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Making scented or health products from your garden plants?

IlikeplantsIlikeplants Posts: 894
in Tools and techniques
I’ve made dandelion flower tea, mint tea, balm mint tea ... see the pattern? All very simple and basic.

I have lavender, rosemary, calendula, oregano, thyme, hot lips salvia which smells so lemony? What simple things do you make to use these? I was thinking of oil infused calendula mixed with melted beeswax for a skin balm? Looking for ideas from anyone who dapples in this or pointers for exploring this. Thanks.
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Posts

  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    Lavender with Epsom salts for relaxing bath soak, and little sachets for making clothes smell nice in airing cupboard a Have grown 4 batches of Calendula to make lip balm and hand cream
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    Scented candles ?  I've never made them myself but if you have time and expertise ?
    Also concentrated oils ? Both for culinary and dabbing on skin ?.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Rose petals in the bath are quite nice. Rose petals and other flowers in homemade paper... Various "wines" and cordials...
  • IlikeplantsIlikeplants Posts: 894
    Nanny Beach said:
    Lavender with Epsom salts for relaxing bath soak, and little sachets for making clothes smell nice in airing cupboard a Have grown 4 batches of Calendula to make lip balm and hand cream
    I’m imagining that lavender might block the drains and gone are the days of luxuriating in baths lol.
    I’ll do the sachets this year. Do share your calendula recipe if you can. Thanks 
  • IlikeplantsIlikeplants Posts: 894
    Fire said:
    Rose petals in the bath are quite nice. Rose petals and other flowers in homemade paper... Various "wines" and cordials...
    yep baths are out. Homemade papers sound interesting, I’ll have to YouTube that.

    I think scented candles are beyond me. I’ll take a look at concentrated oils thanks.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    making essential oils is super tricky, but you can put dried herbs, chillies  in olive oils etc
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    Baths are out! Sometimes after a hard day's gardening you need a soak in the bath. Both my grandkids get eczema,no thy lavender doesn't block the plumbing! It's in little net bags,you hold under s running tap, Epsom added for us, tablespoon of oats for the kids. I make scented candles Christmas. Yes,I do have time then, when I can't get out in the garden,they are presents,as are bath bombs. You can just dry and use calendula in a jar of oil,any kind. I have a double burner for the candles,you can use to make the salve. Will post recipe later,just stopped gardening for a drink!
  • IlikeplantsIlikeplants Posts: 894
    Thanks Nanny Beach. Maybe when the kids have flown the nest I’ll be able to use the bath again. Years away still. 
    It seems a pity to pick the calendula when it’s in flower.
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    Do kids flee the nest,! I have 2 reg disabled sons,one I am carer for, they both live over an hour away opposite directions,I look after my grandkids,had them last week,half term,90. Minutes away.my oldest daughter came to lunch Wednesday,she's 50, strips off I get Cossie, goes and sits in the sun on her blasted phone, while I cook,she also left me a bag of mending,!!
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    Fire said:
    making essential oils is super tricky, but you can put dried herbs, chillies  in olive oils etc
    I make culinary oils most years but I'll be honest and say I find the flavour is always more intense using fresh herbs and chillies.  Bit more work as it takes 2 or 3 soakings and straining to get the best flavour and a beautifully clear oil.
    My favourites are Chilli, Basil and Rosemary.  I'm considering Thyme this year too and maybe Sage.
    I tried dried once - I think it was Rosemary but it didn't do much other than turn a bit mouldy. The oils for sale in the shops with a sprig of the particular herb look very attractive but as I store the final product in a dark pantry, it would be a bit of a waste visually in my case ;)
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