Fun Herbology Projects

Medicinal Herb Spiral

• A medicinal herb spiral is a mini-herb garden that rises in a spiral about 3 feet off the ground. The spiral lets you plant a variety of your favorite herbs in a compact space. Experiment with different colors and fragrances. Herbs that need the most direct sunlight can grace the north side of the spiral, while those that need more moisture and a little shade can fill out the south side.

  To make a medicinal herb spiral, select a sunny location with fertile, well-drained soil. Scrape and shovel the soil into a mound that's about 5 feet wide at the base and about 3 feet high. Mark your spiral path around the mound with garden rocks, allowing at least 12 inches between each level as you wend your way up from the bottom. Plant your medicinal herbs in the spaces between the rock markers.

Soothing Herbal "Boo-Boo" Oil

• Herbologist Lesley Bremness offers recipes for soothing herbal massage oils in her book, "The Complete Book of Herbs." A dandelion massage oil project can introduce children to herbology by combining the healing properties of dandelions with the calming attributes of an olive oil massage. Get the youngsters involved by collecting a bucket of fresh dandelion heads. Collect enough to fill a small plastic beach pail. Let the flower heads stand uncovered overnight. The next morning, pick off all the stems and fill pint-sized canning jars with the bright yellow blossoms. Cover the flowers with olive oil and splash a tablespoon of vodka on top to discourage mold formation, and let the concoction stand on a sunny windowsill for two weeks. Discard the flower heads and drain the mixture into a clean bottle.

  Keep the oil in a friendly-looking jar identified by hand-painted dandelions and a cheerful sun. Have the youngsters label the jar "boo-boo rub."

Herbal Wall Wreath

• Have the herbs you use most often at your fingertips, day or night, with an herbal wall wreath. Sage, comfrey, lavender, chamomile and other medicinal herbs will dry naturally on a round wire frame. These green wreaths add refreshing fragrance to any room, and look lovely accented with a length of colorful ribbon to match your room décor.

  Most craft shops and garden centers offer wire wreath frames in a variety of shapes and sizes. Clip your fresh herbs with stems attached, then wrap a small length of green florist's wire around the stem, leaving an inch of excess wire at the end. Wrap the excess wire around the frame to secure the herb. Continue adding herbs until the wreath is full.

Herbal Tea Assortment

• Gather, dry and label the ingredients for a variety of herbal teas. If you're growing an herb spiral, this is a great opportunity to make good use of your harvest. Garden centers and herb shops also sell medicinal herbs. If you're short on planting space, many tea herbs grow well in pots on a sunny windowsill.

  Keep plenty on hand, along with assorted fancy little jars, for gift-giving on birthdays and holidays. You can choose some simple, good-tasting and soothing teas such as lemon balm, chamomile and peppermint. Attach a tea-leaf strainer and some cinnamon sticks to the bottle with a ribbon, and include preparation guidance for the tea recipient.

Homemade Herbal Fragrance

• Herbal fragrances are more lightly scented than traditional perfumes and colognes. Using distilled water, vodka and your favorite herbs, you can add a relaxing scent to your bubble bath, refreshing fragrance to your baths and pool areas, or perk up your busiest family rooms with an evocative splash. Herbal fragrances that are decanted into pretty bottles make inexpensive holiday gifts and party favors.

  Use about 3 cups of distilled water and 1/4 oz. of vodka for each ounce of dried herbs. Keep the mixture in a dry, dark spot--such as the back of a cupboard--for at least a week. This allows the fragrance to thoroughly blend. You can decant the finished liquid into bottles with the herbs intact, or strain them if you prefer a clear liquid.