Lynn Smythe
How to Make Potpourri
November 20th 2008 17:56
My article, Homemade Potpourri; Spicy Lemon, Holiday Spice and Pine Forest Aromatics, first appeared on the Suite101 website on November 12th, 2007. Over one year has passed since the article was first published, I am now free to submit the article to other sites.
Article Overview
Methods and formulations for creating perfumed herb and spice blends.
Gardeners can grow, harvest and dry a variety of herbs and spices to use in their own potpourri blends. The goal of drying materials for use in potpourri is to keep the pieces of herb as large as possible. Potpourri is a decorative as well as aromatic item to display throughout the home. Small, powdery pieces of plant materials are not only unattractive but the slightest breeze will cause them to blow all over the place.
See the article, How to Dry Fresh Herbs, for information on how to dry fresh herbs which can then be used in a variety of potpourri recipes.
In lieu of growing potpourri ingredients, all the necessary supplies can be purchased from a variety of online sources. Companies such as San Francisco Herb & Natural Food Co., From Nature With Love and Glenbrook Farms offer a wonderful selection of bulk herbs, spices and fragrant essential oils for sale.
Extending Potpourri Fragrance
Potpourri that is no longer fragrant does not have to be thrown out. Place the potpourri into a large container then add a couple of drops of a complimentary essential oil. Place the lid on the container then shake well. Leave the potpourri in the container for a day or two to allow the scent of the essential oil to thoroughly permeate throughout all the materials. The potpourri is then ready to be used throughout the house.
Potpourri Recipes
Add all the dry ingredients for each recipe to a large bowl. Then add the essential oil one drop at a time to the dry ingredients and stir together until well blended. Store each blend in an airtight container with a tight fitting lid. Keep your containers full of finished potpourri out of direct sunlight and away from any heat sources. When ready to use, pour out a small amount of potpourri into a decorative bowl or jar which can then be placed in a location such as a guest room or powder-room. A bowl full of aromatic potpourri placed in the home office, is sure to get the creative juices flowing.
Spicy Lemon Fresh Potpourri Recipe
This formulation makes a spicy, refreshing, cleansing blend.
Ingredients:
* 2 cups lemon verbena leaves
* 2 cups chopped lemon grass leaves
* ¼ cup whole cloves
* ¼ cup dried lemon peel
* 10 drops lemon essential oil
* 10 drops clove essential oil
Holiday Spice Potpourri Recipe
This blend is nice to have on hand during the Thanksgiving holiday. Its wonderfully spicy scent imparts an apple pie-like aroma to the home.
Ingredients:
* 1 cup dried apple peel
* 1 cup dried orange peel
* ½ cup cinnamon stick pieces
* ½ cup star anise pods
* ¼ cup whole allspice berries
* ¼ cup whole cloves
* ¼ cup tonka bean pieces
* 15-20 drops clove essential oil
Pine Forest Potpourri Recipe
This blend is nice to use during the Christmas holidays.
Ingredients:
* 1 cup whole bay leaves
* 1 cup rosemary leaves
* 1 cup patchouli leaves
* ½ cup juniper berries
* ½ cup cinnamon stick pieces
* ¼ cup sandalwood chips
* 15-20 drops rosemary essential oil
Simmering Potpourri
Dry potpourris have a very subtle scent. For a more powerful kick, add a few tablespoons of a favorite potpourri blend to a sauce pan full of water. Bring the water to a boil then turn the heat down to a low simmer adding additional water as needed throughout the day.
Blends such as the Holiday Spice Blend or Pine Forest Blend can be use throughout the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. When guests enter the house, they are greeted by a delightful spicy fragrance.
Copyright Information
The copyright of the article Homemade Potpourri is owned by Lynn Smythe. Permission to republish Homemade Potpourri in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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