What to Grow
Basil- Stimulates and tones the skin. It makes an ideal body scrub when combined with sea salt and vegetable oil.
Chamomile- Is renowned for its healing and sedative qualities. An infusion makes an ideal eye bath, helping to reduce puffiness and dark circles. Make chamomile into a poultice for wounds, blemishes and acne.
Mint- Is perhaps best known for freshening the breath, but when made into a poultice it is effective on chapped hands.
Parsley- minimizes freckles and when infused is an effective hair conditioner. Its antiseptic qualities make it an ideal ingredient in a face steam or bath for those with dry skin.
Rosemary- Helps stimulate circulation, making it an ideal ingredient for a bath or face steam. The infusion is also a good rinse for dark hair.
Sage- Is an effective deodorant, tooth whitener and polish. It’s a gentle astringent and the infusion makes an ideal hair rinse.
Thyme- Provides an aromatic bath or face steam. It’s a good dandruff deterrent when infused with rosemary.
Tips for your garden.
Herb Garden
- After you choose your plants, separate perennials from annuals and plant according to anticipated height for easy care and harvesting.
- Keep your herbs pesticide free- there are herbs you can plant to deter insects.
- Dry herbs on rack in the sun and seal in clean dark-glass containers. They should keep for several months.
How to use your herbs
There are numerous ways to extract the natural healing properties from herbs.
- Infusion- is like making a pot of tea. Place fresh or dried herbs in a glass container of freshly boiled water, then seal. Use 500ml of water to one tablespoon of chopped fresh, or two tablespoons of dried herbs. Allow to cool, and then strain the liquid. Infusions will keep for one week in the refrigerator.
- Juice- your herbs in a juicer or blender with a few tablespoons of water or cold-pressed grape or olive oil. Use this poultice-like mixture as a face, skin or hair mask.
- Vapour Baths- are ideal for clearing up the skin and lungs. Sprinkle herbs into a bath or basin of warm to hot water. Steam your face or relax in a warm herb bath.
Tip-
Never boil herbs as they will lose their volatile oils and healing qualities.
Quick and Easy Recipes
Home-grown herbs can be the essential ingredients for shampoos, moisturisers, lip balms, toothpaste, deodorants and soap. Here are two recipes to try
Herbal Hair Rise
Use to- stimulate the scalp, help control dandruff, improve condition and shine of hair and promote hair growth.
What to do- combine two tablespoons of chopped rosemary or chamomile flower with three cups of freshly boiled water. Allow herbs to infuse and let cool. Strain and pour infusion over wet shampooed hair. Don’t rinse the infusion out. Towel the hair dry in usual manner.
Herbal Skin Tonic
Use to- Gently soothe and revitalise sensitive skin.
What to do- Combine two tablespoons dried or one tablespoon fresh of whichever herbs you fancy with 2/3 cup of boiled milk. Infuse, let cool in the refrigerator then strain. This tonic keeps for three to five days only. Use as a skin tonic after your usual cleansing routine. Leave on for one to three minutes before rinsing with tepid water.