants, we nurture reciprocal relationships that honor both the plants and our own well-being. Building these relationships means approaching evergreens with respect and gratitude, recognizing them as living beings with their own life force and gifts to share. When we harvest, dry, and use evergreens in our medicine-making practices, we are participating in a cycle of giving and receiving—one that fosters a deep sense of connection and responsibility to the natural world.
Reciprocal relationships with plants are essential because they remind us to take only what we need, ensure the sustainability of our harvesting practices, and give back to the land in meaningful ways, whether through offerings, replanting, or caring for the ecosystems that support these plants. This respectful exchange not only strengthens our bond with nature but also helps preserve traditional wisdom and practices for future generations. By working with evergreens, we keep these ancient relationships alive, honoring our ancestors and ensuring that the land continues to thrive and provide for all who dwell upon it.
Disclaimer:
The Outdoor Apothecary website is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. The information provided is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, it is the reader’s responsibility to ensure proper plant identification and usage.
Please be aware that some plants are poisonous or can have serious adverse health effects. We are not health professionals, medical doctors, or nutritionists. It is essential to consult with qualified professionals for verification of nutritional information, health benefits, and any potential risks associated with edible and medicinal plants mentioned on this website.
