The gift of herbs: homemade presents that look as good as they smell - includes recipes - The Herbalist

Vegetarian Times, Dec, 1995 by Kathi Keville

Does this sound familiar? In the true spirit of gift-giving, you decide that nothing is as personal and thoughtful as something homemade; a few months ago you resolved to make all your holiday gifts. Suddenly, it's December and you barely have enough time to buy presents, much less make them.

A selection of herbal offerings that are elegant to look at but easy to make is the perfect solution. In fact, you can even create most of these items the night before, providing you have a few materials already on hand. Most of the items you will need are easy to find at a grocery or natural food store, and won't strain your pocketbook. The secret to dressing up your creations is to package them in attractive containers. You can sometimes find these in drug and cosmetics stores, but your best bet for something unique is import and handicraft stores or craft fairs. For personalized labels, use decorative stickers sold in stationery stores.

Consider going the extra gift-giving mile by putting together a themed basket of presents. A basket of homemade body care items, for example, can be rounded out with a store-bought loofa sponge, a back-scrubber and scented bars of cruelty-free soaps. Little extras for a culinary assortment might include wine glasses, fancy crackers and some candles. Let your imagination roam; once you discover the pleasures of creating these simple gifts, you will want to give them throughout the year.

GIFTS THAT PAMPER

Bath products make great presents for almost anyone. Some of my favorite wintertime gifts are fragrant bath oils or salts. An aromatherapy bath is truly a luxurious experience on a cold winter day, leaving your skin silky, smooth and fragrant for hours.

Feel like experimenting? Try making your own essential oil combinations to serve as the signature fragrance of all your bath products. Good choices for body care are chamomile, cedarwood, lavender, lemon grass, orange, palmarosa, rosemary, sandalwood, spearmint and tangerine. Essential oils that are especially calming include bergamot, chamomile, clary sage and ylang ylang; these particular oils have very strong fragrances and should be combined with a more mellow scent, such as lavender. (If you prefer a more delicate scent, cut the amount suggested in the following recipes by half.) If you are feeling especially adventuresome, try spicier fragrances like cinnamon, coriander, eucalyptus, ginger or peppermint; use only a couple of drops, because these oils can have an irritating effect on the skin.

Aromatherapy Bath Oil

Slip sprigs of colorful dried flowers into each bottle before pouring in the oil. Another nice touch is to tightly cork the bottle, then dip the cork a few times into melted paraffin. (Candle wax will do in a pinch. if you ship your oils, use plenty of wax to hold the cork firmly in place. 2 oz. liquid measure oil, such as

almond, peach kernel or

grapeseed 1/8 tsp. lemon essential oil 1/8 tsp. rose geranium essential oil

Aromatic Bath Salts

If you prefer the look of bath crystals, simply replace the table salt and Borax (usually sold in the laundry products aisle) with 1 1/2 cups rock salt. These are all sodium salts, which make water feel soft and silky. 1 cup table salt 1/2 cup Borax 40 drops essential oil

Mix dry ingredients, then add essential oils, stirring well to combine. Use 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup per bath.

Honey-Vanilla Lip Balm

To make a variety of flavors, replace the vanilla with any flavoring extract, such as peppermint or orange. (Use just 1 teaspoon of peppertmint, so it won't leave a burning sensation.) I like my lip balm fairly stiff, because it softens in my purse or pocket; if you prefer a softer consistency, add more oil. You can find beeswax at a craft-supply store (be sure it's pure), and a good place to look for small containers is backpacking-supply stores. 1/2 cup almond oil 1 1/5 oz. beeswax 1 tsp. honey 1 Tbs. vanilla extract

Pour oil in a small pan. Add beeswax; warm over low heat until wax has melted. Remove from heat; stir in other ingredients. Pour immediately into small containers and let cool to harden.

Herbal "Soap" Bag

This milky-soft body cleanser doesn't have the drying effect of regular soap. To use, soak the bag for a few minutes in water, then squeeze out and use as you would a washcloth. one bag will last at least three washings. 1 heaping Tbs. chamomile flowers 1 heaping Tbs. lavender flowers 2 Tbs. instant oatmeal 2 Tbs. salt 1/8 tsp. lavender essential oil 8-inch square piece of porous cloth,

such as muslin 10-inch piece of ribbon or string

Combine ingredients; place in center of cloth. Pull together comers and tie with ribbon or string.

Herbal Aftershave

Witch hazel contains alcohol, which gives this aftershave that traditional sting and also acts as an antiseptic. You can find witch hazel and glycerin in a drug store. 1/4 cup witch hazel 1/4 cup aloe vera juice 1/8 tsp. glycerin 6 drops lemon essential oil 6 drops cedarwood essential oil

Combine ingredients. Shake before using.

Scented Body Powder

Try packaging this powder in large shaker containers meant for salt and sugar, or look in a drug or cosmetic store for containers that include a powder puff. 1 cup cornstarch 1/4 tsp. chamomile essential oil