How to Store Herbs and Oils for Long-Lasting Potency

Whether you keep five herbs or fifty, how you store them determines how long they’ll keep their power. Dried botanicals are alive in their own quiet way — aromatic, delicate, reactive to light and air.

For Herbs:

  • Use glass jars with tight lids. Avoid plastic, which leaches odors.

  • Keep away from heat and direct sunlight. A cool cupboard is best.

  • Label and date each jar. Herbs like Chamomile or Lemon Balm stay vibrant for up to a year; roots and barks, often longer.

  • Buy by the ounce. It ensures freshness and rotation — one reason Lhasa Karnak sells in small, hand-packed sizes.

For Oils:

  • Store hand-poured oils in dark glass bottles.

  • Keep carrier oils (like Jojoba or Almond) tightly sealed and cool.

  • Avoid bathroom humidity; a bedroom shelf or closet works best.

A good rule: if it no longer smells like the plant, it’s time to refresh it.
Re-stocking small amounts keeps you connected to the season and ensures your blends stay potent and aromatic.