Last night I was dusting some books, and that takes quite a while because I have to stop and look through old favorites, or new ones I bought and never got around to reading. The one I just had to leaf through was Mastering Herbalism, by Paul Huson, published back in the 70s. It got good reviews. Covers everything from herbs considered aphrodisiacs to recipes. One, Dandelion Wine, made me think of the sci-fi story by Ray Bradbury. Here's the recipe for the wine:
Dandelion Wine
4 quarts fresh dandelion flowers
1 gallon cold water
3 1/2 pounds white sugar
1 piece ginger root
Rind of 1 orange
1 lemon, diced
2 tablespoons brewer's yeast, spread on both sides of a piece of toast
Make sure the dandelion flowers are free of all portions of stem. Place them in a tub and pour 1 gallon of cold water on them, leaving them to stand for 3 days, stirring every 8 hours or so. Strain of off the golden liquid at the end of this time, and boil it with the sugar, ginger, orange and lemon for 30 minutes. After it has cooled, float the toast on it, cover with a cloth and leave for 2 days to start the fermentation. Cask with the bung only slightly in place for a week or two until the gases have escaped, and then bung tightly for 2 months before bottling. The wine tastes like a mild sherry.
You gonna' try it? ;D
Quote from: Locutus on May 07, 2013, 12:22:05 AM
You gonna' try it? ;D
I would, but would have trouble finding that many dandelions. Most people consider them weeds. I have a few among the herbs and other rock garden plants in my little townhouse front yard, but nowhere near what I'd need for the wine. I was schooled in
homebrew -- uh, wine-making as a girl. :biggrin: My grandmother and dad used to make it in a crock with a plate to cover it and a rock to weigh it down during the fermentation process. My sisters and I used to sneak and taste it, and I thought it was pretty good (they used grapes).
Come on over. The field across the road is full of those damn things!
(http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr111/hlovett_2008/photo-11_zpsfe60dee6.jpg) (http://s475.photobucket.com/user/hlovett_2008/media/photo-11_zpsfe60dee6.jpg.html)
Quote from: Palehorse on May 07, 2013, 11:08:08 AM
Come on over. The field across the road is full of those damn things!
(http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr111/hlovett_2008/photo-11_zpsfe60dee6.jpg) (http://s475.photobucket.com/user/hlovett_2008/media/photo-11_zpsfe60dee6.jpg.html)
If you get that many dandilions in your yard, it will make you drink. :shots:
Can the grow dandelions in England?
Sorry, just had to throw that in there.... :spooked: ;D
Quote from: The Troll on May 07, 2013, 11:27:15 AM
If you get that many dandilions in your yard, it will make you drink. :shots:
Yup. And it is a
constant battle to keep them at bay. . . :mad:
Quote from: Henry Hawk on May 07, 2013, 11:29:47 AM
Can the grow dandelions in England?
Sorry, just had to throw that in there.... :spooked: ;D
:food24: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:
Quote from: Henry Hawk on May 07, 2013, 11:29:47 AM
Can the grow dandelions in England?
Sorry, just had to throw that in there.... :spooked: ;D
Now that is REALLY funny!!!!!!
Got any recipes for chickweed? I hate that stuff!
Who knew?
The fresh leaves have been employed as a poultice for inflammation and indolent ulcers with most beneficial results. A poultice of Chickweed enclosed in muslin is a sure remedy for a carbuncle or an external abscess. The water in which the Chickweed is boiled should also be used to bathe the affected part.
Gerard tells us that:
'the leaves of Chickweed boyled in water very soft, adding thereto some hog's grease, the powder of Fenugreeke and Linseed, and a few roots of Marsh Mallows, and stamped to the forme of Cataplasme or pultesse, taketh away the swelling of the legs or any other part . . . in a word it comforteth, digesteth, defendeth and suppurateth very notably.'
He says that 'the leaves boyled in vinegar and salt are good against mangines of the hands and legs, if they be bathed therewith.'
