The Homesteader’s Herbal Companion (Lyons Press, 2018) by Amy K. Fewell helps beginners and experts alike make the most of their homegrown herbs. This guide takes readers through the basics of using herbs in their home. Fewell speaks from experience, after growing her own herbs for years. The following excerpt is her mixtures for making your own herbal blends.
You can make your very own blends of essential oils for topical use or for roll-on bottles. This is one of the most efficient ways to take advantage of multiple oils that have similar uses. Simply add drops of the oils to a roll-on bottle or new essential oil bottle, then fill the remaining portion of the bottle with carrier oil. I typically only use 1-ounce bottles to make blends, as they begin to lose their potency once blended with a carrier oil. Use up these blends within six months.
Headache Blend: Use this blend to help reduce stress and tension headaches.
• Peppermint
• Frankincense
Respiratory Blend: The perfect blend for allergy season, respiratory infections and colds, or when you need open airways.
• Peppermint
• Eucalyptus (E. radiata)
• Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
• Clove
Women’s Blend: This blend saves me every month. It’s perfect for hormonal balance, thyroid function, and overall monthly “time of the month” comfort.
• Clary Sage
• Bergamot
• Ylang Ylang
• Geranium
• Tangerine
• Cinnamon Bark
Digestive Blend: When you’ve eaten too much at Thanksgiving, or when your body needs extra digestive aid, this is the blend to rub on your tummy or ingest by capsule.
• Ginger
• Peppermint
• Fennel, Lavender
“I’ve Got Joy” Blend: I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart. Where? I remember singing that joyful song when I was a kid, and now it gets to spill over into this joyful blend! Use this blend when you need emotional support or you’re just feeling down and tired.
• Lavender
• Tangerine
• Lemongrass
• Lemon Balm (Melissa)
• Ylang Ylang
• Hawaiian Sandalwood
Immune-Boosting Blend: This blend is best put on the bottoms of the feet in the evenings before going to bed. Use this blend to boost immunity and help your body fight colds and general sickness.
• Clove
• Cinnamon Bark
• Eucalyptus (E. radiata)
• Rosemary
• Oregano
• Tea Tree
Wound Healing Blend: This blend has taken the place of peroxide or rubbing alcohol in our house when it comes to cleaning out wounds. Use this blend to clean and heal wounds more quickly—for humans and animals!
• Tea Tree
• Oregano
• Lavender
• Helichrysum
Sleepytime Blend: When the little ones need some extra comfort and encouragement to fall asleep or when you just need to promote a sense of rest—use this. Just do it. Use topically or aromatically.
• Lavender
• Roman Chamomile
• Vetiver
• Cedarwood
• Ylang Ylang
• Marjoram
Purifying Blend: Toss this blend into soiled clothing in the wash. Diffuse it in the air during times of sickness. Whatever you do, this blend helps cleanse and purify.
• Lemon
• Lime
• Tea Tree
• Cilantro
• White Fir
Bug-Repelling Blend: I’m not sure where we would be without this blend. It saves our legs from mass attacks by mosquitoes in the summer months—the perfect bug-repelling blend! Put into a spray bottle with witch hazel or simply make a blend to use directly on the skin with carrier oil.
• Ylang Ylang
• Cedarwood
• Citronella
• Lemongrass
• Eucalyptus
• Arborvitae
• Catnip
More From: The Homesteader’s Herbal Companion
• Herbal Companion Planting
• Drying and Storing Your Herbs
• Natural Herbal Gummies
• Using Natural Herbs for Dogs
Reprinted with permission fromThe Homesteader’s Herbal Companion (2018), by Amy K. Fewell and published by Lyons Press.
