Fragrant Herbs “Sweet perfumes work immediately upon the spirits, for their refreshing sweet and healthfull ayres are special preservatives to health, and therefore much to be prised.” – Ralph Austen (1653) MLGC February 18, 2014 Maggi Coene
Dec 17, 2015
Fragrant Herbs“Sweet perfumes work immediately upon the spirits, for their refreshing sweet and healthfull ayres are special preservatives to health, and therefore much to
be prised.” – Ralph Austen (1653)
MLGCFebruary 18, 2014
Maggi Coene
What is an Herb?
Definition: “Plant of which leaves, seeds, or roots are used for food, medicine, scent or flavor”–Annuals, bi-annuals–Perennials–Shrubs–Vines–Trees–Ferns & mushrooms
Sense of Smell
• Personal Scent Response• Historical use of Scent in Aromatherapy– Chinese– Indian Ayurveda– Stillroom in Elizabethan times
• Essentials Oils
Invigorate, Refresh
• Mint family – Spearmint, Peppermint, Applemint and many more.
• Citrus – Lemon, Lime, Orange • Apple – Chamomile and Sweet Briar Rose• Stimulating Trees -- Pines, Cedar, Juniper,
Spruce and Eucalyptus
Focus, Concentration
• Slightly pungent and sharp - Angelica, Bay, Calamint, Catnip, Hyssop, and Oregano
• Rosemary and Basil• Bergamot, Fennel, Lavender, Lemon Balm,
Lemon Verbena, Marjoram, Mint, Wormwood• Pennyroyal, Tansy, Santolina, and
Southernwood• Cedar, Juniper, Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, and Thyme
Relax, Unwind, Sleep
• Lavender • Chamomile• Clary Sage• Lemon Balm• Scented Geranium• Bergamot, Sandalwood, Sweet Marjoram, Sweet
Woodruff• Sweet Violets• Valerian
Pleasure, Leisure
• Flavoring Herbs – Basil, Dill, Fennel, Rosemary, Oregano, Tarragon, Thyme
ThymeThai basil, sage, thyme
Love, Romance
• Rose• Orange Blossom• Peony• Honeysuckle• Lily• Sandalwood, cedar wood, angelica• Valarian root
Unique Scents• Anise/licorice
– Angelica – Anise hyssop– Basil– Sweet cicely/sweet chervil
• Candy, Water Mint• Curry Plant• Onion
– Chives, onions, garlic, scallions, shallots
• Coriander/Cilantro• Lovage• Pineapple Sage• Sweet Annie
Anise Hyssop
Sweet Annie
Location, Location, Location
• Soil type, sun preference, height, and color– Leaf color – Silvery/gray: artemesias, santolina,
curry plant• Foot level: creeping thyme, sweet woodruff • Fingertip level: lavender, santolina, bee balm
(compact plants)• Nose level: dill, fennel
Bringing the Fragrance Inside
• Drying takes 2-3 weeks depending on herb.• Hang or lay flat.• Warm, dry location• Away from light
The Keepers
1. Lemon Verbena2. Oregano3. Basil4. Scented Geranium - Peppermint5. Lavender6. Marjoram7. Sweet Annie8. Scented Geranium – Old Fashioned9. Lavender Fragrance Oil on Wood Shavings
Fragrant Herb Uses• Culinary
– Food (sweet & savory), vinegars & oils • Medicinal
– Salves, tinctures– Tonics & potions– Teas
• Aromatherapy– Bathing & massage– Beauty treatments (creams, cleansers, scrubs, moisturizers, fragrant water)– Potpourri
• Home & Garden– Insect repellant– Companion plants– Sachets in closets
Aromatherapy
• Essential Oils• Derived from flower, stem or leaf• Over 100 chemical compounds• NOT fragrance oil• Use with carrier oil (1-3 drops to 1 tsp carrier oil)
• Synergy• Adaptogens
Potpourri RecipeFragrant herb leaves & petals (old roses, lavender, carnations/pinks, scented geraniums)
Fillers (dried flowers, cones, leaves, orange rinds)
Fixative - Orris RootEssential Oil
References• Fragrant Herbal (Crabtree & Evelyn) by Lesley Bremness• The Herb Society of America’s New Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni
Bown• Rodale’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs• Herbs (Eyewitness Handbooks) by Lesley Bremness• The Big Book of Herbs by Arthur O. Tucker & Thomas DeBaggio• The Complete Gardener’s Guide – Herbs by Patrick Lima• Fragrant Herb Garden by Lesley Bremness• The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann
Worwood• Fragrant Herbs (The Little Scented Library) by Malcolm Hillier• Landscaping with Herbs by Jim Wilson• Fragrant Herbs by Malcolm Hillier