Hints for Herbs

These herb recipes have been collected from various sources. 

Their suitability for use must be determined by the user. 

No recommendation for any medical or food use is intended.

 

Storing Herbs

For long term storage of dry herbs use a mason or freezer bag.  Placing dried herbs in the freezer helps retain freshness.

 

Grinding Herbs

To grind herbs you can go tried and true with a mortar and pestle, or modern  and easy by having a coffee grinder set aside specifically for herbs.

 

Drying Herbs

To easily dry herbs you can use a dehydrator, or even better cut the herbs and make small bundles tied together and attached to a hanger.  Hang in a cool dry spot then use a fan to speed drying with air circulation.

 

 

Foot refresher

                ½ cup ground dried Peppermint

                ½ cup ground dried Rosemary

                ½ cup ground dried lavender

Mix and store dry in an airtight container

 

For Soak

½ cup herbal mix

1 gallon boiling water

Let steep for 10 mins.

Add rose petals and 2 tablespoons glycerin.

Add some ice to cool  so you don’t scald yourself.

Stick in tired feet and relax!

 

 

 

Herbal Teas

When making teas it is better to grind herbs before mixing so they mix evenly and brew better.

When brewing loose teas a French press works wonders.

Mix herbs and store in an airtight container or jar.

Always sweeten herbal teas with honey as it is healthier than refined sugars

and may have other  health benefits

 

Happy Tea

Equal Parts (We recommend ½ cups)

                Lemon balm

                Chamomile flowers

                Lavender flowers

                Passion flowers and leaves

                Spearmint or Peppermint

Use 1 heaping tablespoon herb mixture per cup of boiling water.  Steep 5-10 mins.  Then strain, add honey to taste, and enjoy.

 

Lemon Lovers

Equal Parts (We recommend ½ cups)

                Lemon balm

                Lemon verbena

                Lemon grass

                Dried lemon zest

Use 2 heaping tablespoons herb mixture per cup of boiling water.  Steep 5-10 mins.  Then strain, add honey to taste, and enjoy.

 

Licorice Delight

Equal Parts (We recommend ½ cups)

                Fennel seeds

                Anise 

                Hyssop leaves

                Cinnamon

                Basil

Use 2 heaping tablespoons herb mixture per cup of boiling water.  Steep 5-10 mins.  Then strain, add honey to taste, and enjoy.

 

Mad about Mint

Equal Parts (We recommend ½ cups)

                Peppermint

                Spearmint

                Lemon mint

Use 2 heaping tablespoons herb mixture per cup of boiling water.  Steep 5-10 mins.  Then strain, add honey to taste, and enjoy.

 

Tension Easer

Equal Parts (We recommend ½ cups)

                Chamomile flower

                Lemon basil

                Raspberry leaves

Use 2 heaping tablespoons herb mixture per cup of boiling water.  Steep 5-10 mins.  Then strain, add honey to taste, and enjoy.

 

Fresh and Fruity

Equal Parts (We recommend ½ cups)

                Pineapple mint

                Orange mint

                Apple mint

                Ginger mint

Use 2 heaping tablespoons herb mixture per cup of boiling water.  Steep 5-10 mins.  Then strain, add honey to taste, and enjoy.

 

Cup-o-Calmness

Equal Parts (We recommend ½ cups)

                Catnip leaves

                Lavender blossoms and leaves

                Lemon balm

                Rose petals

Use 2 heaping tablespoons herb mixture per cup of boiling water.  Steep 5-10 mins.  Then strain, add honey to taste, and enjoy.

 

 

Skin Drinks

n       If you have normal to oily skin a  natural way to remove excess oil and shine is

Add 1 cup dried peppermint or lemon balm to 2 cups boiling water.

Steep over night, strain, bottle, and chill.

 

n       If you have itchy-rashy skin this will fix the itch

Add ½ cup crushed fennel seed to 1 cup boiling water.

Steep 10 mins, strain, bottle, and chill.  Spray on affected area.

 

n       If you have dry chapped skin

Add ¼ cup chamomile to 1½ cups boiling water.

Steep over night, strain, bottle, and chill.

Spritz on skin for a return of moisture and softness.

 

n       To refresh your mind, body, and spirit

Add ¼ cup lavender flowers and ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract to 1½ cups boiling water.

Steep over night, strain, bottle, and chill

 

 

Dream Pillows

 

2 10” x 10” Square of soft fabric

1 needle and thread

Buckwheat groats – Available at any whole foods store

Herbs of your choice

 

Double stitch fabric pieces together leaving a space to stuff.

Fill with buckwheat groats and your choice of

 

Outdoor Dreams

Dried and ground spruce, balsam, pine needles, mugwort and lemon balm

 

Romantic Dreams

Dried and ground lavender, rose petals, chamomile, catnip, and hops.

  ** If you have a cat you might want to leave out the catnip.

 

Vivid Color Dreams

Dried and ground lemon grass, marigold flowers, mugwort

 

Your Dreams

Any dried and ground herbs work in these pillows.

 

Natural Salts and Scrubs

Dry sensitive skin

1 cup whole milk

1 cup ground oatmeal

Rose water

Make a paste then massage into face or body and rinse clean.

 

Oily  skin

¼ ground oatmeal

¼ cup ground almond

¼ cup sea salt

1/8 cup peppermint or rosemary

1 tablespoon cinnamon

Store in a jar in the refrigerator.  To use, add enough fresh lemon  juice and witchhazel to form a paste.  This is also good for break outs on your back

 

Normal Skin

½ cup ground sunflower seeds

½ cup ground oatmeal

¼ cup ground rose petals

Rose water and apple sauce to moisten

Store mix in a jar in the refrigerator .Make a paste then massage into face or body and rinse clean.

 

 

Rose Water

2 cups rose petals

2 cups boiling water

Let set over night strain and store in refrigerator up to 3 weeks

 

Milk Bath

½ cup ground oatmeal

½ cup whole powdered milk

2 tablespoons ground lavender

Tie up in a cloth and put in tub while water fills.  Then use to scrub body softly.