Re: how do you make it?

Posted by Eliz. on January 16, 2000 at 17:37:33:

In Reply to: Re: how do you make it? posted by P.J. on January 15, 2000 at 17:55:43:

Thanks for the instructions!!!
:Normally, I make herbal infusions,
: which is just a fancy-schmancy name for a tea.

Yup - done that. When I do brew a tea for henna, I tend to toss in
random nice-smelling herbs. Most herbs just make the liquid darker &
thicker (the thicker texture is nice for some styles of henna
application), but don't change the end result. (Hmmm...haven't tried
file' powder - that thickens a liquid nicely - sort of like
fenugreek/menthi or okra.)

Herbs in alcohol (tinctures), too (don't cook these). The alcohol can
leech out the essential oils and preserve them, so when you add it to
cooking or use it as scent, the alcohol evaporates and some of the
essential oils remain. Probably not good for henna, as it would tend
to cool the skin when the alcohol evaporates.

: These are the basic steps to making infused or MACERATED herbal oils
Macerated meaning "chewed"?
I haven't yet tried the heated-oil technique. Have made flavored oils
(and vinegars and wines) for cooking. I'd think the heating would
make the more volatile oils evaporate.

: 3.) Strain the oil with a fine strainer, or if you have powdered
the
: herb, let it strain through a coffee filter.
Hmmm...I finally bought a re-usable coffee filter (looks like paper
with a plastic rim, very very finely woven). Bet that would work
nicely.

: I grow my own mint, or rather, it grows itself.

That's an understatement. I think I've eradicated the mint and catnip
(a variety of mint - makes vile tea, though), but if I ever try it
again, I'll use strawberry pots to keep it contained! I rather like
sage, too. Anyway, I have included mint in my henna brews - works
fine. I don't usually put oil in the paste because I think it retards
absorbtion into the skin (unconfirmed). Mint oil might make a
nice-smelling after-care product, though! I've certainly got enough
still-green baggies of dried mint from the summer, though - will let
you know what happens when I try it. (It may be a while before I'm
home enough to tend it.)

Follow-ups:

• Re: how do you make it? P.J. 23:47:58 1/16/00 (1)
  • not rubbing alc - vodka Eliz. 02:45:25 1/21/00 (0)