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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. |
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In my view, the right place for insects is outside the house. Since humans began living indoors, herbs have been used to keep them there.
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SPICY PROTECTIONTo keep insects out of the wardrobe and make your clothes smell delicious, try pomanders. Elizabethan women hung pomanders in elaborately jeweled cases around their neck or from their belt to ward off illness and unpleasant smells. Their pomanders were often made from balls of ambergris, a musky-smelling substance found washed up on the shore. We now know that it comes from the stomach of the sperm whale, but the substance was a complete mystery to ancient perfumiers. A ball of precious ambergris would be placed into the jeweled case on a bed of carefully chosen aromatic herbs. |
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The pomanders we make today are meant to suggest a little of the Elizabethan style but are far too big to hang around your neck! I tie mine with gold or silver ribbon and add a few beads or tassels to try to recapture some of the grandeur originally given to them and hang them in cupboards, wardrobes and small rooms. |
Orange and Clove PomanderYou will need:A small thin-skinned orange Tie a narrow ribbon twice around an orange so that the orange is divided into four sections. Push the cloves into the skin of the orange (you may find it easier to make holes with a darning needle first) until you have neatly covered all four quadrants. Roll the orange in the cinnamon and orris root, patting the powder in well. Wrap in greaseproof paper and leave in a cool dry place for five to six weeks, or two weeks in a warm dry place like an airing cupboard. Dust off the powder, replace the ribbon with something more dazzling, and hang it in the wardrobe or in a linen cupboard. |
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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:
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