Jan Berry - The big book of homemade products for your skin, health & home: easy, all-natural DIY projects using herbs, flowers & other plants

FOUNDER of THE BLOG THE NERDY FARM WIFE

The author and publisher have provided this e-book to you for your personal use only. You may not make this e-book publicly available in any way. Copyright infringement is against the law. If you believe the copy of this e-book you are reading infringes on the authors copyright, please notify the publisher at: http://us.macmillanusa.com/piracy.

To my husband and children, who are my best friends and biggest fans. Thank you for always cheering me on and being patient while The Book consumed our lives for a season. Now that its done, I promise more lazy creek days and homemade ice cream, and less computer time and baked chicken (again?!) for supper.

When I wrote the first edition of this book, it was focused on showcasing creative and practical ways to use common flowers and herbs that grow right around us. Teaching others how to put to good use an unruly lemon balm patch or an out-of-control mint plant is a personal passion that has only grown in the ensuing years since that first book was born.

In this freshly updated and expanded version, youll find those same favorite projects, plus even more herbs and flowers to explore, additional formulas to help you create your own recipes from scratch, as well as 50 new recipes to inspire your imagination.

Youll learn how to grab a rose from your garden, a handful of dandelions from your backyard or a bunch of herbs from the local farmers market and make something beautiful, useful and good for you, your family and your home. Most of the projects make delightful gifts for loved ones too!

While the recipes in the book are heavily centered around flowers and herbs, dont let that be a hindrance if you dont have easy access to plants. Infused oils can be swapped out for plain oils, and most of the flowers and herbs can be interchanged or even omitted in some cases. For more about this, see the .

Because I live on a tight budget and Internet shipping costs a small fortune, its important to me to use as many locally sourced ingredients as I can. When you live in rural America like I do, the store options are slim, but Im still able to find most of my ingredients within a 30-mile (48-km) radius. For the things that have to be ordered online, Ive listed some of my favorite vendors in the in the back of this book.

Youll find that the recipes and instructions are pretty straightforward, but if you run into any question or problem, please contact me at thenerdyfarmwife.com and Ill be happy to help.

Now if youre ready to make some fun stuff with me, turn the Page and lets get started!

Our gardens and backyards are filled with flowers, herbs and weeds that have the potential to provide many fun and useful products for home, health and beauty. If you can safely eat a plant, theres a good chance that it can be used in other interesting ways as well.

Although Ive listed details about the ones specifically used to make the projects in this book, this isnt an all-inclusive list of plants with benefits. Explore the Internet, your library and local bookstore to find articles and books about herbs and edible flowers that grow in your area. Some common plants, such as roses and basil, are easily recognizable, but always be certain in the identification of what youre harvesting before use.

Arnica (Arnica montana) is an anti-inflammatory herb thats excellent for treating bruising, sore muscles, arthritis and pulled muscles. Dont use on open wounds.

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial and tick-repelling properties. Taken orally, it has an analgesic (pain relieving) effect on chronic pain conditions and makes a good expectorant in cough syrups. Basil opens up the sinuses, helps headaches, can be used in baths for stress or pain, as a toner for acne, rubbed on bug bites, incorporated in a salve for joint aches and has even been shown in one study to be effective in an antiaging cream. In short, basil is not just for pesto!

Bee Balm (Monarda fistulosa) leaves and flowers can be infused in oil and used to treat wounds and achy muscles. Theyre also antibacterial and helpful for sore throats and colds.

Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is a well-loved and often used flower thats included in many skin-care recipes. Its a classic addition to diaper creams for babies, due to its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and skin-healing properties. It may help conditions such as eczema, is a lymphatic (helps relieve congested lymph nodes), is good for sore throats and swollen tonsils, helps skin regenerate and is used in formulations to reduce the swelling and appearance of varicose veins. The tea can be used as an antiseptic wound wash. It should not be used internally by pregnant women.