Jane Wilks - Pomanders - Life | Health - Coast FM - Timeless Music by Timeless Artists

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Jane Wilks - Pomanders

Friday, September 14, 2012 3:17 PM

Pomanders used to be hung in all Elizabethan homes to sweeten the air and act as an antiseptic. They can be simply made by studding oranges with whole dried cloves and letting them dry. They have a lovely spicy fragrance that can last for years. They are not only effective hung in linen cupboards and wardrobes but can provide a beautifully scented table decoration in bowls when grouped together. You can also put them in drawers as a moth repellent.

   1 orange
   1 cup whole dried cloves
    ribbon to decorate (optional)
   cinnamon powder
   orris root powder
    few drops of Patchouli or Vetiver oil (optional)

Method:
If you are going to hang the pomander, divide the surface of the orange into four equal parts using masking tape. Pierce the exposed skin with close holes with a thin knitting needle, skewer or a narrow- pronged fork. Stick cloves into the holes over the entire surface. Roll the clove-studded orange in the equal parts of cinnamon and Orris root powder.   Place in a brown paper bag and store in a dark dry place for 4- 6 weeks. After the orange has dried, remove it from the bag and shake off any excess spice mixture. Carefully remove the tape and decorate with ribbon.

Note: if you are creating a decorative table piece in a bowl, you can try experimenting with other fruit such as limes and lemons. When the fruit is dried you can add beads or sequins as an extra embellishment if you wish.

Tip - as Orris root powder is sometimes hard to procure, you can substitute it with a few drops of base scented essential oil such as Patchouli. This can act as a fixative.