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Fill a glass jar with your choice of fresh herbs. To get the most nutrients from your herbs, chop them into small pieces first. It is crucial to completely fill your jar with herbs. I like to use single herbs at a time, leaves, roots & flowers. Some people like to combine several herbs.
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You can use fresh thyme, oregano, rosemary or dill to make a savory vinegar that's very tasty in salad dressings or marinades. -Or- fresh nettle, chicory, burdock, mustard greens, kale, lambs quarters etc. (or dandelion greens!) will be more nutritive and tonic. Experiment with single herbs at a time to find your favorite!
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Pour room-temperature apple cider vinegar over the herbs until it is full to the top. Cover your jar with a plastic screw-on lid. Don't use metal lids because they react to the vinegar in a nasty way! Alternatively, you can use several layers of plastic or wax paper held on with a rubber band, or even a cork if it fits tightly enough. If you use unpasteurized vinegar you may get a film that forms at the top of what is called, 'the mother'. Simply skim it off when you decant.
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Label your vinegar with the date and the type of herbs you used.
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Place jar in a dark place like a kitchen cupboard or pantry shelf for 6 - 8 weeks.
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Strain out the herbs and bottle your vinegar. (Again, avoid metal lids.).
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Some people like to eat the 'pickled' herbs rather than discard them. Decide for yourself.
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Using Herbal Vinegars:
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~ Add a splash to cooked greens.
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~ Use them in your salad dressing.
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~ Add to cooked beans or stir fry.
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~ Dilute in a small amount of water and drink them down.
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Herbal Remedies DANDELION: The leaves of the dandelion plant are a powerful diuretic. The roots are a blood purifier which helps remove toxins from the liver and kidneys. Because it is high in vitamins and iron, this herb is useful for treating anemia. It's diuretic properties make it a useful treatment for bladder infections. A bitter, appetite stimulant, this herb increases production of bile to help relieve constipation, gallstones, hemorrhoids and IBS. The root of this herb is often combined with milk thistle in a tincture form for stimulating and detoxifying the liver. The flowers contain a substance called helenin as well as vitamins A and B-2 (riboflavin), which may be helpful in treating night vision problems. In the spring dandelion leaves and roots produce mannitol, a substance used in the treatment of hypertension and a weak heart. herbalremedies.com.
