Gorse

[Graye]

Wandering around on the Cleveland Way a couple of days ago we were amazed at the wonderful coconut smell from the gorse bushes. We are all set to pick some for wine but I wonder if there are any recipes for making creams or lotions? Somehow it smells as if it would be perfect for this.

[Green Aura]

It is said that sprinkling gorse sprigs and holly leaves in a seed row will help deter small creatures such as voles and mice from digging up your seeds.

Gorse has long been harvested as a fuel. 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!

When harvested for fuel gorse is usually cut down to ground level, as a three year rotation.

The alkali rich ashes produced from burning gorse have been for soap-making in solution as lye which was mixed with animal fat.

Can't see any other uses apart from wine and feeding your goats!

[greenfingers]

you could attempt to make a tincture (as in rose water)
mite make a nice perfume if you can pull it off

[Silver Ether]

flowers make a nice tea...

[jim]

My Lady, who comes from Cornwall, often tells me "When the gorse be in flower, then 'tis time to kiss thy sweetheart!" As gorse flowers all year round ...... well I can't think of a better use for it. (Her accent is usually Radio 4 BBC received pronounciation until we cross the Tamar heading west, then I can't understand a word she says.)

Love and Peace
Jim

[Graye]

I've got a Culpepper but it's in France at the moment - I bet there is something in there though. We're going back in a couple of weeks and there is plenty of gorse in the Dordogne so I'll check it out then

I've heard about tea from the flowers, that must be worth a try too.

I've had a closer look online and discovered it's often called Whin and that it is sometimes used as an ingredient in homeopathic things. I'll do some more research and if I find anything else I'll report back. It seems a pity to waste that gorgeous coconut scent!