Scent balls, or scent pastilles, are made from scented flowers and herbs melted together with a resin into a shapable mixture and can be any size or shape; it can be sculptured to produce belt buckles, broaches, bracelets, pendants, or just simple beads, ovals or disks. The mixture dries hard and can be polished or shaped by turning on a lathe. They retain their subtle perfumes for a very long time, years in fact. Use only DRIED herbs in these recipes- not fresh.

Standard Recipe

Powdered Orris Root – 3 oz

Cassia – 1 oz

Lavender flowers – 1 oz

Cloves – 1 oz

Vanilla – 1 tsp

Ambergris Musk – 6 grains

(this can be changed to 6 drops of tincture of benzoin, a tsp of rose essence, rose oil, or even rose water, if you find ambergris too expensive or difficult to find. Amber oil is also a good replacement, or any musk oil fragrance you like. If using oils, use 6 drops). Sandalwood or any perfumed wood – 1/2 oz in tiny pieces or sawdust Attar of Roses, or Rose water – 15 to 20 drops

Oil of Verbena – 15 to 20 drops

Mucilage of Gum Tragacanth – enough to mix. Ribbon gum is best.

You can adjust the scent by using your own choice in flowers, herbs, or seeds. Once the mixture becomes doughy and sticky, form into balls, or any shape you wish. Put a hole through the beads for stringing by using a needle. Polish and rub the beads once they are dried. Dry in the fresh air. Do not put them into anything plastic to keep, that makes them soft again and eventually they will go moldy.

Simple Recipe

A simple bead preparation is to add to flowers and herbs, rose water, and enough mucilage of gum tragancanth to make a sticky dough. Shape and when dry, polish. These are not as successful or long lasting as the recipe above but will give a nice bead without too much expense. If you can add powdered orris root, it makes a much more easily shaped bead.

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