sachets

Sweater Sachet #1 ----- Orange Spice

Approximately 5 cups dried southernwood (this is best,
although another artemisia or even santolina will work)

1/2 cup dried orange peel

1 cup whole cloves

1/2 cup granular (not powdered) orris root

20+ drops essential oil of orange

Add the orange oil to the orris root (which acts as a "fixative"
for the scent).  Use more or less as desired.  Mix with all
other ingredients.

Put 1/2 cup of mix into center of a 10 x10 inch square of
fabric (I cut the squares with pinking shears).  Tie up
squares with ribbon.

Feel free to adjust ingredients to suit you--if you want more
of a spice scent than an orange scent, for example, use
more cloves and less orange oil.

Sweater Sachet #2 -----  Cedar and Lavendar

This is the more improvised one.  Just mix about equal
amounts of shaved cedarwood (get it at your local pet
store--the pet bedding stuff) and lavender petals or leaves.
The cedar can act as a fixative, so add some drops of
lavender oil to the cedarwood if you like.  Again, adjust to
suit your nose, but aim for a balanced scent, not too strong
on either side.  GO SLOW ON THE LAVENDER OIL--a few
drops at a time.  Blend the mix and keep sniffing until you
get the scent the way you like it.

Again, put 1/2 cups of the mix into 10 x 10 squares and tie
up.Some caveats:  These sachets have ingredients reputed to
repel moths, but I wouldn't guarantee it. Supplement use of
the sachets with proper storage of woolens.  ALSO,
particularly if you do use any of the artemisias, KEEP
THESE SACHETS OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN
AND PETS.  Even "all natural" ingredients can be harmful.

SOURCES for dried orange peel, lavendar flowers, essential
oils, and granular orris root:  Well Sweep Herb Farm, 317
Mount Bethel Road, Port Murray, New Jersey, USA, 07865,
phone (908) 852-5390.  Canadians (as well as Americans)
might try Richter's Herbs at 905-940-6677 or
orderdesk@richters.com    By the way, Richter's has dried
wormwood for sale.  (I have no affiliation with either
company)

Those who don't grow wormwood or southernwood might
consider adding it to your garden.  The plants are hardy and
quite lovely, and the southernwood in particular has a
pleasing smell.
Other herbs reputed to have moth-repellent properties:
camphor basil, eucalyptus, pennyroyal, tansy, rosemary,
santolina, thyme, peppermint, and bay.  Try making your
own blends!
Lisa Dittrich
lrdittrich@aamc.org

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