I strongly believe our Creator has freely given us — in nature — the means by which to care for our most basic needs.
Although in this life we will battle with a variety of ailments, in many cases the Earth produces a remedy.
Wildcrafting — What is it?
Harvesting plants in the wild, as defined by Philip Fritchey in his book Practical Herbalism, is “the process of gathering native herbs growing in their natural environment.” I think plants that have been allowed to grow in their natural surroundings are far more powerful to heal than anything we could nuture.
Many of us — okay, so I’m really only speaking for myself here — are fearful of harvesting in the wild simply because we have lost touch with nature in general. We I fear that I wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between Poison Ivy and Jewelweed (okay it’s not that bad…but you get the idea). Or worse yet, that I’d harvest and tincture something deadly!
I think we all understand the need to properly identify and use plants.
But our fear should not paralyze us and leave us dependent…it should spur us on to greater knowledge!
The best resources that are available for wild herb and plant identification include:
1. Your local county extension office. Most of them will offer a variety of beautiful images to help you grow in your ability to identify various plants and medicinal weeds. Some even have field guides and handouts that you could take with you on an herb walk.
2. At times, a Master Gardener’s clubs will be attatched to your county extension office. These are organizations run by plant enthusiasts that are super happy to help you learn to identify the medicinal plants that grow in your area.
3. Books written on wild foraging that are appropriate for your area, such as:
- A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs: Of Eastern and Central North America (Peterson Field Guides)
- A Field Guide to Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs
- Backyard Medicine: Harvest and Make Your Own Herbal Remedies
- The North American Guide to Common Poisonous Plants and Mushrooms
4. Ask somebody. The best way to learn to identify plants is to ask someone. If you’re blessed enough to have an older relative still living, one who knows about basic medicinal plants in your local area…ask them to show you before they are gone and that wisdom is lost. Take pictures and write it all down.
Do it ethically.
In nursing we have a guideline called the 5 Rights that helps to prevent injury to patients due to a medication error. This is how my trained mind works, therefore I apply the same sort of guidelines when harvesting in the wild:
Right Plant
Be sure you have the right plant before you pick it and for reference take your field guide with you when harvesting. And always remember, never harvest an endangered plant. Instead, look something else with the same properties…it’s out there.
Right Location
Avoid harvesting plants that grow along busy highways, railroad tracks, or any other high traffic area. It’s just not good practice and you never know what those poor plants have been exposed to. On the other hand, when going into the Forest or field, take care to leave only footprints. Leave the area better than how you found it by picking up any trash that was carelessly left by others, restoring ground cover to the plants, and leaving a minimal impact of your own. Lastly, be sure if permission is needed to be on someone’s property, get it. Maybe offer them a portion of your bounty as a thank you 🙂
Right Time
Remember the rhythm of all life. Learn when to harvest (we talk more about this in the next post) and when to leave alone so that the plant might reseed.
Right Amount
Resist the temptation to harvest more than you need or can use. Remember, even dried herbs only hold their potency for up to a year. We always need less than we think we need. I am amazed year after year just how much my little herb garden produces! So don’t get greedy and be sure to never clear an entire area. Always leave at least 70% of the native plants intact.
Right Documentation
When harvesting, it would be wise to carry labels, a notebook (or your herbal journal), and a pen. Label the plant material immediately and make notes in your journal describing the area in which you found each plant so that you can locate them in the future.
Wildcrafting can be as simple as going out into the backyard and gathering plantain or comfrey or dandelions. It can also mean heading out into the virtually untouched wilderness. But for most of our basic home-based healthcare needs…what we need is more than likely just outside the door!
I challenge you, the next time you go outside, to the park, or drive into town don’t feel like you have to start harvesting now…but open your eyes to see all that is around you in a different light. You’ll be amazed!
Please share with us your experiences in wildcrafting! What medicinal weeds have you found near your home?
