www.barefootherbs.co.za

Issue 61                                                                                                        February 2010

 From Sharon’s Garden

I am so pleased that so many of you are thrilled with the new articles in the newsletter.  I have had so many compliments and lots of requests for the recipes so here are the first ones.  Although it takes a bit of getting used to, once you start using the products it becomes easier.  Leaving the bowl of herbal water in the sink will remind you to use it.

Last month I recommended the wash balls but gave out the wrong email address – sorry about that!  You can order them from

www.thegreenshop.co.za or www.greenonline.co.za

I don’t usually recommend any books but I have been given a copy of Pat Featherstone’s ‘Grow to Live’  If you are interested in organic gardening, either as a complete novice or a more experienced gardener then this is the book to buy.  For the novice it explains EVERYTHING
 
There are hundreds of different recipes for green cleaning and some work better than others.  Below are the recipes that I use and as you can see they are easy to make and don’t have too many ingredients.  For dishes I still buy a dishwashing liquid and in the washing machine, the wash balls and vinegar instead of a softner.
Kitchen Cleaning
This is the room that needs the most, and heaviest, cleaning.  As it is also the place that food is stored and prepared, you need to be sure that there are as few harmful chemicals around as possible.  Although the following recipes are environmentally friendly, always make sure cleaning products are properly wiped down to avoid them contaminating food.

Herbal Water
Put a large handful of fresh herbs, a mixed bunch is better,  into a bowl or jug.  Herbs such as rosemary, lavender, mints, sage, thyme, lemon peels etc. work well. Cover the herb with boiling water and leave to stand for 10-15 minutes.  You can strain it if you wish, but I generally leave the herbs in. Instead of plain tap water, use this throughout the day to wipe down counters, floors and cupboards.  Using the disinfecting herbs ensures that your counters are permanently cleaned, plus there is the added benefit of repelling insects, including flies.

Liquid Soap
This liquid soap forms the base of several cleaners.  It is a pure soap and can also be used in a pump bottle as a hand and body soap.(You can  use glycerine soap if you prefer)

½ cup pure Sunlight soap (the blue bars)

2 cups boiling water

5 cups cold water

Grate the soap and add the boiling water.  Stir until the soap dissolves and then add the remaining water.

All Purpose Cleaner
¼ cup liquid soap

2 cups hot water

1 Tbsp borax

4 Tbsp vinegar

Combine all ingredients and when cool pour into a spray bottle.

in detail, and, for those with no money, how to start your garden with pretty much nothing other than lots of enthusiasm.

On the subjects of gardens, you are probably finding yours is suffering from too much rain. I have now dug up the smaller lavenders that have survived so far and also the sages.  They are in pots under roofing and much happier with soil that is drier.  Other herbs seem to be coping and some, such as mints, are thriving.  Vegetables are also reacting in different ways, If your tomatoes are splitting from growing too quickly, the best is to cook them into a thick pasta sauce which can be frozen.  I think patty pans and baby marrows are growing by the hour and my brinjals are also huge, so there is lots of ratatouille and parmagiana in the freezer!

On that note I hope you have a fabulous month – enjoy the rain whilst it is here and make your environmentally friendly cleaning products  I cant say enjoy, I don’t think enjoy and cleaning could EVER be in the same sentence!

Sharon
 Heavy Duty Cleaner

This cleaner works extremely well on most surfaces.

1 cup liquid soap (see above)

1 cup bicarbonate of soda

1 Tbsp borax

Combine and mix well

Fill a separate spray bottle with vinegar.

To use apply some of the bicarbonate mixture with a cloth or brush.  Spray with vinegar and leave it to fizz for 10-15 minutes.  Wipe clean with warm water.  For very heavy grease, repeat the process.

Dishwasher Powder & Rinse Aid
You can either use 1 – 2 Tbsp washing soda in place of the powder or use 3 Tbsp bicarbonate of soda. 

For a rinse aid use white vinegar.

The salt can be any coarse salt, it does not have to be a brand name!

Pots and Pans
Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda onto the burned on foods and spray with vinegar.  Leave for 30 minutes and then wash off.  This may have to be repeated.

Or:  simmer three big handfuls of sorrel with 1-2 cups of water for 30 minutes.  Leave overnight and wash in the morning. 

