Everything we need comes from plants—and some things we don’t need, too. From ink to car wax and some weird and wonderful things in between, this section contains a miscellany of useful recipes I have concocted and gathered over the years.
Blue-Purple Ink
INGREDIENTS
2 handfuls of ripe elderberries (or bilberries/huckleberries)
1/4 cup vinegar
1/2 tsp./2.5ml benzoin tincture (Friar’s Balsam) or myrrh tincture
5 drops thyme or rosemary essential oil
1 tsp. gum arabic
MAKES & KEEPS
Makes about 1/4 cup.
Keeps around 6 months.
METHOD
Simmer the berries in the vinegar, mashing with a potato masher and stirring to prevent them from burning, for 15 minutes. Strain and press through cheesecloth to get all the juice out (wear gloves because this juice seriously stains).
Mix the other ingredients with the dye/vinegar mixture and bottle.
Use the ink for painting or for writing with a dipping pen and inkwell.
Brown Ink
Courtesy of Teri Evans
INGREDIENTS
6–8 whole walnuts, gathered from the ground when blackened with age
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup vinegar
1 tsp./5ml benzoin tincture (Friar’s Balsam) or myrrh tincture
5 drops thyme or rosemary essential oil
1 tsp. gum arabic for each 1/4 cup of dye
MAKES & KEEPS
Makes about 1/4 cup.
Keeps up to 1 year.
METHOD
Simmer the walnut in just enough water to cover for 30 minutes–1 hour, topping up with the vinegar as the water boils away. You should end up with 1/4–1/2 cup of dark brown liquid.
Strain the liquid and press through cheesecloth (use gloves and be careful, because this dye will seriously stain). Mix the other ingredients with the liquid and bottle.
Use as for Blue-Purple Ink (see here).
Rose Petal Beads
Courtesy of Kamala Todd
The original Rosary prayer beads.
INGREDIENTS
101/2 cups fresh, fragrant rose petals
spring water (variable amount)
YOU WILL NEED
• IRON POT OR CAULDRON
KEEPS
Well-made beads can last more than 100 years.
METHOD
Put the rose petals into a little spring water in the iron cauldron and cover with a lid. Gently simmer (never boil hard or the essential oils will be lost) for 5 hours a day for up to 5 days. Add more water as required to stop the rose petals from drying out or burning.
Strain and press the liquid through cheesecloth to leave a thick, smooth, black paste. Roll the paste into bead shapes, using your hands (they shrink to one-quarter to one-half of the size when dry).
Place the beads on a plate and let sit in a dry, warm place (away from direct sunlight) for 5–10 days to dry. Roll each day to get a dense, smooth, round bead. Before they are completely dry, push a thick needle through the middle.
Store fully dried beads in glass jars. Do not let the beads get wet.
Waterproofing Mix for Canvas
Courtesy of Teri Evans
INGREDIENTS
1 cup soy, grapeseed or almond oil
1/2 cup turpentine
MAKES & KEEPS
Makes 11/2 cups.
Keeps at least 1 year.
METHOD
Mix together and store in a cool place.
To waterproof, paint 2–3 coats on to dry canvas.
Lemon Boot Polish
Courtesy of Tony Haslegrave
INGREDIENTS
5 tsp. beeswax
1/4 cup + 2 tsp. turpentine
1 tbsp. linseed oil
20 drops lemon essential oil
MAKES & KEEPS
Makes 1/2 cup.
Keeps for years.
METHOD
Heat together the beeswax, turpentine, and linseed oil until the wax melts, being careful not to put it on too high a flame or it will catch fire. Add the lemon essential oil, then pour it into cans while still liquid.
Walnut Protection Remedy
Courtesy of Lucy Harmer
Helps to relieve the stress of moving and to protect if you feel unsettled or under attack.
INGREDIENTS
15 green walnuts, cut into 6–8 pieces
2 cups brandy
MAKES & KEEPS
Makes 2 cups.
Keeps for years.
METHOD
Macerate the walnuts in the brandy for 6 weeks in a dark place. Stir every 6 days. Strain and bottle as for tinctures (See here).
To use, fill a small dropper bottle halfway with the remedy and top it up with spring water. Take 3–5 drops 3 times daily whenever you feel vulnerable.
Sage Smudge Stick
Courtesy of Lucy Harmer
Smudging, which originates in Native American traditions, is a great way to cleanse a space, home, or office. Most smudge sticks are made of sage because it is such a great purifier.
INGREDIENTS
several small stems fresh sage, about 6–15 inches long
YOU WILL NEED
• THIN STRING OR COTTON YARN ABOUT 5 FEET LONG
MAKES & KEEPS
Makes 1 stick.
