How to store dried spices—in general:
–Make sure that the containers are airtight. Moisture can cause your freshly ground spices to cake/go moldy.
–Be sure to keep your spice shelf away from strong, direct light, especially if your spices are packed in clear jars.
–And always keep your spices away from all heat sources, but still keep [...]
For a very festive touch, package this fragrant mood-enhancing Christmas Spice Potpourri in small gold net bags or in small white boxes tied with a good cord and a tag explaining its ingredients: From the Middle East– the birth of great religions– the aroma of Frankincense represents life, and Myrrh is a symbol of suffering: [...]
This is a wonderful holiday blend whose scents are closely associated with the joyous Christmas season.
The balsam scent takes us outdoors, remembering the search for our ‘perfect’ Christmas tree with the cool crisp wintery air nipping at our noses! The cinnamon, allspice, and cloves aroma rekindles fond memories of Mom’s holiday baking coming fresh from [...]
Spicy Winter Christmas Potpourri
Visually relaxing and evoking fond memories of Christmas seasons past, Spicy Winter Christmas Basket potpourri is so fragrant it will last the whole season long without needing any preservatives. (For more potpourri ideas; herbal recipes for food—how to make different cheeses, Boursin, mustards, spice blends, etc; herbal healing; natural hair preparations; all [...]
Simple Odor-eating Fragrant Simmer
During this busy season, or whenever your time is at a premium, and you need a quick method to freshen the air in your home, your microwave will again prove to be very useful. Whether in-laws have just phoned informing that they are on their way for a impromptu visit, or [...]
From ancient times onward, herbs have been used to ensure a good night’s sleep. An herbal garden was common among both the wealthy and their peasants. In North America, the art of making herbal pillows and sachets to induce a good nights sleep, soothe and calm ragged nerves, relieve a nagging headache or migraine, or [...]
Lavender Sachets—Lavender sachets are always a welcome gift, and several sachets kept among the linens (or hung in a closet), will impart a fragrance that makes clean sheets even more inviting. These little sachets and pillows have long been made and used by most of our grandmothers. That is another reason that the lavender aroma [...]
Herbal Love Pillow—It has long been rumored that if you wish to dream of the one you love and will eventually marry, to place a piece of wedding cake under your pillow at night. The resulting dream that night, is said to be an accurate depiction of your married life. An easier way to induce [...]
Soothing Herbs for a Restful Night’s Sleep
Hop pillows have long been known for their sleep-inducing properties, but more conventional modern herbal mixtures are just as effective and can also be used to give a general pleasing fragrance to a room. This mixture is a useful basic recipe, but any dried herbs of your choice can [...]
An Effective Herbal Headache Cure —Lavender has long been proven and used as an effective aid in easing headache pain. Combined with the pleasing scent of lemon verbena which is known to reduce nervous tension and lighten your spirits, and the marjoram which soothes asthmatic complaints, this is a simple to make and an effective [...]