Peace of mind and a calm demeanor are often the first casualties of a busy life. Shorter days rob us of time and the energy to keep up with home, work, family and self care.
Sound familiar??!?
The “Dark Season” officially arrived in my luminous Northwest this week. Gale force winds, inches of rain each day, cataclysmic thunder storms and now the requisite household computer nightmare that generally accompanies these conditions. As my friend Jim would say…”Cause and effect or coincidence?!”
It doesn’t really matter – when dark storms and thunderclaps move indoors – take cover and look for something soothing. My article “Health & well-being from the gardenT” runs in this month’s Northwest Edition of Angie’s List Magazine. What if I actually took some of my own well-meaning advice?
A brief digression… recently, I also wrote a piece about indoor gardening with houseplants. HA! I spent part of this past weekend practicing houseplant resuscitation and trying to avoid the looks of those tender plants still on the back stoop shivering in their pots and gazing longingly for the comfort, protection and warmth of my living room. I really MUST get the lemon tree and the Sambac jasmine indoors soon. See what I mean? I’m afraid it’s yet another case of “do as I say, not as I do.”
Well, the lemon tree is not the only creature to suffer the effects of gathering storm clouds. Nerves rattle and stomachs clench; teeth grind and temples pound. How do you spell R-E-L-I-E-F?
The following simple herbal preparations using plants from the garden promote health and well-being. Packaged nicely, these treats make lovely and economical gifts. But be sure to save some for yourself — with the holidays fast approaching, we can all use a little extra pampering.
Energizing foot soak
For welcome relief after a long day on your feet.
Combine 1 1/4 cups of Epsom salts with an equal measure of sea salt in a bowl. Whisk in 1/4 cup each of baking soda and cornstarch, and blend thoroughly. This salt base may be prepared ahead of time and stored in a jar.
Prepare a strong herbal infusion by pouring 2 cups boiling water over 1 cup fresh or 1/2 cup dried mint and leave to steep for up to an hour. To prepare your foot bath, pour the cooled infusion into a foot tub or large bowl. Add in 1/2 cup of the salt base, the zest of 1 lemon and 1 orange, and enough hot water to completely submerge your feet; swirl to dissolve salts. Now sink your feet into the bath, and sit back and relax for 15 minutes.
Digestive herb tea
The perfect finish to a big meal.
2 parts peppermint
1 part tarragon
1 part lemon balm
1 part chamomile flowers
1 part anise or fennel seed
1/2 part rosemary
Combine the ingredients, either fresh or dried, in a teapot. Add boiling water, cover and steep for 5 to 10 minutes. The longer you steep the mixture, the stronger the flavor of the finished infusion. Strain and serve with honey to sweeten if desired.
Lavender and rose milk bath
A soothing and softening treatment.
1/2 cup powdered milk
1/4 cup sea salt
1/2 cup dried rose petals
1/2 cup dried rose geranium leaves
1/4 cup dried lavender
Package the mixture in a muslin bag or square of cheese cloth secured with a rubber band. Add the sachet as you run the bath. Submerge and relax. Multiply the above proportions and package in a jar for gifting, along with instructions.
“Food grade” dried lavender and rose petals can often be found at health food stores and in bulk bins at some grocers.
Herbal sleep pillow
Promotes sweet dreams and sound slumber.
1 part dried lavender
1 part dried hops
1 part dried chamomile flowers
16-by-8-inch length of muslin
Fold the muslin in half to form an 8-inch square. Sew loose sides to create a pillow form, leaving a 4-inch section open. Reverse muslin form and fill loosely with the herbal mixture. Hand stitch the opening closed to finish the pillow. Slip the finished sleep pillow into a decorative covering or simply tuck into your pillowcase. Sweet dreams indeed.
Garden writer heed thyself! Today – in the name of professional research – I will steal a sweetly scented snooze in the guest room with my daughter’s herbal sleep pillow. After my restoring nap I think I’ll start working on a batch of herbal sleep pillows for friends and family on this year’s holiday gift list. We could all use a little soothing comfort.
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
ooh! That milk bath sounds fabulous. If only I had a luxurious bathtub to soak in instead of our crappy, small, fiberglass one. Oh well! I’ll just close my eyes and pretend.
Willi´s last blog ..A Backyard Greenhouse
I need a bath with those combinations! You can always come to Charleston for a little sunshine and southern hospitality!
compostinmyshoe´s last blog ..The Lady on Indian St.
hey, i know where that Quiet Please photo came from . . . we loved that neon more than we loved that crappy hotel room in Berkeley, didn’t we? But . . . there was that awesome Cafe Fanny’s across the street, right? With the poached eggs and granola and bowls of caffeine. Oh what lovely memories, friend…..
debra´s last blog ..Shed-of-the-Year . . . you can enter!