LIFE’S FLAVORS 8/18- Your Garden ~ Wild Edibles- BY ALLISON LIBBY – THESING OF THE OAKS BED & BREAKFAST
All across the country wild herbs, plants, berries and flowers grow that can be made into syrups, teas, and tinctures. Each of these options provide different health benefits curative from Mother Nature, that can even be grown in the garden. Dandilions, elderberries, and golden rod are each found in the wild or your lawn but can be made into something that provides health benefits. Dandelions, while a nucance to the majority of home owners can provide amazing health benefits. Containing many vitamins such A, C and K, along with E, folate and some B vitamins. By using the whole plant you can even gain minerals through the consumption of the leaves. From root to stem and everything in between once cleaned off and diced up a dandelion tincture can be created to make and heal many ailments as well as boosting immunity and reducing inflammation.
Dandelion Tincture • collect enough dandelions to fill 2 quarts jars. • Clean and chop up each section• Evenly distribute cuttings into two jars• Cover everything with vodka • Let sit for 8 weeks • Strain out the liquid into a clean jar. • Two drops under the tongue or into a glass of water each day will help keep you healthyElderberries, found along road side ditches and the edges of creek beds the flowers and the fruit can be harvested to use as a garnish, a healing syrup, or to create a French liquor. Our personal favorite way of using elderberries is to create an elderberry syrup that can be used to help prevent and reduce the time of sickness for the common cold, flu, and prevent illness.
Elderberry Syrup• 3½ cups water• ⅔ cup dried elderberries (or 1 1/3 cups fresh or frozen)• 2 TBSP ginger (grated)• 1 tsp cinnamon• ½ tsp ground cloves• 1 cup raw honey• Pour the water into a medium saucepan and add the elderberries, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.• Bring to a boil and then uncover and reduce to a simmer for about 30 to 45 minutes until the liquid has reduced by almost half.• Remove from heat and let cool until it’s lukewarm.• Mash the berries carefully using a spoon or other flat utensil.• Pour through a strainer or cheesecloth into a glass jar or bowl. Discard the elderberries. • When the liquid is no longer hot, add the cup of honey and stir well.• When the honey is well mixed into the elderberry mixture, pour the syrup into a mason jar or glass bottle of some kind.• You just made homemade elderberry syrup! Store in the fridge and take daily for its immune boosting properties. Some sources recommend taking only during the week and not on the weekends to boost immunity.• Check guidelines for adults and children on how much to take Golden rod, can be found along the roadside early in the months of fall.The leaves and flowers can be used to make a tea, dried or not, to help with inflammation, congestion and as a natural diuretic.
Gold rod Tea • Collect flowers and leaves to dry or steep when found. • Pour hot water over the golden rod• Steep and then drink. You can add local honey to help sweeten the tea.Each of these plants have been around for years and are often overlooked as a nuisance or weeds due to their growing locations. Don’t just pull the dandelions out and throw them away use them to help improve your daily life. Instead of driving by golden rod and elderberries. Stop and cut a few to help your body and enjoy. By using your natural resources you can change your life for the better without the use of modern medicine.
