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Not only are herbs used for seasoning in food items, they are also used for medicinal purposes. They are also great for providing wonderful smells in your garden or home and for aromatherapy. The oils contained in the leaves of many of the aromatic herbs used for cooking are what makes them so useful. The oil is also what gives the herbs a pleasurable scent. Even if you wouldn’t eat an herb, they make a delight for the senses.

When we think of these types of herbs, Lavender comes to mind. Native to the Mediterranean region, its tiny purple blossoms are lovely to behold and just as enjoyable to smell. Perfect for perfumed sachets, it also works splendidly scattered around the edges of a garden where it will also lure Black Swallowtail butterflies!

Sage produces an amazing aroma when the leaves of the plant are rubbed between the thumb and forefinger. The senses will be delighted by its dynamic fragrance. Sage is a member of the mint family and originated in Asia Minor. Fortunately, it can be grown all over the world making it a perfect addition to any herb garden.

Another wonderful addition to the garden would be caraway-scented thyme. The spicy fragrance is a favorite among herbalists, and this eye-catching bush will also attract butterflies and bees. Early summer will bring pink blossoms from this herb, which is in the mint family.

Another one of the aromatic herbs that belongs to the mint family and has been around for hundreds of years is Sweet Marjoram. Often used in perfumed soaps, Sweet Marjoram has a spicy aroma and is great when used as part of the potpourri after being milled. Don’t mix it up with its cousin Origanum Vulgare, also known as Oregano, that is found in the wild.

Preserving herbs for their aroma is an easy task. One way to preserve for a short term is to put fresh stems in a jar of very cold water and store in your refrigerator. This should preserve the herbs for about a week. A longer way of preserving the herbs is to store them in a jar of oil. This should preserve the herbs for two to three months.

Freezing is an option when you wish to store them for longer periods of time. Wash them, then dry them. Then, you should put them in a plastic bag that is safe for freezer storage, or you can chop them into smaller pieces and put them into an ice cube tray. Kept away from air, they should last for at least four months. To keep them fresh for up to a year, however, wash and dry, and then place them in a jar of vinegar.

Herbs must be dried to be used in potpourri. Oils in the herbs are what provide the aromatherapy benefits. So when you hang your herbs in a cool, dry place to dry; do not leave the plants exposed to air for extended periods. This will cause all of the precious oils to evaporate and lose their fragrance.

If you want to preserve your hand-made herbal potpourris and sachet bags longer, you will need to use tried and true preservation methods. To keep the essential oils inside an herb plant, store it in an airtight bag.

Of the aromatic herbs, marjoram, thyme, mint and sage all keep their aroma very well when they are dried. When done correctly, they will give off a pleasant scent for weeks.