Clearing Spaces - Soil, Rocks and Seeded Bread Rolls

Nigel had the group busy shifting soil which had 

arrived for The green Patch from Barton Loam

Happily we have been allocated some to be used for 

the Medicinal Herb Spiral and the Hidden Pond

Carole went in search of stones 

for the Medicinal Herb Spiral

but we still need a lot more!

Sue showed some of the group how 

to make seeded bread rolls

which were baked in named 

terracotta plant pots

Clearing Spaces - Herbal Bath Teas

Our Herbal Bath Tea Sachets contained different blends of the following ingredients, dried lavender, hops, oats, rose petal, camomile, lemongrass, calendula petals, dried ginger.

we added different combinations of 

the following essential oils peppermint, 

rosemary, eucalyptus, lemon, lime 

and lavender

Kate was with us again to mix up Bath salts

Once the Bath Tea blends were mixed

we filled out hand stamped bags

to use the bath soaks, add them, closed tightly, to a hot bath or allow to steep and add the liquid to the bath

Everyone had lovely herbal goody bags

to take home

Clearing Spaces - Herbal Bath Salts and Lip Balm

Kate Dyer lead us through the process of making a variety of bath salts, as we have quite  a lot of gardeners we looked for recipes that would soothe aching muscles! We decided that we should do one session during the Tuesday Volunteer Day and one on the normal Thursday session so that everyone could either make or receive a bath treat!

Here is kate's step by step guide

Step 1 :- Place half a cup of salt or salts to a glass bowl.

Step 2 :- Mix in 2 tablespoons of carrier oil like jojoba or sweet almond oil.

Step 3:- Add 7 to 8 drops of desired essential oils to the bowl.

Step 4:- Mix all the ingredients together with a wooden spoon.

Step 5:- Add dried herbs, flower petals as you desire. Transfer to an airtight jar. Add to bath as required.

Sore Muscle Bath Soak - Soothes aches and pains

• 1/2 cup of Epsom Salt
• 2 tablespoons jojoba oil
• 4 drops frankinsence
• 3 drops roman camomile

Simple Lavender Bath Salt - Healing and moisturising

1/2 cup of Epsom Salt

2 tablespoons jojoba oil

8 drops lavender essential oil

Energising Bath Salt - refreshing morning blend

• 1/4 cup Dead Sea Salt
• 1/4 cup of Pink Himalayan Salt
• 2 tablespoonssweet almond oil
• 3 drops grapefruit essential oil
• 2 drops  peppermint essential oil
• 2 dropslavender  essential oil

Eucalyptus Lavender Bath Salt - Soothes sinus and respiratory issues

• 1/4 cup of Pink Himalayan Salt
• 1/4 cup of Epsom Salt 
• 2 tablespoons sweet almond oil
• 4 drops lavender essential oil
• 3 drops eucalyptus essential oil

Sleepy Time Bath Salt - relaxing

1/4 cup of Pink Himalayan Salt

1/4 cup of Epsom Salt

2 tablespoons sweet almond oil

4 drops cedarwood essential oil

3 drops orange essential oil

Blissful Bath Salt - Transform your Mind and Body with this relaxing blend

1/4 cup Dead Sea Salt

2 tablespoons jojoba oil

3 drops frankinsence essential oil

2 drops sandalwood essential oil

2 drops bergamot essential oil

Those who wished to added dried 

lavender, camomile, calendula, rose petals

We added a Green Patch Label and a fabric topper

Kate also showed us how to make a lip balm

We had teatree, grapefruit or peppermint

Kate is a wonderful cook, keen gardener and was inspired to try out some of these remedies when she developed a skin condition and found bath salts really helped. She then started making them as presents, which is how Carole knew she was the right person to help with this project.

Clearing Spaces - Filling Lavender Bags and Stamping Herbal Bath Tea Bags

Carole had been busy sewing two sorts of fabric bags, the lavender bags were now ready to fill and the room was filled with the relaxing smell of English Lavender. There are many benefits to growing lavender and we have quite a lot all over The Green Patch, it has many uses and is also a great support to bees.

