I have to admit that my two favorite Valentine herbs are chocolate (oh, yes,
it's really an herb) and roses. In fact
I make a great black tea blend using both crushed chocolate and rose petals
that I call “Valentine Lover's Tea.” But
there are actually many herbs that can help you celebrate the season of love.
Herb Lore
Periwinkle (also called Vinca minor). It was believed that
people who ate periwinkle leaves together would fall in love.
Honeysuckle. The scent of honeysuckle was thought to induce
erotic dreams; hence, many parents forbade their daughters to bring it into the
house.
Bay laurel.
If you want to dream of your future lover, pin five bay leaves to the four
corners and the center of your pillow, before you go to bed tonight. Be sure to
repeat the traditional charm (it won't work if you don't) St. Valentine, be
kind to me, in dreams let me my true love see.
Yarrow. A lady hoping to attract a reluctant lover was advised to walk through a patch of yarrow, barefoot atmidnight
under a full moon. In the Language of Herbs, Yarrow means
EVERLASTING LOVE, so giving it in a blend for bath may make the perfect
Valentine gift.
Yarrow. A lady hoping to attract a reluctant lover was advised to walk through a patch of yarrow, barefoot at
Modern Love Herbs
Herbs
have romantic meanings, and can bring a romantic touch to your Valentine's Day.
Combine any of these special Love Herbs to tell the story of your love and
devotion and enjoy an Herbal Valentine!
1. Basil
Basil, with it's spicy scent, has meaning in
the language of love. It's very meaning is LOVE. Try this spicy sweet cocktail made with Lemon
Basil:
Lemon Basil Tequila Cocktail
1 serving
1 serving
2 parts Tequila
1 part premium Triple Sec
1/2 lemon
6 lemon basil leaves
1/2 part simple syrup
Club soda
1 part premium Triple Sec
1/2 lemon
6 lemon basil leaves
1/2 part simple syrup
Club soda
Muddle lemon, basil and
simple syrup in a chilled glass. Add ice, triple sec and tequila. Top with club
soda. Garnish with a lemon wheel.
Basic Simple Syrup
Recipe
makes approximately 1 1/2 cups
makes approximately 1 1/2 cups
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water
1 cup water
Combine
sugar and water in a small saucepan and simmer over medium heat, stirring until
sugar is completely dissolved. Allow mixture to cool, then decant into a clean
container with a tight-fitting lid. Keeps in the refrigerator for several
weeks.
2. Calendula
According to the language of herbs, Calendula means
JOY. What a lovely thing to say to your beloved. Add calendula to your teas of
course, but how about a soothing treatment to make your skin shiny and soft for
you special someone?
Special
Calendula Facial
Petals of 2
calendula flowers (about 2 Tbls.)
2 Tbls.
instant non-fat dry milk
1/3 c.
boiling water
Combine the milk and flowers in the
water and allow to steep for 5 to 7 minutes.
Remove herbs and use the mixture to wipe face or soak a cloth in the
liquid and lay over face and relax for 5 minutes to let the calendula soften
the skin and bring back a rosey complexion.
3. Thyme
According to the language of herbs, Thyme
brings with it the meaning of AFFECTION. Perfect for young love or deep
friendship. What better way to express your devotion to someone, than to
include a sprig of thyme in their Valentine?
Or you can try this thyme seasoned Red Soup –
Roasted
Tomato and Red Pepper Soup
2 ¼ pounds
tomatoes, halved lengthwise
2 large red
bell peppers, seeded and quartered
1 onion, cut
into thick slices
4 large
garlic cloves, peeled
2 Tbls.
olive oil
1 tsp.
fresh, ½ tsp. dried thyme
water
Preheat over
to 450 degrees. Arrange tomatoes (cut
side up) bell peppers, onion, and garlic cloves on a large baking sheet. Drizzle oil over, sprinkle generously with
salt and pepper. Roast vegetables until
brown and tender, turning peppers and onion occasionally about 40 minutes. Remove from oven. Cool.
Transfer
vegetables and accumulated juices to food processor and all thyme. Puree soup, gradually adding about 2 cups of
water to thin soup to desired consistency.
Chill until cold, about 3 hours.
Can be prepared 1 day ahead.
Cover and keep refrigerated. If
soup becomes too thick, thin with water to desired consistency. Serves 4.
4. Patchouli
The heady scent of Patchouli is not
surprisingly included in a list of romance herbs. According to the Language of
Herbs, Patchouli means PASSION. Associated with love, wealth, and sexual power,
patchouli can be used in incense blends, potpourri, and ritual workings. To use
patchouli to it's fullest extent, tuck some dried into small sleep pillows, or
sachets. The rich, lusty scent, will entice your love to feel romantic.
Blessing
Oil
Use
1/8 Cup base oil (like almond oil, walnut oil or even canola oil),
then add the following:
5 drops Sandalwood
2 drops Camphor
1 drop Orange
1 drop Patchouli
5. Lavender (lavender sachet photo)
In the Language of Love, Lavender means
DEVOTION and UNDYING LOVE. It is no surprise that lavender has always been considered
the herb of love. It's delicious and romantic scent is loved by most of us. Make a sachet and place it in the dryer with
your bed sheets to infuse them in wonderful scent.
Or try one of these wonderful lavender
creations:
Lavender
Aioli
1 cup olive
oil
6 cloves
garlic, unpeeled and crushed
2 fresh
sprigs lavender (leaves and flowers), bruised
3 eggs
1 Tbls.
lemon juice
In a small
saucepan, gently heat the oil with the garlic and lavender over low heat for
about 15 minutes. Remove from heat just before it starts to bubble. Allow to cool to room temperature. With a sieve over a small bowl, strain the
lavender oil, pressing with a spoon to extract soft solids from the garlic and
lavender. Discard herbs.
In a food
processor or blender, process the eggs and lemon juice until well blended. With the motor running, add the lavender oil
a few drops at a time, then in a thin, steady stream until all the oil is
absorbed and the mixture is thickened.
Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Refrigerate for up to 2 days or use
immediately. Aioli thickens on chilling.
Great on
sandwiches, as a spread on toast and stirred into steamed vegetables.
Soothing
Oat Bath
2
cups rolled oats, ground to a fine powder in the blender
1
cup baking soda
1
Tbls. dried Lavender buds
10
drops lavender essential oil
Grind 2 cups
rolled oats to a fine powder in a blender then add baking soda, lavender
flowers and lavender oil. Add 1 to 2
Tbls. to a muslin bag and place in the bathtub while it is filling. Squeeze the bag and relax into the water with
your sweetie!
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