Create Your Own Potpourri and Bath Salts Workshop.
Potpourri and bathing salts have been around for centuries. In 17th century France, potpourri or “rotten pot” was created by gathering fragrant flowers and herbs, letting them dry, and then layering them with salt. As the summer progressed, they would begin to rot and mold. In the fall, spices, and citrus peels would be added to the mix and left to develop a lovely bouquet of fragrance. Orris root, a natural fixative made from iris roots, would then be mixed in to preserve the scent. It’s violet smell added to the fragrance of the potpourri. Special perforated dishes filled with the mixture were set in living areas to mask the smells of poor sanitation.
Thalassotherapy, or bathing in warm seawater for therapeutic benefits, dates back to 1757 and the Benedictine monks . Balneotherapy, or bathing in mineral water, is a similar practice. While the efficacy of these bath treatments are not proven, both methods are still widely used. Still, there is nothing more soothing than a hot, scented bath. Bathing salts are easy to make requiring only salt and various fragrant herbs or flowers. Himalayan, Mediterranean, Noirmoutier, and Dead Sea salt are all great choices as they contain a variety of minerals considered to be beneficial to the body. Dendritic, or purified table salt, and Epsom salts, a natural compound of magnesium and sulfate, are also great choices. A word of caution about using bathing salts. Check with your doctor if you have various health conditions including diabetes, kidney or liver disease, are pregnant, or suffering from high blood pressure.
Join Bedford Extension Master Gardeners and Bedford Public Libraries for GARDENING FOR SCENTS, A Create Your Own Potpourri and Bath Salts Workshop. While this workshop is FREE, space is limited so you must pre-register at your preferred library location.
Oct2019 Press release by Sue Becker, Bedford Extension Master Gardener and BAMGA President
*Stewartsville Library: Saturday, October 26th, 11:00 AM
*Big Island Library: Tuesday, October 29th, 2:00 PM
*Moneta/SML Library: Saturday, November 2nd, 11:00 AM
*Forest Library: Saturday, November 9th, 11:00 AM
*Montvale Library: Saturday, November 16th, 10:30 AM
*Bedford-Main (540) 586-8911, Saturday, November 23rd, 11:00am
If you are a person with disability and require any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this event, contact Scott Baker, VCE Bedford, at 540.586.7675 (TDD # 800.828.1120) during business hours (8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.) at least 5 days prior to this event.
