Recommendations for harvesting medicinal plants:
(1) The plants should be harvested at a season and time that will optimize product quality.
(2) Harvesting should be done to minimize moisture that might result in mold or spoilage.
(3) Harvesting tools should be sharp, clean and well-maintained.
(4) During the harvest all attempts should be made to minimize contamination with soil, other plants and things from the environment (foreign bodies, insects, animals, etc).
(5) Harvesting is more efficient if non-medicinal or damaged parts of the plants are discarded during the initial collection.
(6) The harvested plants should be captured in some type of container and not left on the ground.
(7) Containers used to hold the harvested plants should be clean and free of contamination and residue from previous uses. Plastic bags should be avoided if conditions favor composting of the collected material.
(8) Containers should be filled properly. Containers should not be overfilled, crushed or mishandled.
Moisture is minimized by avoiding:
(1) dew
(2) precipitation (rain or snow)
(3) high humidity
Immediate handling should include:
(1) rapid delivery to the processing station
(2) transport and initial storage in a dry, covered containers that protect against animal, pest, chemical and other environmental contamination
(3) drying if excessive moisture is present
(4) temperature control
(5) inspection to remove decomposing plants or contaminants
