Scientific Name: Lavandula angustifolia

Benefits: Promotes relaxation, reduces anxiety, improves sleep quality, and uplifts mood.

Uses: Aromatherapy, tea, sleep sachets, sensory grounding.

Usage Details:

• Aromatherapy: Gently rub the flowers to release their essential oils and place near the bed or in a calming corner.
• Tea: Steep 1 tsp of dried flowers in hot water for 5–7 minutes. Sip slowly before bedtime.
• Sleep Sachets: Fill a small cloth bag with dried lavender and place it under the pillow to promote restful sleep.
• Sensory Activity: Invite participants to harvest flowers, then roll them between fingers while focusing on scent and touch to ground the senses.

Scientific Name: Rosmarinus officinalis

Benefits: Boosts memory, sharpens focus, reduces mental fatigue, stimulates circulation.

Uses: Culinary herb, memory-enhancing scent, infused oils, grounding garden tasks.

Usage Details:

• Cognitive Support: Crush fresh rosemary and inhale deeply for clarity before starting a task.
• Cooking Therapy: Add to bread dough, roasted vegetables, or soups.
• Oil Infusion: Steep sprigs in olive oil for 2–3 weeks and use the infused oil as a hand rub during mindfulness practice.
• Garden Activity: Pruning or shaping rosemary is great for focus and motor coordination.

Scientific Name: Mentha spp.

Benefits: Uplifts mood, improves digestion, refreshes the mind and body, supports focus.

Uses: Tea, compresses, sensory exploration, garnish for therapeutic cooking.

Usage Details:

• Tea: Use 5–6 fresh leaves or 1 tsp dried in a cup of hot water. Steep for 5 minutes.
• Cooling Compress: Crush mint and add to cool water. Soak a cloth and apply to the neck or forehead.
• Mindfulness Practice: Rub a leaf, inhale deeply, and describe the scent and memory it brings.
• Garden Engagement: Encourage harvesting or transplanting mint as a soothing activity.

Scientific Name: Matricaria chamomilla

Benefits: Calms the nervous system, improves sleep, reduces stress, aids digestion.

Uses: Tea, compresses, flower-picking therapy, mindfulness rituals.

Usage Details:

• Tea: Steep 1–2 tsp dried flowers in hot water for 10 minutes. Drink before bed or after a stressful session.
• Compress: Soak a clean cloth in cooled tea and apply to eyes or hands.
• Flower Harvesting: Invite participants to pick flowers gently and arrange them in small bowls to engage senses and motor skills.

Scientific Name: Aloe barbadensis

Benefits: Soothes skin, promotes wound healing, reduces inflammation, hydrates.

Uses: Topical gel, skin therapy, indoor plant care, sensory exploration.

Usage Details:

• Topical Use: Cut an outer leaf, extract the clear gel, and apply directly to minor burns or dry skin.
• Indoor Care: Great for potting and watering activities—builds confidence and responsibility.
• Texture Exploration: Have participants feel and describe the cool, jelly-like substance as a grounding activity.

Scientific Name: Melissa officinalis

Benefits: Relieves stress, boosts mood, calms anxiety, gently stimulates the mind.

Uses: Tea, scent therapy, calming activities, indoor/outdoor plant care.

Usage Details:

• Tea: Steep 6–8 leaves in hot water for 5 minutes.
• Scent Therapy: Crush a fresh leaf and inhale deeply—ideal for calming anxious minds.
• Plant Nurturing: Keep in a pot or therapy garden. Participants can care for it daily as a mood-boosting task.

Scientific Name: Ocimum basilicum

Benefits: Boosts mental clarity, improves digestion, promotes a sense of calm and well-being.

Uses: Culinary herb, tea, sensory harvesting, therapeutic cooking.

Usage Details:

• Tea: Steep 4–6 fresh leaves in hot water for 5 minutes to create a focus-enhancing brew.
• Cooking: Use in pasta, salads, or soups to stimulate appetite and sensory awareness.
• Harvesting Task: Pinch leaves from the top of the plant – encourages mindfulness and connection to growth cycles.

Scientific Name: Thymus vulgaris

Benefits: It supports respiratory health, promotes mental clarity, antibacterial, and mood balancing.

Uses: Tea, sensory walks, memory planting, culinary engagement.

Usage Details:

• Tea: Boil 1 tsp dried thyme in water and let steep 10 minutes—great for clearing sinuses.
• Sensory Walk: Brush hands across the plant and take a deep breath—helps focus attention.
• Memory Garden: Plant as a symbolic herb to honor healing journeys or special memories.