Disinfecting and Uplifting Herb Blends for Quarantine

Previously I shared a disinfecting herbal cleaning spray you can make with herbs, but I also like herb scents in the house and I thought maybe I could use a combination of herbs to scent the house and disinfect the air around me. 

For more information on any of the herbs discussed in this post, I suggest looking at our A to Z Herbs page which features links to learning posts containing details of all the herbs here as well as others we have posted on previously.

Disinfecting Herbs

You need a selection of herbs that have disinfecting properties and fresh herbs are best.  I got all of these in the produce department of my fruit market.  Your grocery should have at least a few of these.  You can use whatever you can get.  It is still Winter here, okay Spring, but the plants have done nothing yet, so I could not harvest from the garden.

I did use a combination of fresh and dry herbs, as finding fresh lavender in winter is almost impossible, but the scent from even dry lavender is still nice and aromatic.

Disinfecting Herb Bundles

Lavender

Thyme

Sage

Mint

Rosemary

Dill

Take a sprig or two and bundle them together with a rubber band.  Hang the herbs and allow then to air dry.  The scent will waft through the air adding disinfecting properties.

I started with the lavender that was dry giving stiffness and the thyme which has very small stems. 

I added in the rosemary whose woody stem gave support to the mint, sage and dill I added to finish each bundle.

I placed the bundles on a hanger so I could just hang it in the office or from the hall railing to let the scent spread.

Uplifting Herbs

Sometimes when cooped up in quarantine you want to lift your mood.  The seriousness of all this pandemic discussion can make it hard to be optimistic. So the scent of uplifting herbs can make all the difference.

This blend of herbs focuses on citrus and its uplifting effect on the mind. I was able to find my favorite black stem peppermint and used dried lemongrass and dried roses.

For this bundle I cut the peel off a grapefruit in long strips.  Since I am not eating it, it did not matter if I cut into the pith (white part) under the skin (which is bitter) so I could make sure I got a couple nice long pieces. That were strong enough to keep their shape during the drying process.

Uplifting Herb Bundles

Geranium

Rose

Lemon

Peppermint

Rosemary

Grapefruit

Then using a rubber band bundle the herbs together into a decorative presentation.  Tie with pretty ribbon or raffia and hang in a nice prominent place to allow the scents to spread through the room.  Someplace where you will touch or bump the bundle is even better.

I used dried lemon grass, because the bulb is available in winter, but the fronds are not. I had some long pieces, so I pulled them up from the bottom to make a loop on each side to become the base for my bundle.

Then I added the herbs.  The geranium are my scented geraniums which I bring in every winter.  The stems are thin and soft from the lack of light so a base to place them on really helps then hang better.

I added the rosemary, mint, and some oregano (which is a wonderful germ fighter.) The dried roses just did not look right so I did not end up using them, but you can get a rose or two from the floral shop and add great color to this bundle. I had some fun with the grapefruit peel wrapping it in and around the other herbs.

I think I like my second bundle better than my first. One I hung on the back door, so every time we slide the door the scent is released.  The other I hung in my new home office (this is a work from home quarantine you know.)

As these bundles dry the scent will be released and act on my environment and they will be nice decorations in my home, even as the scent fades during the hot summer months.

No one said we had to have a stuffy house if we were quarantined, so grab some fresh or dried herbs and freshen your space!

Herbs and Disinfection in the time of Coronavirus (COVID-19) weekend recipes

I have begun to feel some intense pressure as a result of the CoVid-19 situation.  I worry that I stay healthy as I work directly with members of the public.  I am concerned that the places that I teach are clean and that people will feel comfortable enough in them to actually put aside their worries and learn.  I have had programs cancelled as events, organizations and institutions do hard and soft shutdowns.

Disinfecting herbs rosemary, oregano, sage (clockwise from top)

This Chicago Flower and Garden Show has been cancelled, so my book launch will not be happening quite as I envisioned it.  I am working on what I can do instead.

Community Education in District 128 and District 214 has been cancelled/postponed until at least April 2020.  That is a shame as I had a nice sized class for Mocktails that would have happened last night, had the district not shut down all extra activities effective Thursday at 1:00 pm. The Garden Club has to cancel the March meeting at the request of the library where we meet.

So I can sit around and worry, or I can share some of the things I have been doing to make sure I stay healthy and that the areas I function in stay clean and sanitary.

Since disinfectants, hand sanitizer and other items are selling out in stores, my main weapon is an herbal vinegar I made myself specifically to clean with.  We have been using it on our kitchen counter since last summer and we love it.  The herbs were chosen for their disinfecting qualities.  You should be able to get fresh herbs and distilled white vinegar in the store as other things sell out.


