Freezing herbs and saving their flavor.

 

A very cool way to save herbs for later use:

Freezing this way they do not darken or lose flavor and aroma:
Steps to freeze the herbs in olive oil or unsalted butter (melted)

1.Start with fresh herbs, preferably from the market or your own garden.

2.Be sure to chop them well, or leave them on branches and larger leaves. In the photo, the herbs are finely chopped.

3.Place in ice cube trays (about 2/3 full of herbs).

4.You can mix herbs (sage, thyme, rosemary).

5.Fill with extra virgin olive oil or unsalted melted butter over the herbs.

6.Cover with plastic wrap and freeze.

7.Remove frozen cubes and store in small containers or bags to freeze.

8.Make sure to label each container or bag with the type of herbs (and oil) inside!

9. Use in baked goods, baked potatoes, etc.

A great way to save them and use them for just about anything at a later date.

DeShawnMarie.com

DeShawn Marie Etsy Shop

My favorite herbal tea bath!

Here's a really nice and easy bath treat to make. I love bath teas as they really make you feel like you are bathing in nature. This is one of my favorite ones. You can substitute items to come up with your own special bath too.

2 tsp lavender flowers (dried)
2 tsp rose petals (dried)
1 tsp lemon balm (dried)
1 tsp rosemary (dried)
1 tsp spearmint (dried)
4 drops lavender essential oil
2 drops rose essential oil
1 drop patchouli essential oil

Mix all ingredients together and then place in small muslin bag. Tie tightly and place in hot running bath water.

You can scent it with any essential oils you would like, but this is my favorite combination for this tea. Have fun though, play around and come up with your own personal bath tea.

If you are reading this in a Facebook note, a reader or some other format then go to my blog at DeShawn's Blog to see the original post.

DeShawnMarie.com

Sweet Calming Chamomile....what to do with it?

My last post about lavender was so popular I thought I would share some Chamomile recipes and uses as well.


Cheerful Chamomile Tea
Ingredients:
1/2 cup dried chamomile flowers
1/2 cup dried calendula petals
2 tablespoons grated lemon peel
1/4 cup dried peppermint
1 tablespoon whole cloves
honey to taste

Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight container. To brew use 1 1/2 tsp. of tea with 1 cup (8 ounces) boiling water. Steep for 3-5 minutes. Strain and sweeten with honey to taste.

Winter Chamomile Tea
Makes 4 cups
Ingredients:
1 tsp. dried chamomile
1 tsp. dried mint
1 tsp. dried lavender
honey

Combine the herbs in your warmed tea pot and add 2 cups boiling water. Steep for 5 minutes and strain. Add 1 tsp. of honey to each cup of tea. Notes: I put together this simple mellow tea one winter afternoon. I like it with the honey, but lemon would be fine too. This makes 2 cups of tea, but it can easily be doubled and tripled.

Chamomile Shampoo
You will need:
2 tsp.. dried chamomile
1/4 cup boiling water
1/4 cup baby shampoo (or another mild variety)

Pour the boiling water over the chamomile and steep for 30 minutes, strain, then mix into the shampoo and use as usual.

Chamomile Hair Conditioner
You will need:
1/3 cup chamomile flowers
1/3 cup olive, safflower or sunflower oil
Clean jar with lid

Combine the chamomile and oil in a jar with a lid. Place on a sunny windowsill and shake the jar at once a day. After two weeks, strain out the herbs. To apply, use about 2-4 teaspoons, depending on the length of your hair. Brush out your hair and apply to the hair ends, avoiding the scalp. Leave on about ten minutes, then shampoo out.

Chamomile Hair Rinse
You will need:
1 cup boiling water
1 tsp. chamomile flowers

Pour the water over the chamomile; steep until it cools to lukewarm. Strain out the flowers. This will soothe your scalp. To use pour over your hair as a rinse after shampooing.

Herbal Foot Soak
You will need:
2 ounces mixed fresh herbs-peppermint, rosemary, chamomile
4 cups boiling water
1 tablespoon borax
1 tablespoon Epsom salts

Roughly chop the herbs. Put in a bowl, pour in boiling water. Let stand 1 hour; strain. Place the "tea" water into a tub or bowl large enough to hold both feet and another 6-7 cups of warm water. Stir in borax and Epsom salts. Soak feet 15 to 20 minutes. Add hot water if needed to keep the temperature as warm as desired. Afterwards use a good lotion and place cotton socks on your feet for the evening!

I hope you enjoy these! Oh and don't forget to enter to win a free soap from me in the post below.

If you are reading this in a Facebook note, a reader or some other format then go to my blog at DeShawn's Blog to see the original post.

DeShawnMarie.com