Focus
on Herbs:
Herbal gifts for the holidays
by
Lynne Latella
Holidays
are traditionally a time of gift giving. Amid the ever-increasing
commercialism
of the season, wouldn’t it be nice to have some of the experiences of
yesteryear,
when gifts were homemade with love and attention to detail? Gifts can
be made
from the garden or with the help of the Coop, with its vast assortment
of herbs
and spices? Whatever the source, now’s the time to start making those
homemade gifts
from the heart. Here are a few ideas for perfect presents to give to
friends, coworkers,
neighbors and family members. Put them in distinctive containers, such
as
decorated glass jars, tins, plastic bags tied with festive ribbons or
burlap bags
trimmed in raffia adorned with acorns, dried berries or the like.
Proportionally increase the ingredients for each recipe in order to
make
multiple bags. (Ingredients should be the dried variety.)
Aromatic
Sachet
Mix
together 4 TBS each of lavender and thyme, and 2 TBS of lemon balm.
Fill small bags
to be placed in dresser drawers.
Flowery
Sachet
Blend
2 oz. of dried lavender flowers, ½ oz. each of dried rose
petals, rosemary,
mint and thyme; and 1 oz. of scented geranium leaves. Place in an
airtight
container for several weeks, shaking a few times each week. A few drops
of an
essential oil of choice can be added to the mixture, before packing
into cloth
bags.
Culinary
Herbal Mixture
Combine
1 TBS each of dried basil, marjoram, summer savory, and thyme; 1
crushed bay
leaf; and 1 tsp each of lavender and fennel seed. Use as a rub for
poultry,
fish or meat before roasting, and as a seasoning for salads, sauces,
soups and
stews.
Winter
Simmering Mixture
Mix
together ½ cup each of dried peppermint and broken cinnamon
sticks. To use: Place
about 2 TBS of the mixture in a pan of water. Simmer, adding more water
as
needed, to impart a pleasant scent throughout the house.
Herbal
Bath
Tea
Mix
together 1 TBS each of chamomile flowers, old fashioned oatmeal, dried
lavender
buds and calendula petals or rose petals; and 2 TBS of Epsom salts. To
use: Fill
a muslin or cheesecloth bag, tightly tied, and place in a bowl or mug.
Pour 1
cup boiling water over it and steep about 15 minutes. Add the tea to
bath
water. The muslin bag can be used to rub over the skin.
Herbal
Foot Soak
Mix
together ¼ cup each of lavender buds and lemon peel, 1 TBS of
rosemary, and 2
TBS each of oatmeal and almond meal. (The oatmeal and almonds can be
ground
together in a blender.) Place ingredients in a muslin or cheesecloth
bag, tightly
tied. To use: Boil 3 cups of water and add the herb bundle.
Remove from
heat and steep about 15 minutes. Place the herbal water in a container
in which
the liquid will cover the feet. Soak 15 minutes.
Happy
Tea Mixture
Combine
½ cup each of chamomile flowers and calendula or rose petals, 2
TBS of grated
lemon peel, ¼ cup of peppermint, and 1 TBS of whole cloves.
Store in an
airtight container. Use ½ tsp of tea to 8 oz. of boiling water,
and steep for about
5 minutes or less. Strain and drink, sweetened with honey or maple
syrup, if desired.
Hand
and Body Lotion
Combine
together 8 tsp of borax and ¼ cup distilled water, and set
aside. Heat ½ cup of
sweet almond oil and 1 TBS of grated beeswax over low heat until the
wax is
almost melted. Remove from heat and stir until blended. Heat the borax
and water
until almost boiling. Slowly pour it into the wax and oil mixture,
stirring
with a wire whisk. Add 4–5 drops of an essential oil such as rose,
lemon,
lavender or rose geranium. Cool and pour into a decorative container.
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