How to Make Herbal Potpourri

Herbal potpourri serves as a natural air freshener. It is generally made up of aromatic herbs, dried flowers and various other ingredients to create new, blended fragrances. Although potpourri can be purchased in retail stores, it is just as simple to make at home once you understand a few basic tips. You can even design your own “signature scents” to use personally or to give as gifts to others. For this article we will use several easy-to-obtain items to create three different potpourri blends. Select three baskets or containers to display them in when you are finished.

Things You'll Need

• 3 Medium-sized mixing bowls
• 3 Spoons
• Sandalwood chips or shavings (about 6 oz.)
• Dried lavender flowers (1 oz.)
• Dried rosebuds and leaves (2 oz.)
• Lavender essential oil
• Sandalwood essential oil
• Rose essential oil
• Fresh pine needles (broken into 1-inch pieces)
• 3 or 4 Small pine cones
• Cedar wood chips (about 3 oz.)
• 6 to 8 Acorns (preferably with caps)
• Scented pipe tobacco (optional, but recommended—your choice of scent)
• Pine essential oil
• Cedar essential oil
• Dried lemon leaves
• Dried apple, orange, and lemon slices
• Dried cloves
• Cinnamon sticks (broken into smaller pieces)
• Dried vanilla bean pods, cut into smaller pieces
• Cinnamon essential oil
• Orange essential oil
• Lemon essential oil

Instructions

1. Divide the sandalwood chips into three equal portions and place some (about 2 oz. in each bowl) in each of the three mixing bowls. Place the lavender flowers, the dried rosebuds and the leaves into the first bowl. Use the first spoon to mix them with the sandalwood chips.

2. Add five drops each of lavender, sandalwood and rose essential oils to the bowl and stir well. Place this Rose-Lavender-Sandalwood potpourri in your bedroom or anywhere else you like to relax.

3. Place the pine needles into the second bowl with the sandalwood chips. Add the cedar wood, the pine cones, the acorns and the tobacco (Dutch Masters brand cherry vanilla works well) into the bowl and stir with the second spoon to combine.

4. Place 10 drops of pine essential oil and 10 drops of cedar oil into the bowl. Blend well. This is a more “woodsy” scent that works well in locker rooms, offices (at work or home), the family den, etc. Many men like this Forest Blend Potpourri because it isn’t too “flowery.”

5. Add the dried apple, dried orange, dried lemon slices and leaves to the sandalwood chips lying in the third bowl. Place the cloves, cinnamon sticks and vanilla on top. Sprinkle with five drops each of the cinnamon, orange and lemon essential oils and stir with the third spoon to combine.

6. Place this Spicy Citrus Potpourri in your kitchen or living room for a continuous fresh scent. It works especially well when used right after performing your regular housework.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have any potpourri left over that may not fit into the display bowl or basket, simply use a plastic storage bag to keep the remainder in. Label and store for use later.

• When the potpourri begins to lose its fragrance (after a couple of weeks), simply add more oil according to the instructions and stir it in well to refresh it.

• Place a small amount of potpourri into small net bags and tie them closed. Put a bag in your clothes drawer or closets to keep them smelling great. Keep one in your car after the “new car smell” has disappeared. Hint: The Forest Blend is a great choice for your car.

Resources

• Find more potpourri ingredients here!