DIY Botanical Egg Dye

Are you feeling the excitement of this seasonal change? Spring brings us renewed energy and new projects to do! It is no coincidence that our most beloved spring project uses eggs, because eggs symbolize new life and we celebrate the season when vegetation begins to appear.

We include our plant friends in all seasonal rituals here at WishGarden. Plant-based products are great alternatives to harmful dyes, and we want to share them Do it yourself recipe for dying eggs with you! We bought everything at our local health food store.

What you need

1. 24 boiled white eggs
2. 1 cup of lavender flower to 3-4 cups of water
3. 1 cup of elderberries to 2 cups of water
4. 3 red onions (use only the skin) in 1 ½ cups of water
5. 3 yellow onions (plain with skin) in 2 cups of water
6. 2 beets and an inch of top stems in 2 cups of water
7. ¼ cup turmeric powder 2 cups water
8. ¼ cup paprika powder to 2 cups water
9. 1 cup of red cabbage to 2 cups of water
10. 8-10 glass jars or clear cups containing 10 cups of liquid each
11. white vinegar
12. Small saucepan with lid
13. Cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer

Instructions

1. Set out the jars in which you will place the eggs and food coloring
2. Pour 2 tablespoons of white vinegar into empty jars
3. Simmer each plant material (each in a separate pot) with water on high for 3 minutes with the lid on the pot.
4. Strain the plant material into a large measuring cup using a fine mesh strainer – BE CAREFUL, IT’S HOT!
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for each botanical plant and pour them all into a jar of vinegar
6. After the dye has cooled a bit, place the eggs in their dying jar
7. Fill the jars with white vinegar and put a lid on or cover each jar
8. Store in the refrigerator for 3 days if darker colors are desired, 1-2 days if pastel colors are desired
9. Share your egg-drying rituals and tag us @Wishgardenherbs on Facebook, Instagram and/or LinkedIn!

Lauren Ann Nichols-Sheffler attended the Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism and received her certificate in Medical Herbalism. She owns it Blue yarrow herbs also known as Herbal Vice, an herbal product company that practices bioregional herbal medicine by growing plants and sourcing locally. Lauren loves educating and advocating for plant sustainability. She is the purchasing and sourcing manager for WishGarden Herbs.

For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or to sell any product.

Photo credits to Lauren Herrod

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