By Jessica Shepherd
February has been a wonderful month of celebrating quite a few of my cherished friend’s birthdays. I will admit, I get a little “Martha Stewart” (and proud of it!) when it comes to my “all things herbal” life and I keep my pantry stocked—so when birthdays of treasured friend’s and family roll around I’m ready to pour my love into crafting them a one-of-a kind hand made herbal treat–sure to delight!
I make sure to have a collection of glassware—jars, bottles, etc., plenty of herbs and flowers of course, then there’s carrier oils, butters, hydrosols, salts, and essential oils you get the picture…it’s like my magical little nook of inspiration—I open the door and the ideas start swirling!
This time around it was a delicious bath soak. I set my eyes on some seaweed a dear friend had recently wild-crafted in Mendocino County and it sent me dreaming of mermaids for a moment and I knew it was meant to be a part of this aromatic soaking blend.
So here’s the recipe for you to treat your friend’s too, or better yet treat yourself! Soak up the wonder’s of bliss from aromatherapy, the relaxation and minerals of salts, herbs, and flowers, and the soothing quality of seaweed.
The smell of this blend is heavenly-sweet, with soothing vanilla and ylang ylang to melt your stresses away! The essential oils in this recipe are all well known to bring about deep relaxation, calm mental-chatter, elevate mood/promote euphoria, and comfort the heart; seaweed’s are famous for their ability to soothe, heal, and moisturize the skin and offer a bounty of minerals; the herbs and flowers relax the muscles and rejuvenate skin cells; sea salt and pink salt relax and purify both body and mind.
Here’s what you’ll need:
½ cup each dried: Rose petals, Lavender, Calendula, Lemon Balm, Linden blossom/leaf, Chamomile
approx. 4 (6-8 inch) strips of Kombu seaweed
1/4 cup Vanilla bean powder
Lavender angustifolia essential oil 40 drops
Ruby Red Grapefruit essential oil 25 drops
Ylang Ylang extra essential oil 25 drops
As always organic or home-grown herbs are preferred!
Support your local farms and your local herb shop too!
This recipe filled 3 approx. 8oz. heart jars (which I scored at Michaels Craft Store) and one 16oz. jar
Begin by mixing together the sea salt, pink salt, and baking soda together
Next add in the essential oils, stir well with a whisk, then add the vanilla bean extract, and whisk well, then finally add in the vanilla bean powder and whisk/mix well trying to break up any clumps
Now snip into pieces, and add in the kombu to the aromatic salt mixture
Next add in all of the beautiful flowers and herbs: roses, calendula, linden, lavender, chamomile, lemon balm (and of course any others you desire!!)
After a final mixing of all the divine ingredients, you can put it into any jar of your choice…I always like a little piece of seaweed on top…
the scent exuding from this jar is exotic, tropical-floral, with a wink of citrus, finished with a ripple of vanilla to soothe the soul!
You can also include a little muslin cotton drawstring(optional) bag for easy use and re-use– and of course, a little label with ingredients and instructions. I like to use about a 1/2 cup of soak blend per bath–up to a full cup if your feelin’ like a queen! Scoop it into the wee cotton bag, toss it in as you run the hot water for your soak, then let it infuse the whole time that well, you do! When you treat yourself to this soak you will be oh, so glad you did—if you find that after the first 10 minutes or so you relax into sheer bliss and content (somehow forgetting about your stiff neck and silly worries)—yup that’s aromatherapy and herbs at work–give thanks!
Soak your way into Spring and bask in the Mermaid’s Garden– let the waters cradle you and let the herbs and beauty of the sea-plants restore you. Prepare for Bliss!
Loved your soup!! It was super hearty, warming and delicious!