|
People everywhere are hungry for clear, practical, scientifically-validated information about how to make safe and simple use of herbs in their day to day lives. I too was once hungry for this kind of information. I discovered that working (and playing) with herbs did not need to be complex and confusing. It could be sheer pleasure. For me it was like walking down a path where a wonderful surprise is revealed at every turn. |
|
Some of the most powerful message carriers are the essential oils of plants the distilled essences of leaves, fruits, flowers, bark and roots. They are brimming with structural information the complex energies of life itself.
|
|
COLOR, SCENT AND SPICE There is no strict recipe for making potpourri You can create your mixture from anything you like to look at, anything you like to smell, or whatever is in season when you begin. You will need some color (leaves and petals), some scent (herbs), a little spice if you like (you can even raid the kitchen cupboards for this), a few drops of essential oil, and a fixative (see below). Try not to use anything that has been sprayed with pesticides or herbicides and don’t use metal containers or utensils as the metal can react with the ingredients to alter the smell. |
FRESH PICKINGS How to dry your herbs
|
SPICE IT UP When you are ready to make your pot pourri, see what spices you have in your kitchen cupboards. Spices, especially beautifully shaped ones like star anise, look wonderful scattered through any potpourri Remember to freshly grind a little of each spice you use to add to the potpourri with the whole spices to make full use their aroma. Mix your herbs, leaves, flowers, and spices of choice and put it into an airtight container. It is at this point that you can decide whether you would like to add a little extra something to your mix by including essential oils. Two of my favorites for potpourri are geranium and lavender. Use essential oils sparingly as they can completely overwhelm any other scent. Add them drop by smallest drop at a time. |
|
FIX IT Using a fixative preserves the fragrance of your potpourri by slowing down the evaporation of essential oils. I use orris root – the powdered root of the Florentine iris. It has been known to cause allergic reactions in some people, so if you find you have a problem with it try dried, ground rosemary leaves, or dried ground vetivert root instead. I buy my orris root by the bag from my local health food store. You will need about a tablespoon of fixative to 2 pints of potpourri Add it to your mixture and close the lid of your airtight jar. You will want to leave your potpourri for four to six weeks to allow the fragrances to blend. Give the jar a shake once a week and check it to see if the mixture is neither too wet nor too dry. If you think it is too wet, add a little extra orris root powder. If too dry then add a little ordinary salt. When your potpourri is ready pour some of it into bowls around the house. Store the remainder sealed in a jar in a cool dark place. It should keep well so you can use it when and where you like later. |
|
To get you started here is one of my favorite recipes:
|
|
BE PROFESSIONAL Whenever you make your own potpourri, take time to make a note of the ingredients and quantities you use. This way you can recreate something you particularly liked. Believe me you’ll never manage it again if you don’t write it down! As you become more experienced you might like to try putting together your potpourris the way ‘noses’ create perfume. Choose a main scent, which will be the bulk of the herbs you use. Then carefully consider which spices, woods, and essential oils, in your opinion, go well with that base scent. Remember, you only want to enhance it not to overwhelm it. This way you can begin to make potpourri that has your own distinctive style. |
|
The classic definition of a herb is a non-woody plant which dies down to its roots each winter. This definition is far too limiting. It was probably made up by 19th Century European botanists who had never seen the rainforest in which, of course there is no winter to die back in. Neither had they ever heard of woody trees and shrubs such as hawthorn and ginko and elder which are some of the best selling herbs on the market these days. I define a herb as a medicinal plant. It can come from any climate and be a leaf, a bark, a flower or a root. It can be home-grown or wild, a weed, a spice, a plant which is used for its healing or culinary or beautifying properties. Once you discover the power of herbs it is easy to become so enthusiastic about them you go overboard trying to use them for everything. It is not wise to take lots of different plants all at the same time. Or you might start to think that since a small amount of something is good for you, taking twice or three times that amount will be even better. It isn’t. If you want safe and sane herbal help here are a few guidelines to follow:
Herbs This Week Archives |
