A garden is not just an area that looks visually pretty, it is also a magical area where we can go to escape the day’s stresses, it's a place to rest, meditate, renew, pray and heal.  

     Even if we do not have large lush areas to plant in, we can still enjoy a moderate harvest and enjoy digging in the dirt with container gardening.  Herbs especially are wonderful, they are easy to grow, they grow quickly and can be used for cooking, sipping teas, tinctures, healthy oils, beauty treatments and tasty herbal vinegars.

     Now is the time to plan for all of the things that we will use our herbal harvest for.  Herbal vinegars are easy to make and always nice to have on hand, but especially during the summer months when salads and fresh vegetables are more sought after and plentiful.  There are a few different methods that one uses to prepare herbal vinegar, depending on who you ask.  My method is quite simple and takes practically no time at all. 

Supplies to have ready:

Clean Dry Jars, Recycle your Glass Jars or use Canning/Mason jars

Assorted Herbs (organic if possible), Fresh or Dried

If using fresh, clean and dry them well, either put through a salad spinner or pat gently with a paper towel to remove extra moisture after washing them.

Assorted Vinegars (organic if available)

Apple Cider, White, Rice, Balsamic, White Wine

Plastic Wrap

Directions:

Line up your clean dry glass jars.

Fill each jar with one or more herbs.

Fill the jar with your vinegar of choice.

If using a metal lid, place a piece of plastic wrap over the opening of the jar, then cap.

Label, date and store in a cupboard or pantry for 4-6 weeks.

At the end of 4-6 weeks, strain the vinegar and discard the herbs.

 You can also use the vinegar for a beautiful natural hair rinse:

Ingredients:

Mix vinegar and water together, shampoo hair, apply vinegar solution, massage in gently, leave on for a bit. Wash hair again with a mild shampoo and lightly condition if you wish. This works very well to rinse out build up and residue, and to control oily hair. You may notice a slight vinegar odor, which dissipates as your hair dries.

     Pennie Mills is a handmade jewelry designer, candle maker, aromatherapy, all natural health & skincare enthusiast, massage therapist, scrapper, easy sewing seamstress and crafter of all things beautiful!  She sells her handmade gemstone jewelry, soy candles and atmosphere sprays on her website,  Ladies Blend design studio and writes about all topics of interest at the Ladies Blend blog.