Apothecary’s Report
Apothecary’s Report
I’m currently working on the fifth week of Shonda Parker’s Community Herbalist course. I was thrilled to finally begin working with those sweet-smelling herbs! I was especially interested in experimenting with (and testing—all in the interest of scientific observation, of course) herbal bath blends. For this project I decided to prepare a calming mixture of oatmeal, chamomile, and lavender.
Rich in protein and important vitamins, oatmeal softens and nourishes the skin, and soothes skin irritations such as eczema, rashes, and sunburn. Use 100% whole grain rolled oatmeal, not the instant variety, as it retains most of the nourishing properties.
Chamomile and lavender both help to clear skin disorders, and lavender helps to relieve sore muscles. Their fragrance promotes deep relaxation and helps relieve tension and anxiety.
Berceuse Bath Blend
Blend three parts rolled oats, one part dried whole chamomile flowers, and one part dried lavender buds. Store in a tightly sealed jar and keep in a cool, dark place. When you are ready to use the blend, spoon it into a small muslin bag, being careful not to introduce moisture into the jar. Tie the bag closed tightly to minimize herbal bits floating in your tub. (You may be picking them out of your hair days later!)
Tie the sachet under the bath faucet and fill the tub with warm water, allowing the water to run through the sachet. (Warm water is not only therapeutic in itself, but it helps relax the skin to allow greater penetration of the medicinal components.) When the tub is full, drop the sachet into the water and climb in for a luxuriant, fragrant soak! It doesn’t hurt if you’ve lit candles and put on Satie’s Gymnopédie or Massenet’s “Meditation.”
If you intend this bath to be medicinal, it is recommended that you remain in the water for at least thirty minutes. For the first ten minutes, the skin is hydrating, and for the next twenty it is absorbing the medicinal constituents which have dissolved in the water.
When the bath is finished, empty the sachet into the compost. Do not save it, as there is a great chance of molding. If someone is waiting to have their bath next, however, the same sachet may be used multiple times. When you have emptied the sachet, wash and dry the muslin bag for later use.
This herbal blend is lovely in a “lullaby” bath and is safe for small children.
A less Romantic application of herbal medicine is these “00” capsules filled with dried and ground ginger root for stomach cramps and nausea. I have to say, though, that it was great fun to use my Capsule Machine! Using this nifty contraption, I produced twenty-four neatly filled capsules in three minutes.
Next on my checklist: calendula salve, cold and hot infusions, tinctures, and medicinal syrups!
COMMENT ON THIS POST BY SENDING AN EMAIL TO THE HANDMAIDEN.
MARTHA K said...
I have used the ginger capsules for seasickness with great results! I had some empty capsules and quickly filled them from my spice jar when I realized I might want something “at sea.” At the first feeling of nausea, I swallowed one and experienced fairly instant relief for several hours. I repeated it later in the day with the same result.
Monday, December 14, 2009 02:12 PM
HANDMAIDEN said...
Thank you so much for sharing, Mrs. K! I need to remember to bring them with me on an upcoming trip. The roads are supposed to be terrible there...
Monday, December 14, 2009 07:12 PM
Tuesday, December 8, 2009