Gifts from the land to me are wonderful little treasures that just appear with no effort on my part. I don’t have to plant them, water or work the land to make them grow. All I have to do is recognize them as God gift’s and enjoy them. I realize that most people view dandelions and violets as weeds and can’t wait to get rid of them. But to me, they are little rays of sunshine scattered throughout my yard. And I have come to view them as God’s way of brightening my day.
Did you know that it is believed that the pilgrim bought dandelions with them on the Mayflower? Why, would they do that if they were just a weed? Because there is more to that little yellow button of a flower than you think.
As a child, I would pick them and proudly bring them to my mother. As an adult, I see them not only for their beauty but as nourishment to both my body and soul. Did you know you could eat the flowers and leaves from both plants? That they are high in vitamins and have many health benefits. You will be amazed at how much these two unwanted plants have to offer. I hope that you too will quickly put them on your must-have herb list.
Wild Violet leaves and flowers are edible. The leaves are very tasty and you can cook them like any other leafy green or add them raw to your salad along with the flowers. The beginning of the season is the best time to eat them.
Benefits of Wild Violets
- Anti-inflammatory
- Expectorant
- Helps bronchitis and Asthma
- Dry and Whooping coughs
- Lowering Cholesterol
- High in vitamins A, C & rutin
- Good for the heart
- Rids the body of toxins
- Stomach issues
- Insomnia
- And much more
All parts of the dandelion are edible including the roots.
Benefits of Dandelions
- Anti-inflammatory
- Detoxes the body
- mild antiviral
- Stomach issues
- High in vitamins A, B, C , D & K
- High in iron, and potassium
- Full of antioxidant
- Helps stabilize blood sugar
- Lowering Cholesterol & triglyceride
- Good for the heart and liver
- Boost the immune system
- Reduces water weight
- And much more
As with all herbs ask your doctor if dandelion or violet will affect any of the medicine you may be taking. If you are allergic to ragweed, or iodine, you should avoid dandelion.
Tea
sweet Violet Tea: Use 1-2 teaspoons of fresh flowers, (about a palm full) to 1 cup of boiling water. Infuse for 10 minutes then strain. If you have hard water like I do the violets will not turn the water blue, I had to use bottled water for the pretty blue. If you squeeze lemon into the tea it will turn light pink. Add sugar or honey to your liking.
Dandelion tea 4-5 dandelion flowers, you can put it in a strainer if you like, I just add it directly into a cup of boiling water. Let steep for 10 minutes. It will have a faint yellow color. Spoon out the dandelion, add sugar or honey, and enjoy.
Violet Simple Syrup
About 1 cup of violets flowers only
1 jar
Enough water to cover the flowers
1 cup of sugar
Day one:
Pick the violets, from a safe place. Somewhere you know has not been sprayed. Rinse them off to remove any bugs before placing them in a mason jar. Cover the flowers with water, put the lid on and let sit for 24 hours.
Day two:
Strain the violet water into a saucepan or a measuring cup, using a fine strainer. Squeeze any excess water from the flowers. You should have a cup of water. If not you can add a little water, if more than a cup just add the same amount of sugar. Add sugar to the violet water. Heat over low heat until the sugar is dissolved. Watch and stir you don’t want the mess of boiled sugar water to clean up. Store in a mason jar for up to 6 months in the refrigerator. You can use this like any simple syrup in teas, drinks, or recipes, just enjoy.
Dandelion Simple Syrup
About 1 cup of dandelion flowers only
1 jar
Enough water to cover the flowers
1 cup of sugar
Day one:
Pick the dandelion, from a safe place. Somewhere you know has not been sprayed. Rinse them off to remove any bugs before placing them in a mason jar. Cover the flowers with water, put the lid on and let sit for 24 hours in a cool dark place.
Day two:
Strain the dandelion water into a saucepan or a measuring cup, using a fine strainer. Squeeze any excess water from the flowers. You should have a cup of water. If not you can add a little water, if more than a cup just add the same amount of sugar. Add sugar to the dandelion water and bring to a boil over medium heat stir until the sugar is dissolved. Watch and stir you don’t want the mess of boil sugar water to clean up. Store in manson jar for up to 1 months in the refrigerator.
You can use this like any simple syrup in teas, drinks, recipes, just enjoy.