| Using garden herbs to scent their homes have | | | | strewing herbs all over the place indoors. |
| been popular through the ages. In this article we're | | | | Today we don't have Nero's sanitation problems, |
| going to show how to make herb garden gifts to | | | | but we still continue the tradition of creating a nice |
| scent pillows, bath water, and even potpourri. | | | | fresh smell in the rooms we live in with herbs. |
| To make scented throw pillows, make a 5" x 7" | | | | There are many recipes for potpourri but only |
| pillow to match your decor and fill it with a sachet | | | | two methods of preparation, moist and dry. The |
| mixture of your choice. A mix of equal parts | | | | moist method is a bit old fashioned, and the |
| rosemary blossoms, rosemary leaves and pine | | | | process causes the herbs to lose their color, so |
| needles dried and thoroughly crushed, make a nice | | | | the dry method only is discussed here. |
| combination. | | | | First, dry roses, petals and buds of the most |
| Well known for soothing frazzled nerves, a | | | | fragrant varieties you have on hand. Sprinkle the |
| scented bath is also considered a true luxury by | | | | mix with a light layer of un-iodized salt, and then |
| many women and a lot of men if they would | | | | add more herbs and dried flowers of your choice. |
| admit it. And even young children enjoy the | | | | Blue borage, stars, yellow calendula, bachelor |
| experience. To make an herb concoction that will | | | | buttons, or other bright small flowers work well. |
| please everyone, dry large quantities of lemon | | | | Be aware that all herbs and flowers must be dried |
| balm, lemon verbena, sweet marjoram, | | | | before you add them to the roses. As you add |
| rosemary, any of the mints, lavender, and rose | | | | more flowers and herbs to the mix, add more |
| germanium. Substitute any fragrant leaves as you | | | | salt. When the mixture is well dried, add a little bit |
| choose. After the herbs are dry, put them in | | | | of powdered cloves, mace, and cinnamon (about |
| fancy glass jars to give as a gift. | | | | a quarter of an ounce) and the same amount of |
| For a bath, steep about a half cup - more is OK | | | | crushed coriander, cardamom seed, powered gum |
| -- of the herb mix in boiling water for about 15-20 | | | | benzoic and gum storax. Leave the mixture tightly |
| minutes. Strain the result into the bath water. | | | | closed in a glass jar for about a month before |
| Step in, lie back, and enjoy pure luxury. | | | | using. |
| In the days of Nero and earlier, sanitation and | | | | Herbs make a nice addition to any dried flower |
| ventilation were not on the top of anyone's list as | | | | mix for any occasion. Enjoy what you make |
| a thing to be concerned about. To combat the evil | | | | yourself, and extend the joy with a gift to those |
| smells people created from not washing or | | | | people who are very special in your life. |
| cleaning up, they covered up the problem by | | | | |