Meadowsweet Herbs

There is something very special, and personal about receiving a home made gift. In these busy times, it is a gift in itself to slow down and take the time to do something fun and creative for those you love. It is also easy on the budget!

Bay Rum After Shave and Astringent

This is an old favorite that can be used for both men and women as an astringent or after-shave splash. It smells incredible!

• Bay Leaves — enough to pack a quart canning jar to almost the top
• 1 teaspoon Whole cloves
• 1 teaspoon Powdered Allspice
• 1 teaspoon Fresh grated ginger
• Rum

Pack all ingredients in a quart sized canning jar and pour rum so it covers all herbs by about 1 inch. Let sit for 3 — 4 weeks and strain. You can add a few drops of bay essential oil to strengthen the scent if you wish. Pour in pretty bottles. A great gift for that hard to buy for man on your list!

Massage Lotion

• 1 cup massage oil of your choice, unscented
• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 1/4 cup mango butter
• 1 teaspoon lanolin
• 1 teaspoon Vitamin E oil
• Your essential oil of choice (some holiday favorites include cinnamon, clove, orange, pine, juniper, frankincense and myrrh)

Melt the coconut oil, mango butter, Vitamin E oil and lanolin in a pot on the stove on low. When this mixture has liquefied, add the massage oil. Once it is melted again, remove from heat and add essential oils. Generally you can add 10 drops of essential oil per ounce of massage oil. Pour on bottles before it cools.

Milk Bath Salts

• 2 cups of unprocessed salt (Celtic, Himalayan, etc)
• 2 cups powdered milk
• Lavender, rose or calendula flowers
• 1 1/2 teaspoons essential oils (see above for some nice holiday favorites)

An interesting combination of two favorites, add salt and milk together and mix well. Sprinkle in the essential oil and mix again. Add flowers as desired. (Remember to include a muslin bag with the salts if you do!) Store in a tightly closed glass jar to keep essential oils from evaporating. Use 1/4 cup of salts per bath.

Citrus Herbal Perfume

• 2 cups Everclear
• 1/4 teaspoon Lemon Essential oil
• 1/4 teaspoon Neroli Essential oil
• 1/4 teaspoon Grapefruit Essential oil

Combine all ingredients in a glass bottle and shake well. Use a spray bottle, small glass vial, or roll on to apply. A lovely aroma for both men and women, apply to your neck and wrists as desired.

Glycerin Soap

• 1 pound of glycerin soap base
• 3 tablespoons herbs, ground oats, almond meal, or clay
• 1 tablespoon of essential oil
• Rubbing alcohol

This is a quick and easy recipe that kids can help with. Melt 1 pound of glycerin soap base in a double boiler. Remove from heat and stir in herbs, ground oats, clay and/or essential oils if desired. Mix well. Pour into a soap, candle or candy mold. Spray the mold lightly with rubbing alcohol to help prevent bubbles. Let any bubbles in the soap base rise to the top. Spray the soap tops with rubbing alcohol to make the bubbles disappear. Let the soap set up for 1/2 hour, then put the soap molds in the freezer for 30 minutes. Remove from the freezer and allow the molds to sit for 10 minutes. The soap should pop right out.