| Herbs have made our planet their home
longer than we humans have. They have been a part of earth's ecology
since the beginning of time, and used by ancient man thousands of years
ago. The first people to record herbal lists in writing were the
Greeks, around 500 B.C. From that time on, to the Druids and witches
of the early centuries A.D., to the monasteries of the Middle Ages,
to the physicians of the 1500's, and to present day herbalists, herbs have
been keeping us company for a long, long time. Their folklore and uses,
be they ever changing or constant, make for what I consider to be very
interesting reading material. For instance the word 'wort,' which
we see so often in the names of herbs such as St. Johnswort, Soapwort etc.,
comes from the old Saxon language and simply means 'herb'. We know
that beauty is genetic but in late 18th century France, the loyal subjects
of Marie Antoinette attributed her legendary beauty to her herbal baths.
The queen's bath sachet was simple: 1 part thyme, 1 part marjoram and 1
part coarse salt.
Our interest in herbs, as soapmakers, is to use them as additives in our soaps, either for colorants, fragrance, or medicinal properties. "What can I plant in a soapmaker's herb garden?" This is a question many soapmakers ask. The charts found at the end of this introduction will list the growing conditions and properties of 14 herbal candidates for soapmaking. This is by no means a definitive list for soapmakers. There are many wonderful plants from which to choose. The ones I've decided to write about are some of the more common ones. I've tried to be accurate in the information I gathered. Of course you will be interested in learning more and there are countless excellent books available on growing herbs, as well as information on soil preparation, harvesting and uses of herbs, companion planting and the like. I urge anyone who has been smitten by the thrill of growing their own herbs to take advantage of the wealth of material available. Enjoy! "Cur moriatur homo cui salvia crescit in horto?" (Why should a man die who has sage in his garden?) Greek Proverb Further reading:
Web sites:
Uses: The essential oil is often used in fisherman's soap as it is believed to attract fish. History: Anise is native to the East Mediterranean. It was first cultivated by the ancient Egyptians as a spice. Properties: Aromatic Description: An annual with coarsely toothed leaves at the base, and delicate feather like leaves on the tall spindly stems. It has an umbrella type flower head and white flowers reminiscent of Queen Anne's Lace. Anise has a delicious liquorice aroma Harvesting Tips: The seeds of the flower head are used. Cut the stems after the seeds have formed and hang them upside down in bunches to dry. Once the seeds are dried pick them off. Other Comments or Warnings: Toxic when large amounts are taken internally.
Uses: Mostly a flavouring for cooking, but it is such a gorgeous plant, and good companion to other plants that it makes it's home nicely in the soapmaker's herb garden. History: Originally from India, and a sacred herb to the Hindus. Properties: As a 'helping' plant it is said to repel mosquitoes and flies, makes asparagus happy, and improves the taste of tomatoes. Description: A lush annual with ovate dark green leaves. Harvesting Tips: Harvest before stems develop flowers. Use fresh or dried. To dry pinch leaves off and lay out to dry. Other Comments or Warnings:
Avoid use on sensitive skin.
Uses: Potpourri, compresses, soap additive. Dried flowers add colour to potpourri. History: An herb indigenous to the Mediterranean traditionally used for its medicinal properties and attraction of bees. Properties: Has a cooling effect. Description: A hardy annual with bristly, oblong cucumber scented leaves. It's stalk is hollow and full of juice. At blooming bright blue star shaped flowers grow in clusters at the end of the stems. This plant is quite unruly and needs the extra support from stakes or neighbouring plants. Harvesting Tips: Remove the leaves and flowers from the stalk and lay them out to dry. Other Comments or Warnings:
History: Grown in gardens
since the Middle Ages in it's native Spain. Calendula's name comes
from its ability to bloom month after
Properties: Calendula softens and smoothes skin. It is also an antiseptic, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory. Uses: Cleansing lotions, bath soaps, complexion creams. Description: A persistent reseeding annual with tongue-shaped leaves and yellow or orange daisy like flowers. Harvesting Tips: Pluck the flower heads and save the petals. Store the seeds to reseed in spring. Other Comments or Warnings:
none
History: The name matricaria comes from the Latin matrix or womb. This herb was anciently used as a treatment for female ailments. Properties: Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, also aids cell renewal in wounds, eczema and infections. Uses: Used in herbal baths, aromatics and beauty products. Description: A delicate, spindly
annual with tiny white, daisy-like flowers. It is often confused
with Roman chamomile (chamaemelum
Harvesting Tips: Pluck the
flower heads off the plant when the petals have opened all the way back
exposing the pineapple shaped
Other Comments or Warnings: Chamomile should not be used by people with allergies to pollens.
