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Every year Mother Nature fills her garden with wonderful flowers and herbs that can be used to make not only arts and crafts, but also teas, cosmetics, household products, and delicious recipes. Some I'm sure you've heard of. Others, perhaps not. Here are just a few for your perusal. Fresh Herbal Wreath For this project you will need a selection of herb leaves such as bay, lavender cotton, lavender, rosemary, and sage. You will also need a selection of herb flowers such as chamomile, chive, feverfew, lady's mantle, lavender, and oregano. Green twine With one end of the twine tied to the ring frame, press handfuls of hay against the frame and bind it on with twine. Gather the herb leaves and flowers into small posies, either of separate or mixed plant materials, cutting the stems to equal length and binding them with the silver wire. (NOTE: Keep the posies in water until you are ready to complete the decoration). Bend each stub wire into a U-shaped staple. While holding one of the posies flat against the covered frame, secure the stems in place with the staple. Continue positioning successive posies so that the heads of each one cover the stems of the one before. Continue around the ring in this way. For best results, hang your wreath in a dry room away from direct sunlight. Essential Oils Essential oils, when used in body massage, are absorbed by different tissues in the body and reinforce our own natural healing process. They are highly concentrated and must be diluted before use. No more than 5 drops of essential oil is added to a base or carrier oil. The base may be a single oil such s grapeseed, peanut, hazelnut walnut, soybean, almond, or a combination of two or more of these oils. (Note: one teaspoon of this mixture is usually enough for a complete body massage). The following is a list of essential oils and their use in aromatherapy: Sandalwood - Used to combat anxiety and reduce nervous tensions. Jasmine - Used to aid relaxation, sleep, and to soothe anxiety. Ylang ylang - Used as both a sedative and an antidepressant. Use this oil sparingly! Frankincense - Used to produce a calming effect. Neroli - Relaxing yet stimulating. Used to ease nervous tension, anxiety, and encourage sleep. Lavender - Used as a relaxant and to steady the nerves. Bergamot - Used to lift depression and encourage a more positive outlook. Chamomile - Used to calm anxiety and dispel anger. Melissa - Used to lift depression and induce a sense of well-being. Rosemary - Used to lift exhaustion and stimulate the senses. Coriander - Used as a stimulant to combat tiredness and lethargy. Rose - Used to ease tension and soothe anxiety.
Rose Garden Potpourri 2 C
dried damask or apothecary rose petals To make this potpourri, all the materials must be completely dry. Mix them together with the spices and other fragrances and store them in a covered jar for 3 to 4 days (stirring daily). Add the fixative and essential oil, cover, and leave for six weeks (stirring daily). The potpourri will them be ready for use.
Rose Petal Beads These beads will last for many years and retain their fragrance. Body heat releases their scent. Place one (1) pound of red rose petals in an enamel pan and add enough water to cover. Simmer very slowly for one hour - do not boil. Cover and let stand over night. Repeat these steps three more times. By day 4, the petals and water will have become a smooth paste. Taking a small amount, roll it between your palms forming a bead 1/4 inch in diameter. Pierce each bead with a needle (for stringing) and let the beads dry on newspaper in a warm closet. Thread the beads onto silk thread adding the findings of your choice to complete your necklace. Note: the finished beads will be a polished red sienna color.
