Springtime Edible & Medicinal Plants (In your backyard!)
Each year as winter weather subsides, God gifts us with many early bloomers that announce themselves as the first signs of spring. Most people, unfortunately, see these gifts as enemies called weeds and take to pesticides and lawn equipment to eradicate them immediately. Below were going to look at four very common early spring plants that are powerhouses for your immune system, and great to harvest and preserve into salves, tinctures, and powders for later use.
Dandelion: Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is a common herb that is often considered a weed. However, it has many medicinal and edible properties. The roots and leaves of dandelion are rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, C, and K, calcium, iron, and potassium. Dandelion is also known to have diuretic properties and is often used to treat water retention and liver problems. The leaves can be eaten raw in salads or cooked like spinach, and the roots can be roasted and used as a coffee substitute. My favorite uses for Dandelion are tinctures and salves and I currently have both aging in my stockroom. Below are the two recipes for them.
Dandelion Tincture: Dandelion tincture is a liquid extract made by steeping the dandelion plant in alcohol and water. It is used to support liver function, aid digestion, and reduce inflammation.
To make dandelion tincture, follow these steps:
Harvest fresh dandelion leaves and/or roots when they are at their peak potency. Clean them well and chop them into small pieces.
Fill a clean glass jar with the chopped dandelion leaves and/or roots, leaving about an inch of space at the top.
Pour high-proof alcohol (such as vodka or brandy) over the herbs to cover them completely. Use a ratio of 1 part herb to 5 parts alcohol.
Seal the jar tightly and shake it daily for 2-4 weeks. This helps to extract the medicinal properties of the dandelion into the alcohol.
After 2-4 weeks, strain the liquid through a cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer into a clean jar.
Label the jar with the herb and date of preparation, and store in a cool, dark place. Dandelion tincture can last for several years if stored properly.
Dandelion Salve: Dandelion salve is a topical preparation made with infused oil and beeswax, and it can be used to soothe dry or irritated skin, or as a general moisturizer.
To make dandelion salve, follow these steps:
Harvest fresh dandelion flowers and leaves when they are at their peak potency. Clean them well and chop them into small pieces.
Place the chopped dandelion flowers and leaves in a clean glass jar and cover with a carrier oil (such as olive oil or coconut oil). Make sure the herbs are completely covered by the oil.
Place the jar in a sunny spot for 2-4 weeks, shaking it daily to help extract the properties.
After 2-4 weeks, strain the oil through a cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer into a clean jar.
In a double boiler or heat-proof bowl set over a pot of simmering water, melt beeswax (about 1 ounce of beeswax for every 4 ounces of infused oil) and stir in the infused oil until well combined.
Pour the mixture into small jars or tins and let it cool and solidify. Label the jars with the herb and date of preparation, and store in a cool, dark place. Dandelion salve can last for several months to a year if stored properly.
Wild violet: also known as Viola odorata or sweet violet, is a common perennial plant that is native to Europe and Asia but has been naturalized in many parts of the world, including North America. It is often grown as an ornamental plant for its fragrant flowers and attractive foliage.
In addition to its aesthetic value, wild violet also has several medicinal properties. It has been used traditionally to treat a variety of ailments, including respiratory infections, coughs, colds, and skin conditions. It is believed to have anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and expectorant properties.
Here are some ways you can use wild violet:
Tea: Wild violet leaves and flowers can be brewed into a tea that can be consumed hot or cold. To make wild violet tea, pour boiling water over a handful of fresh or dried wild violet leaves and flowers, and let steep for 5-10 minutes. Sweeten with honey or sugar if desired.
Tincture: Wild violet can be made into a tincture by steeping the plant in alcohol and water. The tincture can be used to treat respiratory infections, coughs, and colds. To make a wild violet tincture, follow the same steps as for the dandelion tincture described above.
Salve: Wild violet salve can be used topically to soothe dry or irritated skin, or as a general moisturizer. To make wild violet salve, follow the same steps as for the dandelion salve described above, using wild violet flowers and leaves instead of dandelion.
Culinary use: Wild violet flowers and leaves can be used in cooking and baking. The flowers can be used to decorate cakes and other desserts, while the leaves can be added to salads or used as a garnish.
Red and white clover are two closely related species of flowering plants that belong to the legume family. They are commonly found in fields, meadows, and pastures and are known for their ability to fix nitrogen in the soil, making them an important source of nutrition for livestock.
Both red and white clover have been used traditionally as medicinal herbs. They are believed to have anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and expectorant properties, and have been used to treat a variety of conditions, including respiratory infections, coughs, and skin conditions.
Here are some ways you can use red and white clover:
Tea: Red and white clover can be brewed into a tea that can be consumed hot or cold. To make clover tea, pour boiling water over a handful of fresh or dried clover flowers and let steep for 5-10 minutes. Sweeten with honey or sugar if desired.
Tincture: Clover can be made into a tincture by steeping the plant in alcohol and water. The tincture can be used to treat respiratory infections, coughs, and colds. To make a clover tincture, follow the same steps as for the dandelion tincture described above.
Salve: Clover salve can be used topically to soothe dry or irritated skin, or as a general moisturizer. To make clover salve, follow the same steps as for the dandelion salve described above, using clover flowers instead of dandelion.
Culinary use: Clover flowers can be used to make a sweet syrup that can be added to desserts, and drinks, or used as a natural sweetener. Clover leaves can also be added to salads or used as a garnish.
Purple dead nettle, also known as Lamium purpureum, is a common herbaceous plant that belongs to the mint family. It is native to Europe and Asia but has been naturalized in many parts of the world, including North America. It is often considered a weed and can be found growing in disturbed areas, such as roadsides, fields, and gardens.
Despite its status as a weed, purple dead nettle has several medicinal properties. It is believed to have anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and astringent properties, and has been used traditionally to treat a variety of ailments, including respiratory infections, coughs, and skin conditions.
Here are some ways you can use purple dead nettle:
Tea: Purple dead nettle leaves and flowers can be brewed into a tea that can be consumed hot or cold. To make purple dead nettle tea, pour boiling water over a handful of fresh or dried leaves and flowers, and let steep for 5-10 minutes. Sweeten with honey or sugar if desired.
Tincture: Purple dead nettle can be made into a tincture by steeping the plant in alcohol and water. The tincture can be used to treat respiratory infections, coughs, and colds. To make a purple dead nettle tincture, follow the same steps as for the dandelion tincture described above.
Salve: Purple dead nettle salve can be used topically to soothe dry or irritated skin, or as a general moisturizer. To make purple dead nettle salve, follow the same steps as for the dandelion salve described above, using purple dead nettle leaves and flowers instead of dandelion.
Culinary use: Purple dead nettle leaves can be added to salads or used as a garnish. The leaves have a slightly bitter taste and can be eaten raw or cooked.
It is important to note that any wild plant can cause allergic reactions in some people. It is always a good idea to do a patch test before using any new herbal preparation on your skin. Additionally, pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid using wild plants unless they do personal research or consult their Doctor or Midwife.
Happy Foraging!
-Sarah