Magic for Modern Life: An All-Natural Antidote to Negative Vibes at Home
If your home is feeling a bit stale, here’s a way to freshen it up and move forward with positive intentions. Burning herbs and flowers is a customizable twist on the incense you might remember from college. Choose your favorite blend of organic materials—based on their individual scents and properties—and create your own unique aromatherapy.
The best part is that these also make great sachets, if you prefer not to burn them, and the pleasant aromas act as aromatherapy whether or not they are burned.
What You Need
- Thyme (relaxing and uplifting)
- Oregano (the word originates in Greece, where oros and ganos combine to mean “mountain happiness”)
- Rose (peacefulness, calm)
- Rosemary (refreshing fragrance, clarity, enhance alertness)
- Lavender (calming, relaxing)
- Natural cotton or hemp string
Instructions
1. Put together a small bunch of your desired herbs, much like you would arrange flowers. Then simply wrap them tightly with natural string. It’s important to wrap them a little bit more snugly than you might expect because they will shrink down a bit after they have dried.
2. Hang them in a warm, dry environment until they have dehydrated enough to burn. Or, if you don’t want to wait, you can speed up the process by placing them in a dehydrator. I have an old gas burning stove, so I simply placed them in the oven while it was off and they were dried out within 24 hours.
3. Once you’re ready, simply light one end with a match or lighter like you would a stick of incense. Only light in a well-ventilated area, holding it away from any flammable objects like curtains or loose clothing. If you put it down, make sure it is contained in a heat safe container made of glass or ceramic, away from the edge of a table or near flammable objects. Do not leave burning objects unattended or near small children. Douse with water in the sink after you are done to make sure the fire is out.
Tip: Please be aware that while these plants are safe for burning, each individual has different sensitivities and allergies to plants, herbs, and flowers. Consult with your healthcare practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or on any medications.
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