How to Dry Honeysuckle Flowers for Tea
Honeysuckle has been used in Asia for thousands of years as a medicinal plant. Both the flowers and the stems contain many beneficial constituents, such as calcium, linoleic acid, magnesium, potassium and zinc. This delicious edible flower has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and is used as a diuretic and to reduce blood pressure. Honeysuckle flowers can also be applied as a skin wash for infections and inflammation. Try drying your own flowers for a tasty and beneficial tea. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Harvest the honeysuckle from the vines early in the morning, before the flowers have opened. Snip off the bottoms of the stems with a sharp pair of kitchen shears. Do not pull or pinch off flowers, as this will cause bruising to the plant and lead it to decompose before it has had a chance to dry.
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Shake the plant to loosen any dirt or bugs, and inspect the flowers carefully. If they are relatively clean, do not rinse them, as that can cause mildew. Dry off any dew and gently knock off any loose dirt with your fingers; blow on the flowers if there is any residue left on them.
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Extract any damaged honeysuckle flowers from the bunch before drying. Remove any leaves that are near the bottom of the stems, as they will interfere with the binding process.
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Gather five to seven flowers by the stems and attach them together with a rubber band. Be sure the rubber band is tight; the stems will shrink as they dry, and you do not want them falling out of the bundle. Be sure the flower end is loose enough to allow for adequate airflow throughout the bundle.
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Move flower bundles to a dry, dark area with adequate airflow and a steady temperature of about 70 degrees Farenheit. Dry flowers for up to three weeks. Flowers are ready when the leaves crumble beneath your fingertips. Store in an airtight glass jar, labeled with the date, for up to one year.
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Tips & Warnings
If your home lacks a darkened area in which to dry the flowers, hang them in small paper bags with holes.
Honeysuckle berries can cause stomach upset; use only the flowers for tea.
