Wildcrafting and Foraging – How to safely identify, harvest and use wild plants for food and medicine. Featuring the Weekly Weeder series, plus special attention to some of our favorite wild plants – plantain, dandelions, and elderberries.
Jewelweed, Impatiens capensis, is a native North American plant with a history of medicinal use. From treating poison ivy rash to insects bites, jewelweed knowledge is a must-have for outdoor enthusiasts and herbalists. We’ll share how to identify this lovely native species, as well as how to use it.
Today’s featured plant is Shepherd’s Purse, Capsella bursa-pastoris. This non-descript plant is both gourmet green and powerful medicine. Samuel Thayer calls it the “most underrated wild edible” and praises the leaves and roots. The book “Backyard Medicine” hails it for stopping bleeding and reducing inflammation.
Common blue violets (Viola sororia) are perennial wildflowers native to North America. These bright little plants are also useful for food and medicine.
Adding immune boosting herbs and spices to the menu is a great way to support immune function and overall health. We’ll share our top choices to use as herbal medicines and in cooking, plus some of my favorites to grow in the garden. Improving gut health is a great way to build a strong immune…
Pinecone soda uses the natural yeast on unripe pinecones and sugar water to create a naturally fermented soda. We’ll share the recipe and tips for ingredients.