General Instructions
for
Basic Herbal Recipes

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tea, powder, tinctures, syrup, oil and ointment.

But First:
Answers to your Recipes questions:

Yes, I could make this easier to search.  That is not the point however.  Think of it as wandering in a garden to see what is ripe.  Chose something that looks good today.
T. = tablespoon   t. = teaspoon  C = cup
Required pantry supplies are listed in bold type--check that you have what you need before beginning.
No, I have not had time to test all of these recipes.  (Remember, the more I expand this site, the more I find myself using it as my grimoire.  I include many things that I intend to try so I can keep track of them ;-)
I have marked, with a *comment, those that I have used satisfactorily.
Newest recipes will be entered at the top of the list.
PLEASE E-mail me if you find a problem or would like to recommend a recipe as particularly good.
Disclaimer:
These recipes are not substitutes for medical attention.  Use at your own risk.  Liz Crowe will be held harmless in the event of allergic reaction or any other injury incurred during the making or use of these recipes.  By choosing to use a recipe, you agree to accept all risk.

Witches' Garden

Maiden, Mother Crone Craft
Maiden
Mother
Crone


Tea
Put the chosen herb or herbs into a pot or cup.  Use approximately 
one teaspoon dried 
or two teaspoons fresh herbs 
to each one cup of water. 
Add boiling water, cover with a lid, and let steep for 10-15 minutes. 
Strain and drink as desired.  Drink hot or cold. 
Teas will keep under refrigeration for 24 hours.
Animated Cup
from 
LittleWing Graphics
Powder
Sift together 
1/2 cup baking soda
1/4 cup orris root powder 1 cup corn starch. 
Scent and/or charge with very finely ground herbs, spices or flower petals.  Aging improves the scent.
Tinctures
Place 5 ounces dried herbs or 
10 ounces fresh herbs into a clean jar of sufficient size to hold the herbs and two cups of liquid. 
Add one cup vodka and one cup water. 
Cork or cover.  Allow the herbs to steep in a sunny, warm, location for a month.  Shake the jar gently each day.
Strain.  Store the tincture in a dark glass bottle with a stopper.  Tinctures will remain useful for approximately 12 months.
Syrup
Place 1 1/4 pounds of sugar or honey into a pan. 
Add 4 cups of water.  Heat gently, stirring to dissolve sugar or honey. 
Add 5 ounces plant material and heat gently for 5 minutes. 
Turn off heat and allow to steep, covered with a cloth, over night. 
Strain and store in an airtight, dark colored bottle. 
Herb syrup will keep for approximately 12 months.
Cold Infused Oils
For external use.
Fill a glass storage jar with the flowers or leaves of the chosen herb or herbs.  Cover herbs with a light vegetable oil.  Cover with a lid and allow to steep in a sunny location for one or two weeks.  Shake the jar each day. 
Strain the herbs, reserving oil.  Using said oil, repeat the process as above until oil carries the degree of scent you desire. 
Store in stoppered bottles.
Use as bath or massage oil or as a skin or hair conditioner.
Ointment

Steep 3-4 tablespoons of herbs in 1 cup of mineral oil, over a  very low fire until the oil is strongly scented.  To gain the scent you want, you may have to repeat this process with additional herbs. 
Strain.  Beat approximately 2 tablespoons of honey into the oil until smooth.  Add beeswax equal to 1/2 of a nine inch taper.  Allow to melt and then begin beating.  (For extra moisturizing quality, add aloe gel or shaved cocoa butter at this time.  Start with small amounts of aloe until you get a feel for what the gel will do to thin your ointment.  Cocoa butter bars are solid to start with, and will effect consistency less.) 
When the ointment begins to get creamy and semi-solid, pour it into a container with a lid.  This ointment will keep for approximately one year.

Items such as mineral oil and orris root powder
can usually be found at large drug stores
and/or
health food shops.

Witches' Garden
Maiden Mother Crone Craft

Maiden
Mother
Crone

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