Capsules: Making Herbal Powders

Allspice * Bacopa * Black Pepper * Cinnamon * Echinacea * Milk Thistle Seed * Nutmeg * Peppermint * Sage * Turmeric *

Powdering herbs is a three step process - drying, grinding and sifting. Powders are used to make herbal capsules, in body powders, tooth powders, and for making spices for cooking and baking recipes. This may seem like a lot of work considering that most herbs and spices are widely available for sale already finely powdered. The problem is powdered herbs lose their potency, flavor, and aroma very quickly - even when properly stored. The quality of freshly powdered herbs makes it is well worth the effort

Bulk Herbs	Bitters & Syrups	Herbal Extracts	Herbal Health

1. Start with herbs that are dried and brittle. Break them into small enough pieces to fit into a coffee/herb grinder either by hand, or by using a food processor.
Grind the plant material into a fine consistency as you can with an electric coffee/herb grinder.
2. Often there will be still some gravel-like chunky pieces left in the mix. This may not be a concern when using the herbs in a body powder or in capsules, but for spices used in cooking such as cinnamon, allspice and ginger you want to be sure take the next step.
3. Position a fine mesh kitchen strainer over a bowl and use a pestle (or the back of a spoon) to sift and press the ground spices through the mesh. Store the powder in a clean jar with a tight fitting lid. You can save any small, hard pieces that remain in the strainer for use in tea.

Making your own herbal capsules at home is not hard,and can save you money. However the best reason to do "roll your own" is that you can insure the quality and freshness of the material. Start with bulk, powdered herbs, or roots, seed and leaf that you can grind into powder yourself. (more trouble, but fresher). You will need to invest in a herb grinder, empty gel capsules, and a encapsulating device. I use the "Capsule Machine", from Mountain Rose and get good results.