Handmade gifts bring heart to the holidays. Need more ideas? Take a look through HSA’s archive of webinars. These are accessible to members only. Learn more about other membership benefits.
- The Creative Herbal Home: Knowing and Using Essential Oils with Susan Belsinger and Tina Marie Wilcox (10/2015) * Herbs and Essential Oils Handout
- Tussie Mussies with Geri Laufer (6/215) … Think about making a seasonal nosegay.
- Everything You Want To Know About Chia with Margaret Conover (03/2015) Chia Seed Recipe Ideas, including chia cookies
- Warming the Evening – Herbal Liqueurs with Debbie Boutelier
Herbal Liqueur Recipes from HSA members and HSA Headquarters resources. Start now for holiday gift making.
The following is a freebie for nonmembers and those unable to access the webinars. It was provided by Susan Belsinger and Tina Marie Wilcox in their October 2015 webinar.
Basic Bath Salts
Epsom salt is a good soaking aid for muscle fatigue and drawing out toxins. Milk powder makes the skin soft and silky; but it isn’t absolutely necessary. Once prepared, when you smell these–they may seem strong–but remember you will be using a small amount in a tubful of hot water, so they will dissipate. Put about 3 to 4 tablespoons into the tub towards the end of drawing your bath and stir with your hand. Relax and indulge yourself.
This recipe makes one eight-ounce jar and can be multiplied to make large quantities for gift-giving.
- 1 cup Epsom salt
- 8 to 10 drops essential oil
- 2 tablespoons milk powder
Put the salt in a glass or non-reactive bowl and sprinkle the essential oil over it. Use a spoon or your hands to stir it. Add the milk powder and blend well. Pour the salt into a jar, cover with a lid and label with the ingredients and directions for using the bath salts.
Two blends that we like for bath salts are:
Well Body Bath Salts—for muscle fatigue and tension or cold and flu symptoms essential oils of eucalyptus, peppermint and rosemary
Bliss Blend Bath Salts—good for relaxing and general blissing out; calming and sensual essential oils of lavender, cedarwood, clary sage, and chamomile
Watch the Herb Society website for upcoming webinars.
Feel free to share your gift-giving projects, and pictures if possible, with pariswolfe@yahoo.com. We’ll publish as possible.
Watch this space for additional holiday gift-giving ideas.
