Susan's Herb Snips

from Susan's Collection of Herbal Lore


The All-Natural Easter Egg

The decorated egg, a symbol of rebirth in many pagan cultures, made its first appearance in Europe when the Crusaders brought the idea from the East. Natural dyes are fun and easy for kids to work with, and they'll learn about plants in the process. In general, the more coloring agent you use and the longer the egg remains in the dye, the darker the color will be. Arrange these pastel eggs in a basket with snips of rosemary, thyme, sage, and fuzzy lambs ears and use as a table decoration.
Red Simmer eggs for up to an hour with the skins of red onions
Tan Simmer eggs for up to an hour with the skins of yellow onions
Dark brown Add 2 tablespoons instant coffee and 1 teaspoon vinegar to two cups hot water, soak boiled eggs overnight
Pink Soak boiled eggs overnight in cranberry or beet juice
Lavender Pour hot water over violet blossoms, soak boiled eggs overnight.
Yellow Add 2 teaspoons of tumeric and 1 teaspoon vinegar to 3 cups water, soak boiled eggs overnight
Blue Simmer eggs for up to an hour with a few leaves of red cabbage, or soak boiled eggs in grape juice


Copyright 2001 Susan Wittig Albert. All rights reserved.