{How to Harvest and Dry Flowers & Herbs From Your Garden}
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Suggested Flowers & Herbs to Harvest and Dry
These are a few of my favorite garden flowers and herbs that I like to dry and keep on hand for various projects.
Calendula – These sunny flowers are loaded with powerful skin-healing, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, yet are gentle enough for most people and animals to use safely. You can make all sorts of things with calendula, including soap, salve and lotion bars.
Chamomile – The flowers are anti-inflammatory and antibacterial; they’re extra nice to include in preparations for sensitive skin. Some recipes on my site that incorporate chamomile include these these shampoo bars, sensitive skin lotion and soothing lip balm.
Cornflower (Bachelor Butter) – These flowers are pretty when dried and added to bath soaks and teas for their mild anti-inflammatory properties.
Dandelion – The flowers are especially treasured for their mild analgesic (pain-relieving) properties, making them an excellent addition to products designed for sore muscles or other external aches and pains. They’re also traditionally used in preparations to heal rough chapped skin. For some project ideas, read 12 Things to Make With Dandelions.
Elder Flower – The flowers are an old-fashioned remedy for clearer skin, promote wound healing and may be helpful for eczema and dry skin. I hope to add more elder flower recipes to the site soon, but until then you may enjoy this lotion recipe that includes elder flowers or this elder leaf salve.
Hollyhock – These pretty old-fashioned flowers are related to the marshmallow herb and in some cases can be used as a substitute in a pinch. For a few ideas for using them, check out these five uses for hollyhocks.
Lavender – This sweetly scented plant is anti-inflammatory, soothes skin and eases stress. For project ideas and recipes, you may enjoy reading these 1o things to make with lavender.
Lemon Balm – This prolific plant is a mild stress reliever with notable antiviral properties. More information on utilizing lemon balm can be found by reading 12 things to make with lemon balm.
Mint – The leaves of this plant are cooling and pain relieving. Mint is also great for stomach aches, nausea and headaches. If you’re looking for ways to use mint, you may enjoy this cucumber mint bath soak or these other mint ideas.
Plantain – Plantain is a common leafy green weed found all over the world. It’s specific for treating skin problems such as acne or eczema. It’s also antiseptic and astringent and is the ultimate plant to grab for first aid in the field. Learn more by reading these 10 things to make with plantain.
Rose – Besides being enjoyable to look at and smell, their cooling, soothing, anti-inflammatory and mild astringent properties make them ideal ingredients in many body care products and herbal remedies. For ideas on using these lovely flowers, check out 10 things to make with roses.
Sunflowers – These cheerful blooms have skin-soothing properties. Like cornflowers, they make a pretty addition to bath soaks and teas. If you love sunflowers, you may also enjoy this sunflower soap recipe.
Violet Flower & Leaf – Violets are not only lovely to look at, but are cooling and healing. They’re especially useful for soothing irritations and eczema when used on your skin. For some project ideas and inspiration, read 10 Things to Make With Violets.
