Pagan Village News

Merry Meet and Welcome all readers. It is my pleasure to be presenting to you the Herb of the Month. With the Summer upon us and all those pesky little creatures that pinch and bite, I am hoping to give you some means and ways of dealing with them on a humane level. Although many pesticides can be purchased in drug stores, supermarkets, and even your local Lowell’s or Home Depot, there is not much offered in alternative methods to protect yourselves, your children, pets, and even wildlife.

The first item I would like to present is how to make your own oil/lotion. It is simple, easy, and actually fun. But there are several things one must make sure to do for an appropriate strength lotion as well as preparation of to prevent it going rancid. Oils last an indefinite period of time. The key is to maintain.

Many herbs repel mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, and flies. I like to use a combination of things in my oils, not only for a pleasing scent, but also for a more potent lotion. Herbs that repel the above mentioned pesties are:

Leaves from a citronella plant

Lavender flowers

Basil Leaves

Pennyroyal

Thyme Leaves

Neem Leaf

Tea Tree Oil

Use glass jars. Make sure they are cleaned with mild soapy water, rinsed thoroughly, and dried completely. If using fresh leaves and/or flowers, make sure that they are rinsed and dried before making. Make sure all bruised, browned, or eaten leaves are taken off. Apparently some of the essence and true value has been taken away from these. Once these are dried, you can use a combination thereof to make your oil. I like using two parts citronella leaves, one part lavender flowers, and one-part mixtures of Basil Leaves and Thyme Leaves. Pennyroyal is wonderful and even though you can add an essential oil equal to the plants recommended, I am not thrilled with the smell. To each his own.

Place all dried herbs in jar and fill to the rim with extra virgin olive oil (any brand will do, even the cheapest). I usually use pure vitamin E oil (at least one part to olive oil). Once the jar is full, place cap on tightly and put out in sun for three weeks; bring them in each night so if the temperature drops there will be no chance of moisture seeping in if the lid is not on tight enough. Shake the jar and then place in the sun again the next day. If you have several days where the sun is not shining, place them out there anyway. I find that even though it may be cloudy the suns’ energy is strong enough at least to assist on those days. Make sure you mark the jar specifically with the contents and date you began. Each night you may want to check for air pockets and you can even add more dried herbs if you would like. Once three weeks/or more have passed, take a jelly bag or cheesecloth and strain the herbs out of the oil. Once you have this done, you can determine how much oil you actually have to add essential oils if needed or wanted. Tea Tree Oil is a wonderful additive. Add about 10-15 drops per ounce of oil. Mark date on jar, with ingredients; place in cool dry storage area. You want to be sure to occasionally check for “mother”. This is like the sediment you will get from Apple Cider or Vinegar that forms on the bottom of the jar. If this happens, restrain the oil and store.

Now, on to other things regarding Summer’s Herbal Protectors

Waters are an easy solution to make, but they do not last long and are generally made close to the time of use. Just for safety sake, I only keep my water for repellent usage for about one week. If it begins to even smell like it is turning, then I discard and make more if needed. This is especially good for children who love to swim. You can put it on before and after swimming and there you will not get that oily residue

floating on top of your pool. These are good also for those of us who don’t really like that oily feeling on our skin. But, with any herbal repellent, a little dab will do you. Remember, we are dealing with Mother’s Potent Potions and they are stronger, if not more effective than store bought items that are watered down.

Preparing waters is quite easy and a quick process. You can use the herbs mentioned above or use one or more of the following as well:

Fennel

Pyrethrium Daisies

Bay Leaf

Tansy

Cloves

I always use an enamel pan because unlike Farberware or other Teflon coated pans it does not cause risk of damaging the plants natural values and glass pans are recommended as well.

Depending on how much you are making will depend on the size jar you use. I believe a lot of this is just common sense as well as how strong you want your repellent to be. I have learned through trial and error, yet I like my lotions and waters strong. I use less and unlike the water, the oil lasts much longer. If you are using quart jars use about 1/2 cup more water. Place herbs in jar, remember, and fill to the top, as they will shrink down once they are wet. Once water is boiled, pour into jar to the bottom rim. Seal cap tightly and let simmer 2 to three hours. Strain and recap remembering to label date and ingredients. That’s it! Plain and simple.

One way to make this last even longer is to use an essential oil with it. This is called making an emulsification. You will need:

2 ozs of distilled or spring water

2 ounces of olive oil

120-130 drops of citronella essential oil or any herbal essential oil mentioned above or a combination thereof.

Place water in glass mixing bowl. Add olive slowly while beating vigorously. If you have a glass blender this can work exceptionally well. You should get a nice white creamy lotion. You can add a few more drops of any essential oil. Pour lotion into bottle and label with date and ingredients used. As mentioned, this lasts longer than the essential waters but remember to check occasionally.

IN YOUR GARDEN:

Love sitting on your patio, porch, and deck, around the swimming pool but are always chased inside by those pesky, beloved insects of Mother Nature? Here a few ideas for container or garden plants to place around these areas or at least within close proximity to ward them off:

For Ants: Tansy

For Fleas: Brewers Yeast, Garlic, Fennel, Pennyroyal, Pyrethrium Daisies

A wonderful combination you can make to use in pets food to protect against fleas is garlic and brewers yeast. Most pets love this. If not, take a glass jar; fill with pennyroyal and cover with boiling water. You may add more pennyroyal if needed. Cover jar tightly and steep for at least 3 hours. Strain and place in clean plastic spray bottle. Spray on pets before going outdoors. You can even soak their collars in it, provided they are not made of leather. You can also put pennyroyal oil on the collar to repel fleas and ticks. Don’t forget also that a few drops of pennyroyal oil and water can be mixed and sprayed on animal bedding.

For Flies: Basil, Bay Leaf, Tansy Cloves

For Mice: Any mint plants

For Moths: Basil, Bay Leaf, Cedar, Cloves, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Rue, Santolina, Tansy, Thyme, and Wormwood

Mints are good as well, but not peppermint. You can also make sachets with any combination of these herbs to hang in your closet or place in your drawers.

Outdoors on decks, patios, pool areas, porches:

Basil

Bay leaf

Citronella Plant

Garlic

Neem Leaf

Rue

Also you may use oils mentioned above or Tea Tree Oil or Witch Hazel

Weevils/Moles: Place whole leaves of Bay leaf, grain or flour in a bag that is well ventilated. Place these packages either under the soil near their favorite goodie plants or place around garden areas.

For grubs: Before planting, turn soil about 4-5 inches. Sprinkle with Sea Salt. Don’t be moderate, for when the rains begin is when they begin to mingle about. I like this idea even better than a product that doesn’t harm children, pets, or wildlife, but I have discovered after using one of these products that my chipmunks have not been seen in four days. So, in order to prevent any doubt, I am only suggesting this.

I have found it best to go out after each rain, check under plants, stems, pots (if container gardening). Most times you will find that they love Hostas and I have also discovered creeping phlox. I will go out with my salt, and sprinkle on top of the soil underneath the branches and leaves. I have had no problem so far with it damaging any of my plants or herbs. So, just a suggestion. Lift container gardens, sometimes they get in through the pot through the drainage holes and sprinkle sea salt underneath.

Well everyone, that’s about it for now. With this I will begin working on tinctures preparations for the coming fall months as well as some wonderful herbs for bath and body treatment throughout the cold months. I know...brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, don’t mention it.

Many Blessings and I hope you all enjoy

Silver Spiritwolf

But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.
--Thomas Jefferson, Notes on Virginia, 1782