From the Herb Basket – 29

Sensational Cinnamon
Give your hair a boost. Mix 1/4 cup each of ground cinnamon and honey. Apply to the scalp, leave it on for 10 minutes and then rinse. Cinnamon increases blood flow to the scalp and could stimulate hair growth.

Make a moth repellent with 2 cinnamon sticks and 1 teaspoon each black peppercorns and whole cloves. Add these to sachets bags and place in drawers and closets.

Hide scuff marks on wooden floors and furniture. Use a cotton swab dipped in ground cinnamon and gently rub it on the scuff marks.

Did you know? Ancient Egyptians sprinkled ground cinnamon on the navels of newborn babies to keep the area from becoming infected.

Mint bashing
Tie 6 to 8 branches of peppermint or spearmint together with a ribbon. Gently “bash” your arms and legs with the mint bundle to increase blood flow. Very stimulating before a shower. The menthol is invigorating and increases alertness to the brain.

Water newly planted herb plants with 2 gallons of warm water combined with 1 packet of dry yeast. The yeast will gently feed the herbs for several days as they settle into their surroundings. The warm water will help the plants overcome transplant shock.

Plant herbs this month so that they have time to adjust to soil and air temperatures as the cold weather sets in.

Pumpkins and winter squash can last up to 2 months if stored at 55 F. Keep them away from ripening apples and pears though.

To make a fragrant bouquet for seldom-used rooms, incorporate bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, fresh peppermint and rosemary into foot long evergreen branches. Use florist wire to fasten the herbs to the branches.

Basil loses flavor as it is cooked, so add it only at the last few minutes of cooking.

Now is the time to clean out birdhouses and put up new ones. Sprinkle dried lemon balm or lavender buds inside of them to attract a variety of birds.

When thinning herbs, remember that basil, marjoram, sage and thyme are easy to transplant. You can move the extra plants somewhere else. Deep-rooted herbs such as dill and parsley don’t like to be moved.

A blessed Samhain to my brothers and sisters here at Mystical Magical Herbs.

~ Meadow Walker

Image courtesy of: http://naturalsociety.com/ .