Combined with Elecampane, Chickweed has also been recommended as a specific for hydrophobia, and the juice, taken internally, for scurvy.
The plant chopped and boiled in lard makes a fine green cooling ointment, good for piles and sores, and cutaneous diseases. It has also been employed as an application for ophthalmia.
A decoction made with the fresh plant is good for constipation, and an infusion of the dried herb is efficacious in coughs and hoarseness. The dose of the fluid extract is 10 to 60 drops.
Culpepper calls it 'a fine, soft, pleasing herb, under the dominion of the Moon,' and goes on to tell us that:
'It is found to be as effectual as Purslain to all the purposes whereunto it serveth, except for meat only. The herb bruised, or the juice applied, with cloths or sponges dipped therein to the region of the liver, and as they dry to have fresh applied, doth wonderfully temper the heat of the liver and is effectual for all impostumes and swellings whatsoever; for all redness in the face, wheals, pushes, itch or scabs, the juice being either simply used, or boiled in hog's grease; the juice or distilled water is of good use for all heat and redness in the eyes ... as also into the ears.... It helpeth the sinews when they are shrunk by cramps or otherwise, and extends and makes them pliable again, by using the following methods, viz.: Boil a handful of Chickweed and a handful of dried red-rose leaves, but not distilled, in a quart of muscadine, until a fourth part be consumed; then put to them a pint of oil of trotters, or sheep's feet, let them boil a good while, still stirring them well, which being strained, anoint the grieved part therewith warm against the fire, rubbing it well with your hand, and bind also some of the herb, if you choose, to the place, and with God's blessing it will help in three times dressing.'
Chickweed water is an old wives' remedy for obesity.
http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/c/chickw60.html (http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/c/chickw60.html)
I can't help myself from thinking of Granny Clampett using some chickweed to make some of her "rhuematizz" medicine.... :razz:
Hard to believe that Elly May Clampett is now age 79. :spooked:
And if ole' Granny were still alive, she would be a ripe old 110. :yes:
Great! Now I'm feelin OLD RIGHT NOW!!! :spooked:
All of those actors from the good ol days are dropping like flies....
Quote from: Henry Hawk on May 07, 2013, 12:45:32 PM
Great! Now I'm feelin OLD RIGHT NOW!!! :spooked:
All of those actors from the good ol days are dropping like flies....
We ARE old, Hank! :-[
Quote from: Olias on May 07, 2013, 12:46:22 PM
We ARE old, Hank! :-[
That is NOT making me feel ANY better ............BO!
Quote from: Olias on May 07, 2013, 12:46:22 PM
We ARE old, Hank! :-[
Just for the record, I think both of you are older than me. :razz: :biggrin:
Quote from: Locutus on May 07, 2013, 12:55:29 PM
Just for the record, I think both of you are older than me. :razz: :biggrin:
Still not helping here!!
I agree with PH.........is MONDAY about over yet!!
Quote from: Henry Hawk on May 07, 2013, 12:50:17 PM
That is NOT making me feel ANY better ............BO!
How do you think I feel about it? We are all in this together, Dude!
Quote from: Locutus on May 07, 2013, 12:55:29 PM
Just for the record, I think both of you are older than me. :razz: :biggrin:
And the youngun chimes in. :biggrin:
Quote from: Bo D on May 07, 2013, 12:59:58 PM
And the youngun chimes in. :biggrin:
:food24: :rotfl:
Get that boy a bah-bah of dandelion wine will yah. I think it's time fer his nap. :biggrin:
Okay, I'm going to have to open the bar.........go down in my cellar and dig up some of grannys dandelion wine....we ALL need a shot or two of it.
Quote from: Henry Hawk on May 07, 2013, 01:09:35 PM
Okay, I'm going to have to open the bar.........go down in my cellar and dig up some of grannys dandelion wine....we ALL need a shot or two of it.
:yes: