Common Gorse
Ulex europaeus
Ok so its everywhere – it seems especially at my house!! Gorse is probably one of the most cursed at shrubs in NZ and those dammed settlers that introduced it are not easily excused.
Whilst sitting in one of our paddocks watching the gorse grow the herbalists curiosity in me decided that this frustrating prickly pest must be useful for something??
I hate to scare you but Gorse can live up to 30 years, Gorse seeds can be dormant in the soil for 40 years and still germinate!
GORSE – HANDY FACTS
In older times a decoction was made from gorse flowers which was used for its purging effect, treatments for scarlet fever, jaundice, ailments of the spleen and kidney stones, There are however, herbs which are much more effective to use for those complaints.
Gorse seeds have been soaked, then used as flea- repellant.
Gorse flower buds are reputed to make a fine pickle.
Gorse bark and flowers produce a yellow dye.
Gorse flowers have been used to add extra flavour and colour to beer in Denmark, whisky in Eire, and wine and tea in Britain.
Gorse wine, is said to be a lovely greenish yellow wine which tastes very refreshing.
It is said that sprinkling gorse sprigs on a seed sown row will help deter birds from digging up your seeds.
The very high concentration of oil in it's branches, makes it easy to ignite, and also burn well, it is reputed to give off almost as much heat as charcoal!
Alkali ashes also are very enriching to the soil, so in the past gorse was often burnt down to improve the quality of the land, that also caused new growth which grazing stock could eat. However, burning the oil rich gorse can be a hazard in dry weather as the fires race out of control causing enormous enviromental and financial damage.
Small birds nest in gorse in, they gain gives them protection from mammals, and an escape route from the larger predator birds like the Hawks and Eagles.
Gorse is one of the first plants in flower here, so is an important source of pollen to the early emerging bees.
gorse can act as a nurse-plant sheltering young trees from the brunt of the wind and sea salt.
Coppicing the gorse releases some of the nitrogen making it available to other plants near the roots space.
DELICIOUS GORSE FLOWER CORDIAL
I really didn’t believe that Gorse smells like coconut, but after gathering a bucket of flowers for this recipe I was pleasantly delighted!!
Try making this sweet, delicate cordial that becomes infused with the subtle coconut flavour of Gorse. Best made in spring when the flavour of the gorse flower is the strongest.
Ingredients
- 600ml cold water
- 250g caster sugar
- Zest: 1 orange
- Juice: 1 lemon
- 4 handfuls of gorse flowers
Gather 4 large handfuls of Gorse flowers. Measure out 250g of caster sugar. Measure out 600ml of cold water. Bring the water and sugar mixture to a rapid boil and keep boiling for 10 minutes. Remove pan from the heat. Juice 1 lemon. Grate the zest of 1 orange. Measure 4 handfuls of Gorse flowers. Add the lemon juice, orange zest, and Gorse flowers to the sugar water (syrup). Stir in well and leave until cooled or overnight. Strain the liquid through muslin or a jelly bag into a clean container such as a glass jug. You should end up with roughly 500ml of liquid. Pour into a sterile bottle, cap and store. Refrigerate once you have given into temptation. Enjoy your Gorse flower cordial syrup.
Gorse can give hope and Courage
Gorse as a Bach Flower Remedy helps those who have lost hope, who feel that nothing will ever be better, or that they will never be well again, to have faith in their own inner resources and in a positive outcome.
How to Make Flower Essences
Flower essences are wonderful tools for self-transformation, especially for working on the emotions, which are key to creating a feeling of wellbeing. Making your own essences from the plants around you can give you a range of personalised tools to lift and change your mood.
Flower essences are very safe, they work at a vibrational level, in a similar way to homeopathic remedies. You can take them along with any current medication, even give them to children and pets.
You will need:
A gorse bush
A small, clear glass bowl
Spring water
Filter paper- coffee filter papers are fine- preferably unbleached
A glass jug
Brandy- for preserving the finished essence
A small funnel
A small bottle- preferably with a pipette
Labels & pen
All of the items should be very clean, and the glassware sterilised
2. Choose a nice sunny day with no cloud to make your Gorse flower essences. It’s best to gather the flowers between 9am and 12pm so the flowers are freshly opened.
3. Fill the small glass bowl with spring water and place on the ground in the sun.
4. (this is my favourite bit!)Asking permission from the plant in your mind, and with gratitude, carefully pick enough flowers to cover the surface of the water.
5. Leave the essence for about 3 hours net to the bush to develop in the sun. The sun’s rays help the energy signature of the flower move into the water.
7. Strain the flowers from the water into a jug using filter paper
8. Decant into the bottle, half filling it, adding the same amount again of brandy to preserve your essence.
9. Cap the bottle and write a label, include the date & type of flower. This bottle holds the Mother Essence.
You can dilute this ‘mother’ essence further to make a ‘stock’ bottle:
The stock bottle is the actual essence you use for treatment.
Take another small clean bottle and fill with brandy. Just two or three drops of the mother essence added to the stock bottle will carry the energy signature throughout the contents. So your mother essence will last you an extremely long time.
Take your essence by adding a couple of drops to a glass of water, or add a few drops to a bottle of water to sip throughout your day. It may be helpful to keep a diary to note any emotions or changes that occur. This will help you work out what your essence does. You can make up a bottle for a friend to use too and compare notes.
Made with care and kept in a cool place it will store indefinitely.