Using Herbs
Baths
Herbal baths can have a great soothing effect on the body, with oils cleansing or rejuvenating the skin, not to mention the calming effect of the scent rising from the water. An added bonus is that you don’t need to use powder or perfume afterwards – the scent can remain with you for hours.
The following herbs can be used individually or in combinations: Angelica, Basil, Chamomile flowers, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Lemon Verbena, Lovage, any of the Mints, Rosemary, Sage or any of the scented Thymes. These herbs can be crushed (not powdered) and placed in muslin bags, or disused women’s stockings. These bags are then placed into a bath to release the perfume into the bathwater.
A Lavender Bath
Mix the following and tie in an old stocking:
- Half a cup of Lavender blossoms.
- Quarter of a cup of Comfrey leaves.
- One teaspoon full of Epsom salts.
- Pour one litre of boiling water over the cloth slowly, catching it in a bucket. Let the bag of herbs then sit in the water for about half an hour to draw.
Use the full litre of the elixir in one bath.
Hair Rinses
Put half a cup of Rosemary leaves in a cheesecloth bag, then soak in two cups of boiling water. After cooling, this can be used as a hair rinse for dark hair. For fair hair, use Chamomile flowers prepared the same way in the same proportions.
A Herbal Aftershave
- Half a cup of distilled water.
- Two tablespoons of a mixture of Chamomile, Rosemary, Sage, Lavender and
- Bay leaves chopped.
- ¼ cup rum
- ¼ cup of alcohol
- One tablespoon of glycerine
- Two tablespoons of orange peel
Combine all ingredients and seal in a glass jar for two to three weeks. Strain off solid material and store in a sealed bottle. Shake well before using.
Scented Lavender Water
- Place a handful of lavender flowers with a litre of vodka in a sealed glass jar.
- Stand for a few weeks in a warm position in the sun.
- Strain off the flower heads through a muslin cloth.
- Repeat the procedure, adding more flowers to the vodka, then straining them off after a few weeks.
Use as a perfume splashed on the face or as a rub for sore muscles.
Lavender Massage Oil
- Add a handful of fresh lavender flowers to one litre of non-aromatic vegetable oil, such as olive oil.
- Leave standing in a warm position in direct sunlight for four days.
- Strain off the flowers through a muslin cloth and collect the oil.
If necessary, the procedure can be repeated with the oil several times until a strong lavender scent develops in the oil.
These were notes from our Aromatherapy course, if you would like to learn more please follow the links below –
Aromatherapy
Herbs
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[01/09/2024 18:23:53]