Flower & Herb Drying
Air Drying:
Air-drying can be very successful with herbs, everlastings and ornamental grasses. Choose perfect plants with long stems, removing the lower leaves. Put the flowers in small bunches, fastening them together with a rubber band; then open each bunch into a fan shape. Hang the flowers head down from nails in a dry, dark place for one to three weeks until they are completely dry. The colors will usually be muted. Display your flowers in the house or store them as above. This method works with roses as well. Cut the stems off to the very bottom of the rose head, and carefully insert a 6-8" length of wire. Hang upside down by bending the end of the wire over a hanger and place in a dark dry closet where it won't be disturbed. One hanger can accomodate several flowers, just space them apart a bit.
~ © 2001 Barbara Morris
* TIP *Try storing dried roses heads in a cardboard egg carton. They stay upright and don't get squashed. The natural holes in the carton helps with ventilation and you could sprinkle a small amount of silica gel in the bottom of the carton to help keep humidity out.
Flower & Herb Waters
Rose & Rosemary Water
3 tbsp dried rosemary or 6 tbsp fresh rosemary
2 tbsp dried or fresh rose petals
4 cups water
1 Vitiman 'C' tablet(presertive)
Combine all ingredients in a small glass or enameled pan. Bring water JUST to a simmerand shut heat. Add herbs/flowers. Steep for 20 mins. *This process can be repeated using the same water and more herbs/flowers for a stronger scent. Add a vitamin 'C' tablet while mixture is still warm. * Cool to room temperature, then strain out the herbs. Put liquid in a bottle with a lid and dab on with cotton, OR put it in a spray bottle and spray on your face and body. This rinse will remove any traces of soap on your face. Refrigerate between uses.
You can use any flower or herb of your choice, other fav's of mine are Lavender, Lemon Verbana, Witch Hazel, Marigold. I also use my Flower/Herb waters to cleanse my Altar and magical tools.
~ © 2001 Barbara Morris
Herbal Steam Facial
I also sometimes treat my self to an Herbal facial. here's how you can try this "spa-like" treatment in your own home:
Bring 4 cups of water to a simmer and add 4 tablespoons of an herb like lavender to a teapot. Pour boiling water over herbs in teapot, cover teapot. Sit at table and cover head with towel, slowly pour steaming herb/water mix into deep bowl, do 1/3 of the water at a time. Allow the steam to build up around your face, but be careful of the hot water. The steam will do wonders for your face, skin is moister and younger looking, feeling. Do not steam longer than 20 mins. Use an astringent immediately after steam while pores are open, for best results.
~ © 2001 Barbara Morris
