We're moving into a new apartment tomorrow (Aug. 20) and we're supposed to sprinkle water around the walls with pomelo leaves, but I cannot find them anywhere in Paris. Is there another more common substitute? I found a citrus plant at a local flower shop, will that work? Or eucalyptus leaves? Or just my fingers?

1. All three may be considered "herbs" of sorts. Pomelo leaves are crushed and often used as remedies for arthritis & aches.

2. The closest equivalent "Chinese" thing is as you had mentioned from the citus family. In Asia, there are at least three variants of the citrus plants - many that have adapted to their country.

3. The citrus fruit especially lime is also used for "cleansing rituals/beliefs". For example, when someone felt that he/she has bad luck - flower bathing ritual includes a cut lime (cut into two pieces) combined with the flower - after a bathe to symbolically wash away bad luck...

3. While ecucalyptus can also be used, abeit, more exotic than the above two.

4. I would do the same and use citrus plant as a 1st choice subsitute.

Anonymous wrote:
We're moving into a new apartment tomorrow (Aug. 20) and we're supposed to sprinkle water around the walls with pomelo leaves, but I cannot find them anywhere in Paris. Is there another more common substitute? I found a citrus plant at a local flower shop, will that work? Or eucalyptus leaves? Or just my fingers?

Some Catholics use a Palm leaf + Holy Water