Making Pokeweed Berry Ink
Pokeweed is easily identifiable once you know what you're looking for. This invasive, poisonous weed can grow up to 10 feet tall and 5 feet wide, with large leaves and showy purple-black berries. If you squish a berry between your fingers, you'll see that the juice is a beautiful magenta color.
We decided to try our hand at making some ink with the juice. If you try this at home, be sure to wear gloves and DO NOT eat the berries - the seeds are poisonous. We collected a couple of buckets full and pressed them using a juice press and a piece of cheesecloth.
We added a little vinegar to help the fermentation process then let it sit for a few weeks before bottling. Such a fun activity to do!
Also in Musings
Revisiting an Ancient Theory of Herbalism
In our own era of mysterious diseases, the supposition that some plants might cure the human organs they most resemble is surfacing once more.
New York Times, Amanda Fortini