Apothecary Arts

Posted by Kenza for Kathleen (technical difficulties)

The first project for grades 3,4,5, and 6 in this session, is the making of "Dream Pillows".

There are many ways to enjoy the benefits of the herbal kingdom, and dream pillows are one way.

"To sleep: perchance to dream".....as quoted from W. Shakespeare in Hamlet.

I chose a blend called 'Holiday Dreams'.

The children began by gathering the herbs they could find in our garden for the blend, and I found the remainder elsewhere.

Nature is entering the dormant time of year and most herbs have been harvested.

They asked if we could make the pouches that will contain the blend, out of wool...

So I cut out plastic templates to wrap the wool roving around. The children wet-felted lovely little bags.

They cleaned, separated, and crushed the herbs and mixed them all together.

After filling small muslin bags with the blend, they placed them in the wool pouches and stitched up the opening.

The herbs used are ; Mugwort, Rose petals, Catnip, Pine needles, Cedar needles, Sassafras, dried Orange and Lemon peels,

Lemongrass, Rosemary, Frankincense, Myrrh, Cloves and Cinnamon.

This fragrance evokes memories of an old time Christmas, the outdoors, the holidays, the warmth of family and friends,

and has lots of color and fantasy in it, with ancient aromas to round out the blend, for dreams of the Wonders of the Season.

When we resume classes in 2019, the children will begin the process of making a Herbal Salve. Happy Dreams!