Tea and Coffee Stains
Mix bicarbonate of soda to a paste with warm water and scrub the inside of the mugs.

Oven Cleaner
Use the heavy duty cleaner – clean once and then leave a second application on over night.

If something spills in the oven, pour salt over it while the oven is still warm.  When cool, scrape up the salt and wipe clean.

Fridges
Keep a small bowl of bicarbonate of soda in the fridge to absorb smells.

Use dissolve 2 tsp bicarbonate of soda in 500ml warm water.  With about 1 Ttbsp  liquid soap (see above)

Drains
To keep drains fresh and clean use this treatment once a week.

½ cup bicarbonate of soda

1 cup vinegar

2 litres boiling water (or very hot water)

Pour the bicarbonate of soda down the drain and then the vinegar.  Leave it to fizz for 5 minutes and then pour down the boiling water. 

For blocked drains pour down 1 cup bicarbonate of soda and then 2 cups vinegar.  Quickly plug the sink/bath and keep your hand over the plug.  The resulting fizz should unblock the drain.
 
Ingenious Page

Uit Letitia se tuin :

 Terwyl Sharon wenke en raad gee vir praktiese alternatiewe vir skoonmaakmiddels in die huis,  gaan ek begin met die liggaam.  Eers net ‘n paar basiese  kruie wat in die bad gebruik kan word, daarna kyk ons na die noodsaaklike en ‘n bietjie bederf.  So volgende maand is dit die voete (my gunsteling) en daarna die hande, lyf en laastens na die miljoen dollar industrie van gesigsprodukte.   Onthou ons werkswinkels as jy praktiese leiding in die maak van enige van hierdie en ander preparate benodig.

Ek kan dit nie genoeg beklemtoon nie dat al is ‘n resep 100% van kruie, kan dit nog steeds onaangename  gevolge hê.  Maak asb dood seker dat jy ‘n middel kan gebruik – al pluk jy dit in jou eie tuin en al gooi jy dit saam in jou eie kombuis!!!

Ek het verlede maand met ‘n obgelooflike kursus in Donkerhoek (Pretoria) begin.  Die naweek was ongelooflike maar toe begin die  twyfel.  Ek het my ou kinesiologie boeke uit gehaal en is besig om myself net nog meer deurmekaar te maak.

Ek wonder of Verona besef hoeveel “Waaroms?” en “Hoekoms?” vir haar voorlê

Letitia

letitia@barefootherbs.co.za

 082 451 9876
 

Herbal Bath Treatments

Bath bags are a very simple yet effective way to use herbs.  By using pretty organza bags, colourful ribbons and an attractive container, they make for a valued present.

Bath Bags

1 – 2 tsp dried herb

1 tbsp Epsom salts  and/or  rolled oats and/or salt

Muslin squares  /  netting  /  nappy liners

String  /  cord  /  ribbons

Mix well together, place in muslin squares and tie with cord

Epsom salts are cleansing, removing toxins from the body & also help with relaxation

Oats soften the water, ideal for skin problems

The herb mix can consist of as many or few herbs as you wish

When using fresh herbs, they must obviously be used immediately

Herbs to use in the Bath for:

Relaxing

Elder Flowers

Lavender

Lemon Balm

Chamomile

Catnip

Rose

Lemon verbena

Mugwort

Valerian

To induce restful and heeling sleep

Hops

Lime Blossom

Valerian

Children with sleeping problems

Chamomile

Lime Blossom.

Colds 

Thyme

Sage

mints

Eucalyptus

Celery seed

Lemon peel

Catnip
 Upliftment

Mints

Lemon Verbena

Lemon peel

Orange peel

Basil

Rosemary

Cinnamon

Parsley

Clary sage

Body detox

Dandelion

grapefruit peel

Fennel

Peppermint

Improving circulation

Cayenne

Rosemary

Ginger

Celery seed

Mustard seed

Coriander seed

Cinnamon

Thyme

Yarrow

 Skin (general)

Clary Sage

Sage

Rose

Pelargonium

Yarrow

Strawberry leaves

Raspberry leaves

Lemon peel/slices

Calendula

Rosemary

Oily skin

Lemongrass

Lovage

Yarrow

Toning the skin

Lavender

Nettles

Peppermint

Thyme

Yarrow.

