Fresh plants have stronger healing properties than dried plants, but a fresh plant cannot be sustained for long. The main purpose of drying is to remove water from the plants and stop or weaken the activity of the enzymes. The faster the plant dries, the better the quality. The quality of the medicinal product raw material greatly depends on its drying. Only occasionally it is processed without drying.
The raw material containing essential oils is dried at a temperature not exceeding 40° C. Plants containing alkaloids, glycosides, mucus, yeasts, saponins are dried at 50-60° C. The juicy fruits are first ripened at a lower temperature, then dried at 70-80° C.
Direct sunlight destroys many of the active ingredients and, with the exception of some fruits, seeds, roots and rhizomes, it should be dried in a well-ventilated area protected from direct sunlight. The raw material dries better if applied in a thin layer and turned from time to time (not always raw material can be turned).
The dried raw material is stored in a dry, dark, cool, well-ventilated room. It is packed in bags, containers, boxes, etc., depending on the type of herb.