The moths would stay in the jungle

Buy a small drawstring bag or use one that costume jewellery often comes in.  Fill it with dried herbs such as bay, rosemary and thyme.  Perhaps some cloves and lavender.  Place in your wardrobe or drawers.  This may stop your clothes being attractive to moths.

Valerian

Valerian was often used to treat shellshock in the First World War.

It is one of the most powerful herbal remedies for a stressed nervous system.  It is thought to relieve anxiety  I believe medical herbalists use it for the treatment of severe insomnia and for reducing high blood pressure.  Valerian has a tranquillising effect and is mildly narcotic.  It can be drank as an infusion.  Using a concoction in the bath may ease skin rashes.

Valerian is a very powerful herb and must not be used to excess or with sedatives.

Root valerian can be placed in a rat trap to attract vermin.  Cats are attracted to valerian.

It's name comes from the Latin valere which means "to be well."  The Greek physician Galen named it "phu".  Quite appropriate as it doesn't smell very nice!

The plant isn't used for culinary purposes but it's believed over 400 years ago people in Northern England made soup from it.  It's best planted in moist soil in full sunshine or partial shade.

What to Wear in The British Isles

Easter in the UK is usually a complete washout.  In 2019 Easter was the warmest on record.  In the sunshine it was warm enough to wear a t-shirt and shorts, but in the shade???  Would you, could you brave that cool wind on bare legs?  I couldn't.  It seems that as soon as the sun shines, it's "summer" no matter the temperature is less than 18C.  My phone is currently telling me it's 7C but outside in the street, people are happily going about their days without a coat.  The sun isn't out today.

I am not keen to swim outdoors unless the temperature reaches 28/29C.  Lots of Brits feel differently and dive right in.

A WARM WINTER DRINK

Suggested ingredients:

1 orange
Several cloves
A splash of port
A cinammon stick
A teaspoon of allspice
3 teaspoons of sugar
25ml of rum
25ml of brandy

Stick cloves into an orange.  Cook it in the oven for 15 minutes, on a tray, at 180C.
Cut it in quarters and put in a saucepan with port, cinammon, allspice, sugar, rum and brandy.  Don't bring to the boil if you want to retain the alcohol.  Serve warm in a pretty mug.

Steam inhalation

Suffering from a cold, sore throat, runny nose?  What about trying steam inhalation for some relief?

The steam will help to open the nasal passages.  You will need a large heatproof bowl such as Pyrex, boiling water, a towel, essential oils or a handful of fresh herbs.

If using fresh herbs, crush them and add a pint of boiling water.  Cover your head and the bowl with a large towel and inhale the steam.  Do this for 5 minutes twice a day.  Why not try thyme?

If using oils, add three or four drops of the oil with a pint of boiling water.  Inhale in the same way as the herbs, but probably a minute will be long enough.

You could try:-
Eucalyptus
Lavender
Frankincense
Tea Tree

Obviously, seek medical advice if symptoms persist.

ROSEMARY AND SAGE HAIR RINSE

This is particularly good for dark hair, giving it a healthy glow.  There are anti-bacterial properties in rosemary which might help keep a dandruff free healthy scalp.   Sage should make the hair nice and shiny.

It will keep for about a week in the fridge.  Make the day before you need it, to let it infuse.

2 oz approx. of fresh rosemary
2 oz approx. of fresh sage leaves
1 pint of boiling water

Using a pair of kitchen scissors, snip the rosemary sprigs into a pyrex bowl.  Add the sage leaves and pour the boiling water on them.  Leave to infuse for 3 hours but preferably overnight.  Strain the mixture, using a plastic sieve, into a jug and then pour into a storage bottle (perhaps an old vinegar bottle).

After shampooing and rinsing your hair, tip some of the herb rinse over your hair and leave for half an hour.  Then rinse it off and dry your hair.

Home Made Mint and Rosemary Cologne

Eau de cologne is easy to make from a blend of your favourite aromatic oils with water and alcohol.

They make a perfect gift for friends, male or female.

Get together the following:-

15ml of any fresh mint (1 tablespoonful)
15ml of rosemary leaves (1 tablespoonful)
1 lemon
1 orange
50ml (2fl oz) of vodka - a cheap one to use as an alcohol base
115ml (4fl oz) rosewater

You will also need:-

A plastic sieve
Small saucepan
A bowl
A jug and storage containers

Wash the rosemary and mint leaves then dry them.  Place in a bowl.  Heat the vodka in a pan and pour over the herbs.  Wash the lemon and orange.  Grate the peel onto the herbs.  Warm the rosewater in a pan and add to the mix.  Cover it and keep in the fridge for a week.  Remember to stir it every day.  At the end of the week, strain the mixture through a plastic sieve into a perfume bottle and seal.  It should keep for two weeks in the fridge, and can be used in the bath, or as a splash on.

Do you know what your birthstone is?

Mine is ruby.
Do you have a piece of jewellery with your birthstone in?
January is garnet.  Colour: purple/red mixture.  Associated with constancy.
February is amethyst.  Colour: purple.  Associated with sincerity.
March is bloodstone.  Colour:  green with red flecks.  Associated with courage.
April is diamond.  Colour: glasslike.  Associated with lasting love and innocence.
May is emerald.  Colour: green.  Associated with hope and success.
June is pearl.  Colour: pearly white.  Associated with health and purity.
July is ruby.  Colour: red.  Associated with love and contentment.
August is agate.  Colour: pale green.  Associated with marital happiness.
September is sapphire.  Colour: blue.  Associated with wisdom.
October is opal.  Colour: white with coloured flecks.  Associated with hope.
November is topaz.  Colour: yellow or brown.  Associated with fidelity.
December is turquoise.  Colour: greeny blue.  Associated with harmony.