4Real Forums: in need of some herbs 101

Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.

Active Topics || Favorites || Member List || Search || About Us || Help || Register || Login

Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry

Topic: in need of some herbs 101

Author

Message

<< Prev Topic | Next Topic >>

KackyK
Forum All-Star

Joined: May 22 2007
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1811

Posted: July 09 2010 at 1:36pm \| IP Logged

I'm a total newbie with herbs.

I bought some spearmint and chocolate mint, 2 little plants. I knew enough that they'd grow like wildfire. I put them in a huge huge pot (probably diameter of at least 18inches or more). It's been about 6 weeks and they are really tall, bushy and filing the whole pot! The spearmint went to flower, which a friend of mine said to pluck.

Okay now what? I'm not a tea drinker. I was growing for fun and for the smell, love the smell. I wanted to see if I could make some sort of potpourri or drying or something. I have no idea.

What are some things I could do? I also have a lemon balm plant. It is in a pot too enjoying growing as well!

__________________
KackyK

Mom to 8 - 3 dd, 5ds & 4 babes in heaven

Beginning With the Assumption

Syncletica
Forum Pro

Joined: June 11 2007
Location: Canada
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 450

Posted: Aug 04 2010 at 12:18am \| IP Logged

Well, I've never done potpourri, so I can't give any suggestions for that.

Peppermint and lemon balm are supposed to be good for an upset tummy. Something you may want to try is tincture making.

You can use fresh leaves or you can dry the leaves in a basket in a dark place.

Choose your menstruum. (100 proof alcohol (50%)such as vodka or brandy or rum; or vegetable grade glycerin which you can get at a pharmacy; or even apple cider vinegar.) Each menstruum draws out different qualities of the herb, so you get an even more medicinal product when the tinctures are combined. (Fwiw, I wouldn't use apple cider vinegar - it'll taste awful.)If you use glycerine, mix it with distilled water, a 1:1 ratio.

Once your leaves are picked, go through them removing any dirty or damaged parts. I've read that you're not supposed to wash them, but I don't think it would hurt the tincture if you do, however, don't quote me on that.

Coarsely chop leaves. Place in clean, dry glass jar (1/3 to 1/2 full) and fill with your liquid of choice. Herbs must be covered. Cap the jar tightly with airtight lid.

Label jar with herb, menstruum, and date; place in a spot that's out of direct sunlight for 6 weeks, shaking once a day. Make sure to check daily for the first two weeks to see if the liquid is covering the herbs. This will prevent oxidation. If you need to, add more liquid until they are covered.

At the end of 6 weeks, strain with cheese cloth and use a funnel to pour into dropper bottles. (Or just use regular jars and those tiny medicine cups when you need to give a dose.)

----------------------------------------------

A few years ago I bought a "boo-boo bunny" for my daughter. It was a soft material, kind of like a fleecy felt, and it was filled with a grain and dried peppermint leaves. The directions were to put in a microwave along with a cup of water for no more than 90 seconds at a time so it could heat up, and child could place it on their sore tummy.

----------------------------------------------------

You could even make an herbal oil with peppermint leaves, (make sure they're dried); you'll find plenty of sites online to tell you how, then add some beeswax to it, heat them up, let them cool, and you have some homemade lip balm!

Herbs are lots of fun!

__________________
http://www.casciabooks.com

"Live as though your judge were to meet you today, and you will not fear Him when He does come." - St. Augustine

If you wish to post a reply to this topic you must first login
If you are not already registered you must first register

[Add this topic to My Favorites]

Printable version

Forum Jump

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Hosting and Support provided by theNetSmith.com