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"The
Natural Way to Health"
Herbal Paper Making
The Chinese invented paper
making by using flax with tree bark. The following is
how to make herbal paper, plus helping the
environment.
Preparing Plant Pulp
3 gallons fresh herbs
1quart water
2 tablespoons caustic soda
1) In a 3 gallon bucket, fill it full of herbs that
have been cut or torn into 1 inch pieces. Crush thick
pieces with a mallet to help the breakdown process.
2) Pour 1 quart cold water into a stainless steel pan
and stir in the caustic soda, using a wooden spoon to stir.
(Do not let the caustic soda get on clothes, in eyes or
inhale. If this does happen rinse immediately). Add
the herbs, cover with extra water if necessary, and let
simmer for 2 to 2 1/2 hours. The plant fibers should
feel soft and easy to bend.
3) Rinse the herbs thoroughly to remove all traces of
caustic soda. This step may take two or three rinses.
When completed, strain through a sieve.
4) Place all pulp into a net bag, and rinse again in
water. Then squeeze the fibers as much as possible.
This may take several minutes.
5) In a blender add 2 1/2 tablespoons of the fibers
with 3 cups water for 10 to 30 seconds. The more you
blend the finer the particles the finer the paper.
6) Next the paper needs to be sized. Mix 1/5
teaspoon cold water laundry starch with a 1 tablespoon water
and stir into the pulp.
Making
the Botanical paper
1) Fill a plastic basin
with pulp to just below the rim.
2) Place the empty wooden frame over the netted frame
hold together and dip vertically into the basin.
Tilt to horizontal below the water, and raise slowly,
keeping the frame horizontal.
3) Lay on newspaper or absorbent towel to drain.
Wool or felt work extremely well. Remove the empty top
frame. Then this is where the fun comes in.
Place flowers, petals, and essential oils and let dry.
4) When the paper is completely dry slide a thin
knife, like a palette knife under the sheet to loosen it
from the frame. Clean the frame and reuse
for next paper making project.
The easiest flowers and herbs to use are:
daisy's, peppermint, lemon, sage, rosemary, lavender,
chamomile, and my favorite...primroses.
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