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

InvigorateMint

Apple

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

Focus, Concentration

Bay laurel

ArtemesiaMonarda/bergamot

Relax, Unwind, Sleep

• Lavender • Chamomile• Clary Sage• Lemon Balm• Scented Geranium• Bergamot, Sandalwood, Sweet Marjoram, Sweet

Woodruff• Sweet Violets• Valerian

Relax, Unwind, Sleep

ValerianBergamot

Sweet Violet

Lavender

Pleasure, Leisure

• Flavoring Herbs – Basil, Dill, Fennel, Rosemary, Oregano, Tarragon, Thyme

ThymeThai basil, sage, thyme

Pleasure, Leisure

Fennel

Love, Romance

• Rose• Orange Blossom• Peony• Honeysuckle• Lily• Sandalwood, cedar wood, angelica• Valarian root

Love, Romance

Peony

Lilies

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

Unique Scents

Curry Plant & SantolinaPineapple Sage

Chives, Lovage, Sage

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