lavender bags

[Nicos]

I just can't stand the smell of lavender bags, but wondered if anyone has tried other herbs such as rosemary in them instead?
Any suggestions??

[Polly Fouracre]

Is it to keep moth out or just to smell nice?

[Nicos]

Smell nice ( not keen on sickly rose petals either!!)

[momol]

Hi Nicos,

Try some other herbs such as star anise or cinnamon...
Too bad I haven't try any rosemary, so no idea yet.

Momol

[HeyWayne]

Not sure if the smell is any better but have you tried a pink bag?

[bluemoon]

My mum pinches all the lavender I can grow as those little bags sell like hot cakes at the church Christmas Fayre (well no, to be honest the hot cakes do sell a tad faster) Not sure rosemary's a good idea, it's supposed to be an aid to the memory, so if you were to snuggle down in rosemary scented sheets you'd probably spend your nights at the 24hr Asda as you suddenly recall you've run out of milk or something. Hops are supposed to be a pleasant alternative, and at least they're only likely to remind you of beer.

[Nicos]

Ohhhh...hops!!!!! - now there's an idea!!!
Actually I spend most of my nights awake for hours on end- so rosemary might help me compile my shopping list for the next day!

[shirlthegirl43]

What about a bag filled with wheat and sprinkled with a few drops of your fave essential oil? You can bung it in the microwave to warm it up if you are feeling achey too.

[Mrs Dobby]

I've a dream bag hanging on the headboard, with lavender, rosemary, belladonna, mugwort, sage, pine resin and a few other herbs in it, smells divine and does aid dreaming, so perhaps try mixing a few herbs and see what you like a blend of?

[terrier]

Mrs D, from where do you get pine resin and is it a strong scent? I have been thinking of using it as a midge repellent in the summer. I've noticed that when around freshly cut pine in our local forest, there's no flies!

[Mrs Dobby]

Hi Terrier!

Lots of places online sell it, just do a search for incense suppliers / shops on google / ebay and you'll be able to buy it in reformed form, but we usually just get it from the woods!

Go out for a walk in any pine woodlands, and look at the tree bark, you'll find some lumps of greyish greeny yellow knobbly stuff wherever the tree has suffered damage. All you need to do is carefully remove the excess (a pocket knife comes in handy, but watch out as it can be very sticky), leaving enough that you dont expose the damage to the bark and then take it home.

To purify it, heat gently in an old pan, skim off the scum that floats to the top, and filter through a sieve or coffee filter if you so wish! Then pour out into a tray and let dry somwhere safe but not too warm.

We normally dont bother purifying it, as its normally used for making our own incense with, as it doesnt affect the smell, just the looks!

Oh, and neat pine resin is great to clear a blocked nose, just keep sniffing it or try a hot infusion of water in a bowl and then put head over with a towel, but watch out, it can be very strong!

Hope this is of some help!

[Shortie]

Sorry Nicos, I know you don't want to make lavendar bags, but as we're on the subject - how do you prepare the lavendar for those bags? Do you pick the heads when they're young/already flowered...?

[Nicos]

Found this Shortie...

Herb Activity Sheet - Making a Lavender bag

[Hazel at the Hill]

Being a bit thick, here - do you pick the lavender when it's in bud, or in full flower?

[shirlthegirl43]

From the pic in Nicos' link I would say it looks like buds Hazel - mind you my eyesight isn't great! (note to self - get new specs)