Fragrant Herbs
“Sweet perfumes work immediately upon the spirits,
for their refreshing sweet and healthfull ayres are
special preservatives to health, and therefore much
to be prised.” – Ralph Austen (1653)
MLGC
February 18, 2014
Maggi Coene
What is an Herb?
Definition: “Plant of which leaves, seeds,
or roots are used for food, medicine,
scent or flavor”
– Annuals, bi-annuals
– Perennials
– Shrubs
– Vines
– Trees
– Ferns & mushrooms
Sense of Smell
• Personal Scent Response
• Historical use of Scent in Aromatherapy
– Chinese
– Indian Ayurveda
– Stillroom in Elizabethan times
• Essentials Oils
Invigorate, Refresh
• Mint family – Spearmint, Peppermint,
Applemint and many more.
• Citrus – Lemon, Lime, Orange
• Apple – Chamomile and Sweet Briar Rose
• Stimulating Trees -- Pines, Cedar, Juniper,
Spruce and Eucalyptus
Invigorate
Mint
Apple
Focus, Concentration
• Slightly pungent and sharp - Angelica, Bay,
Calamint, Catnip, Hyssop, and Oregano
• Rosemary and Basil
• Bergamot, Fennel, Lavender, Lemon Balm,
Lemon Verbena, Marjoram, Mint, Wormwood
• Pennyroyal, Tansy, Santolina, and
Southernwood
• Cedar, Juniper, Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, and
Thyme
Focus, Concentration
Bay laurel
Monarda/bergamot
Artemesia
Relax, Unwind, Sleep
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Lavender
Chamomile
Clary Sage
Lemon Balm
Scented Geranium
Bergamot, Sandalwood, Sweet Marjoram, Sweet
Woodruff
• Sweet Violets
• Valerian
Relax, Unwind, Sleep
Sweet Violet
Lavender
Bergamot
Valerian
Pleasure, Leisure
• Flavoring Herbs – Basil, Dill, Fennel,
Rosemary, Oregano, Tarragon, Thyme
Thai basil, sage, thyme
Thyme
Pleasure, Leisure
Fennel
Love, Romance
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Rose
Orange Blossom
Peony
Honeysuckle
Lily
Sandalwood, cedar wood, angelica
Valarian root
Love, Romance
Peony
Lilies
Unique Scents
• Anise/licorice
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Angelica
Anise Hyssop
Anise hyssop
Basil
Sweet cicely/sweet chervil
• Candy, Water Mint
• Curry Plant
• Onion
– Chives, onions, garlic, scallions,
shallots
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Coriander/Cilantro
Lovage
Pineapple Sage
Sweet Annie
Sweet Annie
Unique Scents
Chives, Lovage, Sage
Pineapple Sage
Curry Plant & Santolina
Location, Location, Location
• Soil type, sun preference, height, and color
– Leaf color – Silvery/gray: artemesias, santolina,
curry plant
• Foot level: creeping thyme, sweet woodruff
• Fingertip level: lavender, santolina, bee balm
(compact plants)
• Nose level: dill, fennel
Bringing the Fragrance Inside
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Drying takes 2-3 weeks depending on herb.
Hang or lay flat.
Warm, dry location
Away from light
The Keepers
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Lemon Verbena
Oregano
Basil
Scented Geranium - Peppermint
Lavender
Marjoram
Sweet Annie
Scented Geranium – Old Fashioned
Lavender Fragrance Oil on Wood Shavings
Fragrant Herb Uses
• Culinary
– Food (sweet & savory), vinegars & oils
• Medicinal
– Salves, tinctures
– Tonics & potions
– Teas
• Aromatherapy
– Bathing & massage
– Beauty treatments (creams, cleansers, scrubs, moisturizers, fragrant
water)
– Potpourri
• Home & Garden
– Insect repellant
– Companion plants
– Sachets in closets
Aromatherapy
• Essential Oils
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Derived from flower, stem or leaf
Over 100 chemical compounds
NOT fragrance oil
Use with carrier oil (1-3 drops to 1 tsp carrier oil)
• Synergy
• Adaptogens
Potpourri Recipe
Fragrant herb leaves & petals
(old roses, lavender, carnations/pinks,
scented geraniums)
Fixative - Orris Root
Essential Oil
Fillers (dried flowers, cones, leaves,
orange rinds)
References
• Fragrant Herbal (Crabtree & Evelyn) by Lesley Bremness
• The Herb Society of America’s New Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni
Bown
• Rodale’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs
• Herbs (Eyewitness Handbooks) by Lesley Bremness
• The Big Book of Herbs by Arthur O. Tucker & Thomas DeBaggio
• The Complete Gardener’s Guide – Herbs by Patrick Lima
• Fragrant Herb Garden by Lesley Bremness
• The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann
Worwood
• Fragrant Herbs (The Little Scented Library) by Malcolm Hillier
• Landscaping with Herbs by Jim Wilson
• Fragrant Herbs by Malcolm Hillier