herbal help?

[venatic]

I have a ton of herbs/spices/bodycare raw materials that need to get used up. Sooner rather than later. I use all these components on a regular basis, but 1 pound of peppermint makes a frickin' lot of tea. Any advice?
My limitations: I have no access to an oven or small saucepan. Just a stovetop with a large pot and frying pan, plus my microwave. Does anyone have recipes (edible or for bodycare use) that use the following ingredients, preferably in larger quantities?

dried stuff:

peppermint
hibiscus flowers
elderberries
marshmallow leaf
thyme
cinnamon powder
basil
chicory

bodycare stuff:

mango butter
shea butter
cocoa butter
apricot oil
(the above are rated food-grade, so I could use them in cooking)

fuller's earth
bentonite clay
beeswax
witch hazel

Comments

[traykor]

I've heard good things about home made peppermint extract. You need a glass jar with a tight lid and vodka or everclear. Pack mint tightly into jar, cover with alcohol, sit in sunny spot. Shake twice a day for 3 or 4 days. Strain out the leaves and you have concentrated peppermint.
(I've been meaning to try this because the peppermint perfume I wear is kinda expensive).
Actually the above would work with most herbs to make an extract. Could then become nice smelling bath or lotion items.

[venatic]

Good idea, but I kinda need stuff that doesn't have a long shelf life, if I'm planning on moving or whatnot in under 2 months. Which is the whole reason I'm looking to use up my herbs in the first place (as customs is understandably unlikely to allow them through)

I've also tried the peppermint in vodka thing, and unless you're using really, really fresh/strong peppermint, it's not terribly effective. Peppermint essential oil isn't terribly expensive and could be mixed with a carrier oil?

[traykor]

Do you have people around you could give away extra batches of home made stuff to, like lotions or an herbal tea blend? Seems like it'd be hard to use up some stuff otherwise, but I don't know if going away presents are a thing in Japan. (I would totally put a ribbon on a jar of mixed herbs and be like 'something to remember me by!' to neighbors/coworkers/landlord)

I don't think I've used hibiscus for anything but punch, is that what you usually do with it?