Man in the Moon Herbs

This recipe is just the right size when you only want a pot of lip balm and not a vat! The formula is soothing, protecting and just the thing for chapped lips. Lip Balm 1 teaspoon of beeswax 1 teaspoon apricot kernel oil 1 teaspoon flax or hemp oil 3-4 drops of lavender, lemon or orange essential oil- optional 1 Vitamin E capsule Melt the beeswax in a small bowl over boiling water. Add the apricot and hemp or flax oil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and continue to stir until the mixture cools and starts to become opaque. Prick the Vitamin E capsule with a pin and squeeze into the lip balm. Quickly add the essential oil and mix well. Store in a small pot or tin. If you spend a lot of time in the sun avoid using the citrus essential oils as they can make your lips more sensitive to the sun.

I thought this post from a c ouple of years ago was worth repeating as it's May 1st, the perfect time to start thinking about making your own batch of May wine! The poet Gerard wrote wh en the delicate sweet woodruff is added to a cup of wine it will "make a man merry" Galium odoratum , or sweet woodruff is a hardy perennial plant that prefers semi shade and moist, porous loam. Provided these conditions, it will happily grow and spread to m ake a pretty spring ground cover. When dr ied it has a delicate hay-like scent that isn't present when it is fresh. To make an "exhilarating drink to lift the spirits and create a carefree atmosphere" do the following- May Wine dry a small handful of sweet woodruff in a warm dry place for 3-4 hours place the dried leaves in a glass pitcher and add the juice of one lemon and half a bottle of good Rhine wine let set in a warm place for 3-4 hours add 4-6 tablespoons of sugar and the other half bottle of Rhine win