It’s Murphy’s Law, the business lunch edition: if you have a garlicky meal, you’ll quickly discover you’re out of gum. What to do?
Chew on that sprig of parsley that garnished your meal. This herb is a great breath freshener, likely due to its high levels of chlorophyll—a natural bad odor neutralizer.
Herbs have a rich history of use as everything from disinfectants to natural beauty treatments. Today, herbs are just as eco-friendly, economical and effective.
Herbs as household helpers
1. Repel pests
Medical herbalist Katolen Yardley suggests growing fragrant herbs like rosemary, comfrey and mint to ward off mice and insects.
“These are aromatic plants … and the smell is what repels a lot of insects,” she explains.
Don’t have the time or space to grow herbs? No problem. Just buy dried herbs and crush them.
“Lavender powder, for example, could be sprinkled onto a pet’s bedding to help repel fleas,” says Yardley.
2. Protect clothes
Yardley lauds lavender in particular as a moth repellent. “Growing lavender in a flower pot … or even putting [bundles of lavender leaves] in clothing will help to protect them from moths,” she says.
3. Clean surfaces
For a simple all-purpose cleaner, fill a large spray bottle with the following ingredients:
- water
- 1 capful of liquid castile soap
- 15 to 20 drops of herbal essential oil like basil, rosemary, lavender or sage
4. Dye hard
Calendula, or pot marigold, is known for its use in soaps; however, this plant’s sunny hue also makes it a natural choice for eco-friendly dye projects. In addition, calendula can be added to the food of ornamental koi and other vibrantly colored fish to brighten their scales.
Herbs as beauty boosters
5. Revitalize hair
Natural shampoos with antifungal ingredients like sage, rosemary and thyme may combat the flaking and scaling of dandruff. Yardley notes that herbal rinses can also promote healthier, more lustrous locks.
“Nettle, rosemary and horsetail prepared as a tea and then used as a hair rinse are really good for strengthening the hair and making it shinier,” she says.
6. Soothe acne
To balance oily or acne-prone skin, Yardley recommends the following herb-infused facial steam.
- Add fresh or dried herbs like lavender or rosemary to a bowl of boiling water.
- Cover the bowl and allow herbs to steep for a few minutes.
- Put your face under a towel, lean over the bowl and allow the steam to seep into your pores.
- Finish by applying cold water to the skin to close pores.
7. Perfume skin
Aromatic marjoram leaves can be rubbed against wrists to perfume skin with a sweet, slightly floral scent. A sprinkle of marjoram leaves can also be a relaxing addition to bath water.