Lavender I don't believe there are many people who are unfamiliar with lavender, its scent, or its delicate flower spikes. We are most familiar, perhaps, with its use in soap, its aromatic scent as a relaxant, or its use in potpourri, but did you know, when made into a tea, it may also relieve a headache and nervousness, that it can be used as a moth deterrent, or used in furniture polish? Read on McDuff. Lavender Tisane As with all tisanes (teas), they should be made in a glass or china pot dedicated to this special use. Ordinary teas leave a residue in the pot (tannin) masking the flavor of the herb and detracting from the sense of well-being derived from drinking the tea. When taking a tisane for a medicinal purpose, rather than socially, it is recommended that the tea be taken two to three times per day, after meals. Drinking tisanes before meals may upset the digestion and is not recommended. As a mild medicinal aid, it may take four to eight weeks to have an effect. As with any treatment, if symptoms continue or worsen, seek the help of a physician. To make lavender tea use 2 level teaspoons of dried herbs or 2 level tablespoons of fresh herbs for each cup. Place the herb in a warmed pot, measure and pour in the required amount of boiling water and cover. Leave the infusion to steep for 10 to 15 minutes - no longer - before straining. (Note: increasing the infusion time will cause a loss of volatile oils through evaporation). Other Uses for Lavender Aches & pains - Use flowers or essential oil to make external massage oil. Burns - Use essential oil diluted in compress or add to St. John's wort infused oil. Earache - Dilute essential oil with almond oil or olive oil and massage outer ear to reduce the risk of infection.. Headaches & migraine - Dilute the combined essential oils of lavender, peppermint, and rosemary as a massage for the temples. Insect bites & stings - Essential oil diluted and applied to sting. Acne - Herbal face wash (see below) Common cold - Steam heat (see below) Bathing - Add a few drops of lavender oil to water for a relaxing bath Hair rinse - Use an infusion of flowers for greasy hair Skin toner - Combine lavender water with witch hazel. (see below) Candles - Add oil or crushed flowers to melted wax for fragrant candles Household cleaners - Flowers are added to beeswax and turpentine in furniture creams (see below) Insect repellent - Hang leaves in closets to deter moths or combine with southernwood and other moth deterrents in muslin bags. Pillow stuffers - Use for scenting linen and lingerie drawers Room fragrances - Burn prunings on an open fire, use flowers in stationery box to scent stationery or use to make potpourri, stems can be used in sachets to scent draws. Herbal Face Wash - Infuse a handful of lavender flowers in 1 pint of boiling water for 10 minutes, cool, strain, and keep in a stoppered bottle in the refrigerator. Splash on the affected areas, or dab on with cotton. Common Cold - Put 8 to 10 drops of lavender, thyme, and eucalyptus oils (any one or a mixture of 2 or 3) into a bowl and pour in 2 cups of boiling water. Cover your head with a towel and inhale. Bath Sachets - Tie the flowers in a piece of cheesecloth and suspend the sachet below the hot-water faucet when running your bath or pack the leaves into a perforated tea infuser and swish under the hot water.. Toning Lotion 5
tbsp lavender water Pour all ingredients into a bottle, seal with a cap or cork, and shake vigorously. Shake well before each use. Furniture Cream Polish 2 oz
beeswax Put the beeswax and turpentine into the top of a double boiler and stir until well blended. Remove from the heat and cool slightly. Put the soap flakes and lavender infusion into a small pan and heat gently. Beat the mixture until it is frothy, then remove from the heat and cool slightly. Stir the lavender mixture into the beeswax to make a thick, creamy consistency. Pour into an airtight tin or covered jar. Cover and label. Makes 2 1/2 cups.
Dandelions The roots can also be used to make magenta, brown, or orange dye. For medicinal purposes, the plant can be used as an appetite stimulant, laxative, or diuretic. Dandelions can also be used for skin care. Like any cosmetic, test these remedies on a small inconspicuous area to make sure you do not have an allergic reaction. As a Cleanser - Infuse a handful of leaves or flowers tied in a cheesecloth into 2 pints of boiling water. When added to your warm bath water, this solution will act as a cleansing agent. To Remove Freckles and Skin Blotches - Add 6 young dandelion leaves, chopped to 6 tablespoons of caster oil. Place the leaves and oil in a small glass or enamel pan over low heat and bring the mixture to the simmering point. Simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, cover, and infuse for 4 to 5 hours. Strain the mixture through a non-metallic strainer, pressing the leaves against the sides to extract as much oil as possible. Bottle, cover, and label. Makes 6 tablespoons. Note: this mixture should not be used more than twice a day.
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