"Like the herbalists of old, I create scents that
do people good. That's one of the reasons I
adore the Elizabethan era. It was an exciting
time, with explorers traveling the world,
bringing back new spices and oils."

Angela Flanders

Angela made eight to 10 small (six-inch) satin bags with this recipe. You could also use muslin bags, available at apothecaries and aromatherapy supply stores.

Oils:

120 drops (6 ml) rose scent (or rose-scented oil)
80 drops (4 ml) sandalwood oil
40 drops (2 ml) frankincense oil
20 drops (1 ml) myrrh
10 drops (1/2 ml) black pepper oil

Botanicals:

1/4 oz. powdered orrisroot
1/4 oz. powdered gum benzoin
10 oz. dried rose petals (highly scented ones are best)
1 oz. whole cloves
2 oz. allspice berries, crushed
1 cinnamon stick, broken in small pieces

Blend the oils together in a bowl. In another bowl, mix together the orrisroot and the gum benzoin. Stir in the oil mixture a bit at a time.* The mixture will be pastelike. Add the remaining botanicals, stirring well until everything is coated. Cover and set in a dark place for a few days to mature. Fill small pouches with the mixture and place them anywhere you want a spicy scent.

* It's not necessary to use all the oil, which is very
pungent. Stored in a dark bottle, any leftover oil can be used to refresh the bags as the fragrance in the sweet bags fades.