Uses: Rose water, potpourri, sachets, perfumes, and soaps, History: Dog rose, a common wild rose, was thought of as useless by the Greeks, thus the name 'dog' (in this case used as a derogatory term) was attached to it. Properties: Aromatic, high vitamin C content in hips Description: A hardy deciduous, and thorny shrub with fragrant flowers ranging in colour from white to pink to hot pink. Harvesting Tips: Pick the petals when the plant flowers to dry and use in potpourris. Pick the 'hips' (seed pods) after the hips have turned bright red in colour. Use them fresh in jams or syrups or dry them for use in teas. Other Comments or Warnings: There
are irritating hairs in the hips that must be strained from rose hip tea.
It is safer to purchase powdered rose hip from a supplier rather than make
you own when using it as a soap additive.
Uses: Potpourri, sachets, soaps, perfumes and colognes. History: The name Lavandula comes from the Latin word for wash. It is reported that the ancient Romans paid 100 denarii for a pound of the blossoms. Properties: Aromatic. Topically it has antiseptic and anesthetic properties. Description: There 28 species of
this aromatic perennial. It grows in clumps 'bushes' with evergreen
type leaves and spiked stems sprouting from the clump. The flowers,
usually purple, grow along the end of the stems in delicate buds.
Other Comments or Warnings: none
History: The Greeks it is said, rubbed lemon balm on manmade hives to encourage bee swarms to set up housekeeping . The Greek word Melissa directly translated means 'honey bee'. Properties: Lemon balm is an aromatic. It's lemon scent has a claming effect. The leaves have slight antibacterial properties. Uses: Used in potpourri, herbal pillows and aromatic baths. Description: A hardy perennial closely resembling mint to which it is related. Harvest Tips: The leaves are
best picked early before the stems start to elongate for flowering.
Best used fresh as the scent diminishes
Other Comments or Warnings:
None
History: The root was eaten as a vegetable by the Egyptians, Chinese, Syrians, Greeks, Romans, and Armenians. Properties: Softens and soothes skin. Uses: An emollient especially good for weather damaged skin. Description: Marsh Mallow
is a tall flowering perennial with velvety leaves. The flowers are
pink and grow in clusters on the same part of
Harvesting Tips: Both the
root and leaves are used for their mucilage content, the roots having more
than the leaves. Harvest the leaves
Other Comments or Warnings: none
History: Cultivated by ancient
Egyptians Mint is also said to have adorned the heads and banquet tables
of Greeks and Romans at their
Properties: Mint is a mild anesthetic, aromatic and antiseptic. Uses: Potpourri, sachets and cosmetics. Description: A prolific and
hardy perennial. The small green leaves of mint range in shape from
oval to spear-like depending on what
Harvesting Tips: Use fresh or dried. Pick fresh as needed or cut stems before plant flowers, bunch and hang upside down to dry. Other Comments or Warnings:
There are many, many different mints ranging from chocolate to banana.
This plant is best planted in
History: Rosemary blooms with delicate blue flowers which gives it the appearance of being covered with dew, and it's natural habitat is the seaside. It's Latin name means 'dew of the sea'. This was a favorite herb among the ancient Greeks. Properties: An aromatic, and astringent. It's essential oil is antibacterial and antifungal. Uses: One of the best ingredients for homemade rinses and shampoos, particularly for dark hair. Also used in herbal baths. Description: A slightly frost hardy perennial. It is an evergreen shrub with pale blue flowers and needle like leaves. Harvesting Tips: Pick fresh leaves as required. To dry, cut branches before the Rosemary flowers, hang them upside down until dry. Other Comments or Warnings:
Rosemary was once thought to improved memory and so was used in wedding
bouquets and funeral
Uses: Bath sachets, and hair rinse for dark hair. History: The latin name translates as 'be good in health'. Believed by the Greeks to yield longevity to those who partook of it. Properties: Antibacterial and astringent Description: An aromatic evergreen, perennial shrub like plant. It has downy, grey green, oblong leaves and its flowers are a light mauve colour. Harvesting Tips: Pick just before flowering. Use fresh or dried. Other Comments or Warnings: Can
be poisonous.
Uses: Flowers used in potpourri. The saponin in the roots, stems and leaves is used for cleansing sensitive skin. Also used for cleaning delicate fabrics, tapestries and lace. History: In the Middle Ages it was used in Europe for washing woolens, and also dates back further to the ancient Greeks. Properties: The saponin in the plant behaves as a water softener and when boiled produces a soapy liquid. Description: A perennial. It grows in upright stems with the leaves growing in pairs along them. Late in the summer soapwort flowers with pink phlox like blooms. Harvesting Tips: Roots are dug up, and stems and leaves are harvested for saponins. Pluck the flower heads and spread them out to dry. Other Comments or Warnings: Do not use internally. |
