Spring Annual Herbs

Growing spring annual herbs starts with keeping seeds in individual pots indoors, starting the seeds six weeks before the last snow. When mature enough, thin the seedlings down to four or five a pot. Larger plants may be thinned down to one a pot. The surface must remain moist at all times by spraying mist on it.

Annual spring herbs include: basil, borage, chamomile, calendula, arugula, dill, garlic, coriander, cayenne and savory. Some of these herbs make the best skin and beauty care ingredients you can use. Below are some easy-to-follow beauty recipes you can make using fresh spring annual herbs.

Borage Toner

To make borage toner you will need:

• Borage flower, leaves and sprigs
• Apple cider or white vinegar
• Distilled water
• A clean container
• Cheesecloth

In a glass vessel, pour in the vinegar and add the borage sprigs, flowers and leaves. Make sure that the herbs are completely submerged. Cover this and store in a cool, dry place for about 2 weeks. Occasionally, you would need to shake this mixture. After 2 weeks, strain the mixture with cheesecloth. Add another 1 tbsp vinegar and a cup of distilled water. Then transfer it in another clean container or a mister.

The borage toner contains minerals that help sooth skin. It has a cooling, cleansing effect.

Calendula Oil

To make calendula oil you will need:

• Calendula flowers
• Paper towels
• Cold pressed olive oil
• A clean container

In a paper towel, set your calendula flowers and let it stay there for about thirty minutes. This ensures that any other moisture from the flower is completely removed. After that, you can put it in the container and cover it with oil. Cap the container and keep this in a warm place for one week. After a week, strain the plant material from the container and transfer the oil and essence into a new container.

This mixture will make wonderful massage oil that provides soothing powers.

Chamomile Tea

To make chamomile tea you will need:

• Fresh chamomile leaves and flowers
• Distilled water

In a saucepan, place a cup of the annual spring herbs and add two cups of the distilled water. Cover and let it simmer for 20 minutes. When cooled down, strain the mixture and then drink your tea or use it as a hair rinse.

The tea brings a refreshing and relaxing feeling and smells like fresh apple. As with many spring annual herbs, the chamomile also known to have anti-inflammatory properties.

Return from Spring Annual Herbs to Herb Articles

---