bidens alba (pilosa) tincture

 I'm about to slash a big section of yard covered in bidens alba, so I want to use some of it first so I'm making this tincture.  I read/watched a lot and this is what I'm coming up with:

- harvest bidens flowers, leaves, roots if desired.  Clean if necessary

- mash with/roll in hands (or use mortar and pestle for some muddling).  

- fill a clean jar with plant material

- fill it with alcohol of high proof; recommended 80-90% alcohol for bidens tincturing 

- let it sit in a dark place 6-8 weeks, shaking daily

- strain into amber or blue smaller bottles for storage up to several years 

 

And now I need to go find some everclear! 

Spanish needles - bidens alba

 You know those little white daisy looking flowers with the needles that stick in your socks and clothes?  They took over my front yard while I was gone, and I was yanking them out like crazy ... and then I noticed how the bees love them so I asked and learned what they are and did a little digging around and this site especially is helpful.

Here's the recipe I plan to make soon (as a friend just brought me some fish he caught) that I nabbed from the comments on that site:

Place piece of fish on foil.

Wash a big handful of fresh, washed greens and put them right on top of the fish. (don’t forget spices and butter, etc. on it all) 

Close up the foil, poke a few wee holes in the top and bake for around 15 minutes at 400 degrees (depends on thickness of fish, if frozen, etc.)

Another thing I plan to do is make a pot of cooked greens from them, perhaps with some salt pork or hamhock or something tasty.