Infective skin disorders

Lavender

Peppermint

Thyme
 

De-stress, calming & relaxing herb bath:

60 ml dried lavender

60 ml dried lemon balm

30 ml dried mint

Combine and place in bath bag

60 ml peach leaves

120 ml lavender

120 ml violet flowers

120 ml pansies

120 ml spearmint

120 ml rose petals

120 ml passion flowers

120 ml St Johns Wort

 Mix together and place in jar.  Use 1 – 2 tbsp

2 parts lavender

2 parts Epsom salt

2 parts rose petals

1 part chamomile

Bath bags to relieve breathing problems and colds:

30 ml dried lavender

30 ml dried rosemary

15 ml ginger powder

15 ml dried eucalyptus

Place in bath bags.  The bag can be used to scrub skin as well.

Mix equal parts of:

chamomile flowers

Echinacea root

mullein leaves

passionflower leaves

2 parts powdered eucalyptus leaves

2 parts powdered rosemary leaves

2 parts powdered pennyroyal leaves and flower tops

Bath bags for sore aching muscles or joints:

1 cup dried Thyme

1 cup dried rosemary

1 cup lavender

½ cup cramp bark

½ cup Epsom salt

Combine ingredients and store in a airtight container

Use 2- 3 tbsp in bath bag 

1 cup chamomile

½ cup lemon balm

½ cup lavender

1 cup rose petals

½ cup rosemary

½ cup comfrey

Combine ingredients and store in a airtight container

Use 2- 3 tbsp in bath bag

250 ml dried chamomile

12 dried bay leaves, crushed

60 ml dried rose petals

60 ml dried sage

60 ml dried rosemary

60 ml dried eucalyptus

Mix herbs well,  place 2 – 3 tbsp in bath bags 

A combination of

sage and strawberry leaves

or

sage and mugwort

or

agrimony, chamomile and mugwort

can be quite soothing

Need inspiration ?  Try this combination of herbs and essential oils:

250 ml fresh lemon balm

60 ml grapefruit peel

1 cup bergamot

2 bay leaves

8 drops grapefruit essential oil

8 drops bergamot essential oil

Mix together in a jar.  Place 1 – 2 tbsp in bath bag.

Warning:

PLEASE take special care if pregnant or if you are suffering from high blood pressure. 

If you are using ANY chronic medication, contact your health practitioner first.
 
The Last Page 

Plants Wanted, For Sale or to Swop

I wonder whether you or anyone in your network can help? I am looking for Iris germanica ‘Florentina’ – Orris root – rhizomes for propagating and replanting.

Ulrich Feiter

Ulrich.feiter@parceval.co.za

I am a horticultural student looking for specific seeds urgently for a project!
Wonder if you could possibly send me some information or a price list.
I live in Pretoria and would prefer if it was close by.
Any help will do!
Thank you,
Monique Gerber.

moniquegerb@hotmail.com

Courses and Workshops

February & March 2010

Muldersdrift

27 February 2010  Organic gardening

Venue:  Barefoot Herbs – Meyerton
 
Contact – Letitia  082 451 9876
 
6 Feb
 Herbal Valentine Treats
 
13 Feb
 Liquors & non-alcoholic Herbal drinks
 
27 Feb
 Plant sales at Kliphouse Market, Henley-on-Klip
 
13 March
 Thai Cooking with locally available herbs – R200

Learn how to make Red & Green curry paste, 2 soups, 2 main dishes, recipes from Chaing May Cooking Schools
 
27 March
 Plant sales at Kliphouse Market, Henley-on-Klip
 

The following workshops are available on request

for groups of 5 or more: 

Liqueur making,

organic gardening,

bath and skin products,

herb and spice mixes for culinary use,

herbal first aid box,

herbal products for babies and toddlers,

herbal remedies for common ailments,

green cleaning for the home.

Courses and workshops cost R300,

which includes all materials,

a recipe booklet and refreshments.
 Contact Us :

Sharon

sharon@barefootherbs.co.za

Tel 011 957 2413     Cell: 082 415 3743

Letitia

letitia@barefootherbs.co.za

Tel: 016 362 0754    Cell: 082 451 9876

Visit our Website

www.barefootherbs.co.za

and see photos, past newsletters, products and recipes