Carole had also sewn small, cotton, drawstring bags

and the group used stamps and fabric ink pads

to decorate the plane cotton

in preparation for our lotions and potions 

sessions coming to The green Patch soon!

It was a very relaxing, enjoyable morning

Herbal bath tea ideas - 

Relaxation 

• Rose petals and lavender are a brilliant combination and fill the air with a lovely floral scent while helping the body to relax in the warm water.
• Calendula and chamomile are both known for their soothing properties and can also help soften the skin as the stress melts away in this bath combination.
• Sage and lemon balm can help clear the head.
• Hops and hyssop can help bring about restful sleep.

Rejuvenation blends

• Peppermint and lemon balm will soothe and rejuvenate without the jittery after effects of coffee.
• Rose petals and lovage will fill the air with a delightful herbal and floral scent that relaxes the body and invigorates the mind.
• Jasmine flowers and dried lemon peel with help the body smell good after the bath while simultaneously easing stress and hopefully helping the brain find new thoughts. 

Lavender bags ready to be sewn closed.

Lavender sachets have lots of different uses:

• Stow them in drawers to make clothing and delicates smell lovely
• Toss in the dryer with laundry (good for at least a dozen loads!)
• Place in a pillowcase as an aid to relaxation before sleeping
• Use as a natural alternative to mothballs, which are toxic, to help repel moths while storing seasonal clothes
• Stow in the car as a pleasant alternative to commercial air fresheners
• Store one in each piece of empty luggage after a trip to keep suitcases smelling fresh and clean

Clearing Spaces - Wild Weather and Hot Herby Scones

The weather had turned bitter and 

the hens and ducks were glad to see us

we had to get plenty of fresh water

as theirs and frozen.

We then went back inside to warm up and

 do some baking. We adapted this cheese 

scone recipe to delicious herb scones

Mixing the ingredients

Preparing fresh sage, rosemary and thyme

A Bit About  These Herbs 

Thyme is an herb from the mint family that you probably recognize from your spice set. But it’s so much more than an after-thought ingredientIts range of use is impressive, and it has over 400 subspecies. Ancient Egyptians used it in their embalming practices, while ancient Greeks used it as incense. Thanks to its distinctive taste, thyme has remained a culinary staple to this day. But thyme is also fast gaining a reputation for its medicinal qualities, such as its ability to help treat acne and high blood pressure.

Link to article on nine health benefits from thyme

Sage is a staple herb in various cuisines around the world. Its other names include common sage, garden sage and Salvia officinalis. It belongs to the mint family, alongside other herbs like oregano, rosemary, basil and thyme. Sage has a strong aroma and earthy flavour, which is why it’s typically used in small amounts. Even so, it’s packed with a variety of important nutrients and compounds. Sage is also used as a natural cleaning agent, pesticide and ritual object in spiritual sage burning or smudging. This green herb is available fresh, dried or in oil form — and has numerous health benefits.

Link to article on 12 surprising health benefits of sage.

Rosemary is a popular herb most commonly used in cooking to add flavour to food. While its culinary potential knows no bounds, what’s not so commonly known is that rosemary also has many health benefits.

Link to article about health potential of rosemary

While rosemary can be beneficial to your health, it’s not for everyone to use. The herb should only be taken in small doses Patients with high blood pressure should also avoid taking rosemary as a supplement. Though culinary use of rosemary is safe, always consult your doctor before trying any new supplements or treatments. Check to see if rosemary oils will interfere with diabetes or blood thinner medication. If your doctor gives the all clear to use rosemary, you know it can certainly contribute to your health.

Ready to bake

Fresh from the oven

Tasty results!

We made extras for those of the group not 

here and we'll share them at a later date!

Clearing Spaces - Preparation

The new pond liner is in place but 

we are waiting for the soil and sand 

Carole went out to count the stones in the existing herb spiral - there are more than you'd think! Sue put a call out to see if anyone had spare stones in their gardens, Carole had seen lots at the park but no luck as yet. 

There was a walk, chickens and ducks were fed, more seeds were packeted, some digging and weeding took place. There was laughter, warmth and good conversation.

Carole also spent time chatting to the group and cutting out fabric to make into lavender bags for the upcoming lotions and potions / herbal bath treats  sessions, then took them home to sew.