Keeps 1–2 years.
METHOD
Lay the sage stems together so that all the cut ends are on the same side.
Wind the string or cotton tightly around the stems, leaving 2 inches of loose string or cotton where you began. Next, wind the string along the length of the bundle until you reach the leafy end. Return to the stem end, thus creating a crisscross pattern.
When you get back to the stems, tie the remainder of the string or cotton to the 2-inch loose piece you left at the beginning.
Hang the bundle up to dry in a dry place for 3–7 days.
When your smudge stick has dried, you can light the leafy end. Let it smolder and send the smoke around a person, an object, or your home to cleanse and purify. Snuff the sage out by pressing the stick down on a plate or small bowl—do not extinguish with water, because it is then really difficult to light again.
Sage & Lavender Smudge Stick
Courtesy of Lucy Harmer
Use to increase mental energy and feel uplifted.
INGREDIENTS
5 stems fresh sage, about 6–15 inches long
5 stems fresh sage, about 6–8 inches long
5 stems fresh lavender, about 6–8 inches long
YOU WILL NEED
• THIN STRING OR COTTON YARN ABOUT 5 FEET LONG
MAKES & KEEPS
Makes 1 stick.
Keeps 1–2 years.
METHOD
Make as for the Sage Smudge Stick (see here).
— Variation —
ADD A LITTLE FRESH MUGWORT TO THIS BUNDLE FOR A MORE HEALING VIBRATION.
Protection Smudge Stick
Courtesy of Lucy Harmer
Use to clear out and cleanse a space from all negative energy and outside influences.
INGREDIENTS
3 stems fresh rosemary, about 6–15 inches long
3 stems fresh lavender, about 6–15 inches long
3 stems fresh juniper, about 6–15 inches long
YOU WILL NEED
• THIN STRING OR COTTON YARN ABOUT 5 FEET LONG
MAKES & KEEPS
Makes 1 stick.
Keeps 1–2 years.
METHOD
Make as for the Sage Smudge Stick (see here).
Herbal House Cleansing Stick
Courtesy of Lucy Harmer
An ancient European technique for clearing domestic space.
INGREDIENTS
2 cups spring water
3 large pinches of salt
2 sprigs fresh mint
2 sprigs fresh rosemary
2 sprigs fresh marjoram
MAKES & KEEPS
Makes enough for 1 use.
Use immediately.
METHOD
Pour the water into a bowl and add the salt.
Weave the herb sprigs together to make a thick loose stick.
Dip the stick in the salt water. Sprinkle around the inside and outside of the home.
Happy Home Charm
Courtesy of Lucy Harmer
A traditional European charm.
INGREDIENTS
pinch of dried rue
2 oak leaves
3 dead bumblebees (that have died naturally)
YOU WILL NEED
• A SMALL POUCH OF NATURAL CLOTH
MAKES & KEEPS
Makes 1 charm.
Keeps 1 year.
METHOD
Put the ingredients into the pouch, thinking of your goal. Hang the pouch next to the front door.
House Protection Charm
Courtesy of Lucy Harmer
INGREDIENTS
1 tsp. dried vervain
1 tsp. dill seeds
1 tsp. dried rosemary leaves
1 tsp. dried bay leaves
1 tsp. dried St. John’s wort
1 tsp. juniper berries
pinch of salt
YOU WILL NEED
• A SMALL POUCH OF NATURAL CLOTH
MAKES & KEEPS
Makes 1 charm.
Keeps 1 year.
METHOD
Put the ingredients into the pouch, thinking of your goal.
Squeeze the pouch to release the herbs’ fragrance. Hang next to the front door to bring protection to your home and ward off evil.
Good Sleep Charm
Courtesy of Lucy Harmer
INGREDIENTS
2 tsp. dried mugwort
2 tsp. dried rue
2 tsp. dried lavender
2 tsp. dried angelica
2 tsp. dried chamomile
YOU WILL NEED
• A SMALL POUCH OF NATURAL CLOTH
MAKES & KEEPS
Makes 1 charm.
Keeps 1 year.
METHOD
Put the ingredients into the pouch, thinking of your goal.
Squeeze the pouch to release the herbs’ fragrance. Hang on a bedpost or place under your pillow for protection while asleep and for good dreams.
Good Luck Charm
Courtesy of Lucy Harmer
INGREDIENTS
4 oak leaves
small piece of dried heather
1 tsp. dried orange peel
1 acorn
1 citrine quartz crystal
YOU WILL NEED
• A SMALL POUCH OF NATURAL CLOTH
MAKES & KEEPS
Makes 1 charm.
