When people say they want to "spice up" their lives, the way to do so might literally be found in the kitchen cabinet. Many herbs and spices have uses beyond spicing tonight's dinner.

Ginger "came out of the closet" when this tuberous root appeared in stories about sexual performance, and was claimed as a "cure" for male impotence. No wonder, then, that ginger reputedly promotes confidence, courage, assertiveness, as well as a good memory!

Not for the faint hearted, other spices, such as black pepper, whose oil is extracted from the plant's berries, come on as powerful, lusty essences; they are famous for their staying power--on the battlefield and in the bedroom. Basil's self-controlled sweetness, vanilla's rich softness, and sandalwood's round woodiness are often added to spicy fragrances to keep things on the civilized side.

Fill your bathtub with warm water and add the following:

Combine these Fredericksburg Herb Farm essential oils with Epsom Salts or Dead Sea Salts.

Relaxation Formula: 6 drops of Lavender Essential Oil and Ylang Ylang Essential Oil

Invigorating Formula: 6 drops each Peppermint Essential Oil and Eucalyptus Essential Oil.

Enjoy a cup of Fredericksburg Herb Farm Herb Tea, before and during your bath, or your favorite glass of wine, light one of the Herb Farm's famous candles, relax and you'll leave the bath refreshed.

Your bath time is a time to relax and unwind. A private world where yo can let all your stresses go, play some relaxing music, light a candle and enjoy a nice glass of wine.

2 cups of Powdered Milk
1/2 cup colloidal Oatmeal
15 drops of Rose Geranium oil
5 drops of Peppermint oil
1/3 cup Rose Flower Water
1/2 cup of clean Organic Rose petals

Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl. Draw your bath water and pour in the mixture, stirring until it is all dissolved, except for the rose petals which should be floating in the bath. Slowly lower yourself in the bath, and enjoy the silky moisturizing bath while relaxing and taking deep breaths and slowly exhaling.

Some homemade products can be used effectively to keep unwanted pests at bay. They are inexpensive and safe if used properly. Here are a few homemade recipes to try:

This toner reduces the puffiness of tired eyes. Rosewater tones skin and tightens pores while chamomile reduces inflammation. Store in a glass container and store in a cool dry place.

1 bag of chamomile tea
1 cup boiling water
1/2 cup rosewater

Mosquito
Bite
Relief!

3 tablespoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
6 tablespoons water

In a small mixing bowl, combine all ingredients together by stirring until a paste forms. Apply paste to the areas that mosquitoes have bitten and let sit for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.

Purpose to soothe areas swollen and irritated by mosquito bites.

Valentines Tussie-Mussie

Much of the earth’s bounty – from endive to mint, burdock to houseleeks, basil to coriander – has been claimed at one time or another to have magical powers of attracting love. The Victorian Age claimed the herb garden as their dictionary of love. With tussie-mussie (a bouquet composed of appropriately chosen herbs and flowers) in hand, man or woman could communicate tender thoughts that they wouldn't dare speak.

The following herbs may be used for a Valentines tussie-mussie, all with a central bunch of rosebuds as the motif:

Rosemary for remembrance, your presence revives me.

Myrtle for love.

Ivy for constancy and friendship.

Rose Geranium for preference.

Happiness.

Sage for domestic virtue and immortality.

Rose Buds for young love.

Statice for everlasting emotions.

Viola tricolor or Johnny Jump Up for thoughts of you or heart’s ease (St. Valentine’s herb)

Relaxing
Massage Oil

The warm,
sweet scent
of this oil
relaxes the mind
while the
anti-inflammatory
qualities of the
cinnamon and the
sesame oil
soothe
skin and
muscles.

1/4 C. sesame oil
2 T. almond oil
1/4 t. ground cinnamon
1/4 t. ground nutmeg
1 fresh rose geranium leaf

Combine ingredients with whisk or fork, then let stand for at least 3 hours. Strain mixture into jar through paper coffee filter, or paper towel to remove ground spices and herb leaf. Use liberally during massage.

After use, store mixture in a glass or plastic container and keep in a cool, dry place.

Recipe for Facial Massage

1 cup jojoba or almond oil
1 cup glycerin (vegetable is possible)
10 drops tea tree oil
2 tsp. fresh lemon juice

Mix the ingredients together and keep in a tinted glass jar. Use one to two teaspoons of the facial cleanser with 1 fl. oz. (30 mil.) of warm water and splash the diluted mixture on your face, massaging your skin as described. Wash off with cool running water.

Herbal Self Massage

Self massage is an excellent way to nurture your self. Imagine that you are sculpting our body into your desired form. The advantage of self-massage are many: from improving your circulation to toning up your muscles.

For facial massage, use jojoba or almond oil that has been warmed in your hands, and apply it to your face with gentle but firm fingers. Massage the contours of your face, starting from the middle of your face and following the line of your eyebrows, sinus passages and chin to the side of your face. Use both hands to perform the action on both sides of your face at the same time. When you have finished the massage allow the oil to stay on our face for at least five minutes, then wash it off with cool running water.

Herb Garden Holiday Potpourri

1 ounce orris root chips
6 drops lemon essential oil
6 drops lemon essential oil
6 drops lavender essential oil
6 drops orange essential oil
2 1/2 cups dried lemon verbena leaves
1 1/2 cups dried lemon balm
1 cup dried rosemary
1 cup dried lavender
1/2 cup dried thyme
1/2 cup dried sage
1/2 cup dried rose petals
1/2 cup dried yarrow blossoms
1/2 cup dried bay leaves
1/4 cup cinnamon sticks broken
1/2 cup lovage root
6 tablespoons dried orange peel

Make the potpourri, combine orris root and oils in small bowl.

Combine all of the other ingredients and stir in the orris root and oil mixture in a large bowl. Cover the bowl.

Let stand out of direct sunlight for 5 days, stirring occasionally.

Package in decorative bags and tie with a festive ribbon and give as gifts for the holiday season.

Headache Pillow

2 parts lavender
1 part each lemon, thyme, lemon verbena and woodruff

Add a pinch of rosemary to each pillow.

Feeling tired, wilted?

A Parsley or Tansyfoot soak can help perk you up. Brew a strong herb tea by steeping half a cup of bruised fresh leaves in two cups boiling water, cover for twenty minutes, then strain and stir into bath.

After a hike, long day of gardening, demanding workout, take a Santolina foot bath. Pick four fresh 10-inch branches of santolina, and bruise them lightly with the back of a spoon to release their aroma. Add them to a basin filled with two quarts hot water and a splash of olive oil. Put your feet in the basin and cover with a towel. Relax for ten minutes, dry feet and apply lotion.

Herb Vinegar Bath Splash

Forever Young Facial

Mash 3 large strawberries into 1/4 cup vinegar and let it sit for 2 hours. Then strain the vinegar through a cloth. Pat the strawberry infused vinegar onto the face and neck. Wash off in the morning. Skin will soon be smooth and free of blemishes.

"The smell of basil is good for the heart and the head, that the seed cureth the infirmities of the heart, taketh away sorrowfulness which cometh of melancholy...maketh a man merrie and glad."

--John Gerard, 1597