Grow Your Own Magazine

The more I grow fruit & veg the less I've seemed to care about the 'non-productive' stuff in the garden. But now I'm becoming more interested in using herbs and flowers to make my own cosmetics - creams, soap etc and was wondering if anyone else does this and with what results?

I'm going to try growing loofahs in the greenhouse next year - any advice? I'll also be planting some flowers & herbs specifically for their petals (marigolds, chamomile etc) and thought companion planting may be an option to make things ultra-productive

I'd really welcome advice and experiences to get me going here. I've just bought a really good book on the topic but tried and tested recipes from others would be great (didn't know whether to put this thread in kitchen section or not! )

kitty, maybe we should have a potions and lotions section. i'm making bath salts from my lavender this year for x mas pressies.
lavender flowers, good quality sea salt, mix, put in pretty jars and label.
would love to know how you get on, id love to make soaps and creams but need bees first.
maybee next year

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Yo an' Bob
Walk lightly on the earth
take only what you need
give all you can
and your produce will be bountifull

Hi Bibliobeck
I haven't as yet grown herbs to make the various lotions and potions, but I am researching it at present for my new business next year, as a way of using any unsold herbs that are left or get too big to sell - my business partner seems dead keen on the idea as she is a healer already - so maybe we could share our research and ideas ?

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Rat

British by birth
Scottish by the Grace of God

Blog updated Wednesday November 13th

A section on lotions and potions sounds good to me. How about it ?

It would be very interesting!!

No. Basically because of the medical issues.

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Hi Bibliobeck there are a couple of good books to get you started. The Green Witch by Barbara Griggs ISBN 0712647252, Julia Lawless' Aromatherapy Garden. You could also look at the Aromantic website.

http://www.aromantic.co.uk

They do lots of base products, ingredients, Courses, literature, kits. Among other things I am an aromatherapist and also use some of my own plants etc. to make products. They can make lovely presents and there are ways to get insurance to sell them at fairs, farmers markets etc. There is an increasing demand for natural, hand made good quality products the problem is getting to know the market, marketing, regulations etc.

Even if it is just for presents and yourself it is very rewarding and enjoyable.

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Bright Blessings
Earthbabe
If at first you don't succeed, open a bottle of wine.

Thanks for the replies so far. Earthbabe I'm going to look at the sites & books etc you've recommended. I bought a good book by Janice Cox who also has an interesting website - American, but I suspect most ingredients won't be problematic.
Rat, I'd love to swap ideas and finds. I'm interested in this just for me & maybe the odd present if my family want it. I just think if all this lovely homegrown stuff without the chemicals is good for putting into my bod, it must be good for putting in my bath and on to my skin too!
I'm definitely going to give growing the loofahs a go too - if only so's I can give home grown loofahs with my home made bath salts

LJ, I thought that homeopathic remedies could now be advertised for aiding certain ailments? Surely all GYO would have to do is show a disclaimer absolving them of any responsibility for comments made on the site?

Bibliobeck - I have seen an article on growing loofahs - can't remember which mag or when but will have a look through my old mags for you if you want.

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Rat

British by birth
Scottish by the Grace of God

Blog updated Wednesday November 13th

Doggler you need to be careful. People with certain medical conditions can be affected by herbs and aromatheraphy oils. In some instances it would not be safe.

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Very true LJ. Herbal remedies, beauty products etc are not terribly difficult to make, but the trick is in knowing not only what they treat, but what potential problems they can cause if used by people suffering certain conditions, including pregnancy (if I can call that a condition without coming over as sexist ?)

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Rat

British by birth
Scottish by the Grace of God

Blog updated Wednesday November 13th

You are quite right LJ. While it is not hard to find general information about what can be good for what anyone with a prexisting medical condition, on regular medication or pregnant should initially consult their GP/midwife and then if they are interested in continuing seek out a qualified, insured practitioner. It is also important to consider that older persons or children may not metabolise herbal/plant extracts as well and seek specific advice again from someone who is qualified and insured.

Bath salts, pot pourris, soaps and the like are not normally a problem. For most of us there is probably no major problem treating the odd sore throat, cold, skin rash etc. but it is important to have a good source of information and only use what you are sure you can identify correctly.

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Bright Blessings
Earthbabe
If at first you don't succeed, open a bottle of wine.

Thanks Rat I'd really appreciate the growing advice if you find it - don't want to make the same mistake I made with melons, letting them sprawl all over the greenhouse floor! I've read somewhere recently that the loofahs are edible when young - I'm game to try most things but I can't say I fancy stir fried loofah at all!

If I was growing a loofah..which I have contemplated..I would be very loath to eat it in case another one didn't form and I had nothing for the bath!:eek

Hi Bibliobeck
Checked through my mags this evening but couldn't come up trumps for you - sorry. However, have had a look on google, and if you type "growing a loofah UK" into the search engine, there are loads of sites that come up offering advice.

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Rat

British by birth
Scottish by the Grace of God

Blog updated Wednesday November 13th

mmm shame about the insurance thing, would be good to swap lotion recipes. if i give anything away i just put camomile and lavender as both are "relitivly" safe. and not too strong. i find a big sprig of rosemary in the bath peps me up no end, but i'm not an expert, and a little knowledge can be dangerous.

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Yo an' Bob
Walk lightly on the earth
take only what you need
give all you can
and your produce will be bountifull

Absolutely - I totally understand about the medical side of this. Shame though I would have liked advice from those more experienced than me. Thanks for looking for that rat - I'll be googling and goggling at those sites later. Hopefully I'll be posting pics galore of dried loofahs this time next year

if you find it biblio could you post it, you've started me thinking.

__________________
Yo an' Bob
Walk lightly on the earth
take only what you need
give all you can
and your produce will be bountifull

BB you've got to tell me, how the heck do you GROW loofas? dexterdog

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Appreciate the little things in life because one day you will realise they are the big things

I won't pretend I know much about it being the novice that I am, but loofahs are just a type of gourd. They need to be grown in the greenhouse I believe because they are native to hot countries. I found this while googling...

http://www.floridata.com/ref/L/luff_aeg.cfm

Found a couple of places online selling seeds so I'm definitely going to give it a go next year - think I'll start as early as poss because of the long growing season. I like the fact they grow 'like weeds' - I'm good at that in my garden

If you make your own soap you can attach a slice to the bottom - good for scrubbing gardening hands

I like the sound of that bibliobeck. May well join in with the loofah growing.

Re the soaps etc. you can probably still make stuff for presents, there is a lot of info on the Aromantc site but if you have any specific queries you can PM or e-mail me.

Other books to have a look at (probably in your local library) Patricia Davis: Aromatherapy An A-z and Julia Lawless - The Encyclopaedia of Essential oils. Both should be easily available.

Have fun

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Bright Blessings
Earthbabe
If at first you don't succeed, open a bottle of wine.

Thanks Earthbabe - have PM-ed you with some queries!

Hi Bibliobeck
First of all I hope GYO don't shoot me as a traitor Was in Asda the other day and while the OH was looking for TV Times I thumbed thru a rival mag - there's an article in it about making things