Vinegar is a great germ fighter

Vinegar can be used as a safer bleach alternative for some applications, such as cleaning, and research has shown it can be affective against some bacteria and viruses, including the flu. It is also biodegradable. Vinegar is not a registered disinfectant, however, and does not kill dangerous bacteria like staphylococcus. We do not know how it works against CoVid-19, but its effectiveness against flu makes it a good choice as a disinfectant.

Cleaning Vinegar

Thyme or lemon thyme
Rosemary
Sage
Lemon Balm
Distilled white vinegar (5% acidity)

Use one or all of these herbs and add 1 cup of fresh leaves or branches to 2 cups of vinegar in a glass jar.  Bruise the herbs in the jar and then allow the vinegar and herbs to steep for 1 to 2 weeks before straining to use. To speed the steep, warm the vinegar after you place in the herbs.  Pop in the microwave for 2 minutes on high, then let steep. When warmed the vinegar will be ready in a week.




Kitchen Disinfectant

Create a 50/50 blend of cleaning vinegar and filtered water in a spray bottle.  More than 50% and the room smells like vinegar.


Counter and Appliance Cleaner

3 cups water
1 cup herb vinegar (cleaning vinegar or any single disinfecting herb vinegar)
2 tsp lemon juice
10 drop lemon essential oil


This is an all-purpose cleaner, much more diluted than a disinfectant.  You can use it to wipe down counters, walls, tables, toys, appliance surfaces and shelves.


Floor Cleaner

½ cup vinegar
½ gallon warm water

Combine in a large bucket and soak a mop or sponge, wring out the excess and wipe the floor.  Allow to air dry.


Alcohol is a great disinfectant

Alcohol has long been used as an antiseptic. Ethyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) in particular is effective against a wide range of bacteria, and also some viruses, namely those known as "enveloped viruses." These viruses — including influenza and coronaviruses — are enveloped in a lipid membrane that can be disrupted by alcohol and other disinfectants, thus inactivating the virus. Alcohol may not be helpful, however, against viruses that lack this envelope, such as norovirus.

For disinfecting surfaces, the CDC advises using an alcohol solution with at least 70% alcohol. For hand sanitizers, it suggests using one with at least 60% alcohol, although it notes washing your hands with soap and water is preferable. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned the makers of some hand sanitizers against claiming their products can prevent infections like the flu, citing inadequate evidence. If you buy hand sanitizer, avoid products that contain triclosan. As an alternative to buying it, you could also make your own hand sanitizer at home.

Here is the recipe to make your own hand sanitizer, however I have not had to go to the store to buy these ingredients as I have them on hand.  I have heard that getting Aloe Vera Gel might prove to be a challenge.

Handmade Hand Sanitizer

6 Tablespoons rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol), at least 60% alcohol by volume 
2 Tablespoons aloe vera gel 
3 to 4 drops essential oil (optional) 

Simply mix the alcohol and aloe vera together well and pour it into a bottle using a funnel. You can double, triple or quadruple the recipe as needed.  You can use a squeeze bottle or a spray bottle.  Then carry in your purse or pocket.

Note that you shouldn't use fresh aloe vera but should use a commercial gel because fresh won't remain stable for long-term use.  Essential oils should be tested for irritation before being used. So they can be an optional in this mixture.  If you want more germ fighting, try rosemary, tea tree or thyme oil.  If you want something to soothe your worry, try lavender or lemon balm or geranium.

I used thyme and lemon grass oil in my hand sanitizer, because they smell good and will add to the germ fighting.

Bleach can disinfect the best, but...
Bleach is a relatively cheap and highly effective disinfectant. It kills some of the most dangerous bacteria, including staphylococcus, streptococcus, E. coli and salmonella — as well as many viruses, including the flu and the common cold. It should also work on the novel coronavirus, according to the CDC, which notes that "unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted."

In its guidance for COVID-19, the CDC advises using a bleach solution with 5 tablespoons (1/3 cup) bleach per gallon of water, or 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water, and following manufacturer's instructions for application and ventilation.

While bleach can be an important disinfectant in some situations, though, it's also a potential hazard to human health, capable of not only irritating sensitive tissue in the eyes, skin, mouth and throat, but also contributing to long-term respiratory problems like asthma. Bleach can also be hazardous to pets, wildlife and ecological health. There are some safer alternatives in disinfecting wipes and cleaning sprays, although these eco-friendly choices may not be as effective in killing bacteria and viruses.

So I hope that you are keeping yourself well. And that these recipes can help you lower the amount of worry in your circle so that we keep panic at bay and enjoy the upcoming growing season.