DIY Botanical Egg Dye

Are you feeling the excitement of this Seasonal change? Springtime brings us renewed energy and new projects to do! It's no coincidence that our most beloved spring project utilizes eggs because eggs symbolize new life and we are celebrating the season in which vegetation begins to appear.

We include our plant friends in all seasonal rituals here at WishGarden. Botanicals are great alternatives to harmful dyes, and we want to share our Do It Yourself egg dying recipe with you! We purchased everything from our local health food store.

What you need

1. 24 boiled white eggs
2. 1 cup Lavender flower to 3-4 cups water
3. 1 cup elderberries to 2 cups water
4. 3 red onions (just using the skins) to 1 ½ cups water
5. 3 yellow onions (just using skins) to 2 cups water
6. 2 beets and an inch of top stems to 2 cups water
7. ¼ cup of powdered turmeric 2 cups water
8. ¼ cup paprika to 2 cups water
9. 1 cup of red cabbage to 2 cups of water
10. 8-10 mason jars or clear cups that hold 10 cups of fluid each
11. White vinegar
12. Small Saucepan with cover
13. Cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer

Instructions

1. Set out the jars you will be placing eggs and dye in
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 cover on pot
4. Strain the plant material into a large measuring cup with a fine mesh strainer - BE CAREFUL, IT'S HOT!
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 with each botanical and pour each into a jar with vinegar
6. After dye cools a bit, place eggs into their dying jar
7. Top off the jars with white vinegar and put lid on or cover each jar
8. Store in the refrigerator for 3 days if darker colors desired, 1-2 days if pastel colors desired
9. Share your egg-dying rituals and tag us @Wishgardenherbs on Facebook, Instagram, and/or LinkedIn!

Lauren Ann Nichols-Sheffler is a certified medical herbalist from the Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism. She advocates for bioregional herbalism, co-stewards the Denver Herb Club, teaches at CSCH, and hosts community events at her United Plant Savers Botanical Sanctuary. As Senior Sourcing & Purchasing Manager at WishGarden Herbs, Lauren brings her passion for sustainability and plant education into every aspect of her work.

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 sell any product.

Photo credit to Lauren Herrod