Keeps 1 year.
METHOD
Put the ingredients into the pouch, thinking of your goal.
Squeeze the pouch to release the herbs’ fragrance. Hang it next to the front door or carry it with you through the day.
Prosperous House Charm
Courtesy of Lucy Harmer
INGREDIENTS
1 tsp. oats
1 tsp. cloves
1 tsp. small pieces of cinnamon stick
1 tsp. mandrake root
few gold flakes
YOU WILL NEED
• A SMALL POUCH OF NATURAL CLOTH
MAKES & KEEPS
Makes 1 charm.
Keeps 1 year.
METHOD
Put the ingredients into the pouch, thinking of your goal.
Squeeze the pouch to release the herbs’ fragrance. Hang it next to the front door to bring abundance and wealth to your home.
Herbal Mouse Deterrent
INGREDIENTS
1 cup water
2 tbsp. basil
2 tbsp. peppermint
Essential oils:
2 tsp. peppermint
2 tsp. rosemary
2 tsp. clove
MAKES & KEEPS
Makes 1 cup.
Keeps 6 months.
METHOD
Pour boiling water on the herbs and let cool. Strain and add the essential oils to the strong herb tea liquid. Mix well.
Soak a cotton ball thoroughly in the strong-smelling mix. Place around the mouse’s entry point to your home. Repeat every 2–4 weeks.
Stinging Nettle String
INGREDIENTS
10 or more fresh nettle stems (tall, long straight ones are needed)
MAKES & KEEPS
Keeps indefinitely.
METHOD
Wearing gloves, pull the nettle out of the ground. Rub the stinging hairs and strip the leaves off the stem.
Cut about 1 inch off the bottom and top pieces of the stem.
Crush the stem all along with your fingers. Put a fingernail in at the bottom and open it up all the way along to the top, spreading it open like a book.
Bend the flattened stem over a finger, with the inside facing upward to snap the inside fibers. Carefully peel off and discard these.
The nettle’s tough outside fibers can be braided to make a cord. Take 2 or more fibers together and secure one end. Twist both from the other end, then fold them in half. The 2 twisted sides will twist together and naturally form a strong cord.
Let the cord dry somewhere warm for 2 hours.
Pungent Pest Control Spray for Plants
Controls pests on outdoor or indoor plants without harming the plant.
INGREDIENTS
6 large fresh chiles
2 cups water
1 head garlic, peeled and crushed
MAKES & KEEPS
Makes nearly 2 cups.
Keeps about 1 week in the refrigerator.
METHOD
Boil the chiles in the water for 15 minutes. Add the garlic and let steep for several hours or overnight. Strain well through cheesecloth and put in a spray bottle ready to use.
Spray affected plants thoroughly, coating the leaves, stems, and soil.
Caution
Best used outside. Be careful when spraying because the chile can really sting if it gets up your nose or in your eyes. Keep away from children or pets.
Tobacco & Tea Tree Plant Spray
An effective remedy against many insects.
INGREDIENTS
2 cups boiling water
1 handful of tobacco (such as a cheap pipe tobacco)
100 drops/1 tsp. tea tree essential oil
MAKES & KEEPS
Makes nearly 2 cups.
Keeps about 5 days in the refrigerator.
METHOD
Pour the boiling water over the tobacco. Let cool. Strain and add the tea tree essential oil and put in a spray bottle.
Spray affected plants.
Eco-Sudsy Car Soap
A soapy mix that is perfect for washing the car.
INGREDIENTS
1 cup liquid soap
1/4 cup laundry powder
1 large pail of water
MAKES & KEEPS
Makes 1 wash.
METHOD
Mix the ingredients together as you need them.
Wash the car with the mixture. Rinse well, then use Plant Power Car Wax (see here).
Plant Power Car Wax
This lemony wax uses carnauba—a rich, thick wax from the leaves of the carnauba palm from Brazil. You can make this without the carnauba if you can’t get it, but it won’t be as long-lasting or effective.
INGREDIENTS
1 cup linseed oil
1/4 cup carnauba wax
2 tbsp. beeswax
11/2 cups infused lemon vinegar (see here)
MAKES & KEEPS
Makes about 3 cups.
Keeps indefinitely.
METHOD
Heat the ingredients gently (in a double boiler) until the wax has melted. Stir, then pour into a heat-resistant container.
When the mixture is cool, it will solidify. Rub it on the car with a lint-free cloth. Polish to a deep shine with the corner of a cotton duster soaked in vinegar.