Creating a Kitchen Pharmacy: The Benefits of Good Water
A woman at a farm near me is giving classes on foraging. She is a botanist, native plant expert and has lived with Native Americans. The classes are in the woods — walking, seeing, touching, tasting. I’m very excited to be learning from her what plants are what and how to use them. She also recommends Peterson’s. Thank you for sharing this series and other “homemade” knowledge. I continue to look forward to reading more on you site as well. Thank you!
What a rich resource! Yes…learn all that you can from her, make a journal and write it all down 🙂
I am just getting into it this year. I made your dandelion pasta recipe and it was absolutely delicious! We have all kinds of awesome plants growing here – elderberry, wild roses, stinging nettles, jewel weed, wild blackberries, chickweed, purslane, lambsquarters, thistle, chamomile…the list goes on! I am so excited about learning to use God’s awesome creation!
Ali! Your area is a herbal gold mine! Wow! You are so blessed to have all of that goodness growing around you! btw…I’m glad you like the recipe. It is really, really good 🙂
It is so awesome! And its all here on our farm! We have just under 20 acres and it is mostly farm fields. But we do have a creek running through and a few trees. I have always disliked the fact that we do not have any wooded areas here, but we are slowly working to plant trees. I was so excited when I found elderberry last year and then it just kind of snowballed. I started researching the uses of plants, etc, found your blog and just entered a whole new world of information that is just amazing. Next year we plan to stop farming one of our small (3 acre or so) fields and let it naturalize. I am trying to talk hubby into either growing hay (we have horses) or finding someone to organically farm the rest of our land. There is an organic farm up the road from us, so I am hoping they can help! Keep up the wonderful work you are doing, you are such an inspiration!
I have been hunting down wild horseradish and horsetail for several years. I have been told they grow in our area. The hunt is always fun though. I have found other items while searching. I am so happy to have found you…sometimes it’s nice to see I’m not alone with the life I lead. 🙂
You’re definitely not alone Melinda! Wild horseradish and horsetail sound awesome! I wish you luck in your continued search 🙂
So far, in my own yard, I’ve found dandelions, plantain, chickweed, nettles, motherwort, cleavers, jewelweed, dock… and I’ve got several more things on my To-Be-Identified list that look like they might be important.
I’m reminded of a prayer by George Washington Carver where he asks the Lord, “Mr. Creator, why did you make the peanut?”
I recently said a similar prayer in which I asked the Lord if He thinks I should start a medicine garden. Then I found this website about a week ago. There is plantain growing all over our 15 acres, but those I’ve found are no larger than about 4″ across. While digging out Rose of Sharon starts for a friend, I found a plantain in my garden with spotless leaves and each leaf is about 8″ long. I think I got my answer. Ask and you shall receive. 🙂
What a wonderful reminder to get in gear and start foraging for all of God’s healing plants and herbs!! Here in my part of Idaho is rich with wild medicine.We have an abundance of one of my new favorite;wild rose,as well as elderberries,St.John’s Wort,mullein,dandelion,burdock,chicory,just to name a few.We also have a variety of wild mushrooms that are delicious!Have fun and be careful-remember Alexander Supetramp and his deadly mistake when you are unsure on a plant id.
I am disappointed that my library didn’t have any foraging books so I will have to find them online! I did find a few other herbalism books but i’m like you were…nervous to poisen my little family! Thankfully I live close to our extension office and they agreed to come out and help me identify what we have in our yard! Thank you for a WONDERFUL blog. I am excited to read each new post and apply it!!
Ashley~
Your library may not have foraging or identification books so ask if they participate in the Inter-library loan program. If they do, you can order books (free!) through this resource and will recieve books from other libraries in your state or around the country. I live in Ohio and have had books come in from around my state and as far away as Kansas and once even from Alaska!
Because funds are scarce with many libraries right now, they may be only doing this county-wide or state-wide, but many metropolitan areas have a great resource of books and you may be able to find the books you are wanting through the inter-library loan program. All you have to do is ask and fill out some paperwork.
Good luck! 🙂
Many blessings~
Lori
I usually wildcraft dandelion and plantain but this year I am going to hunt for some fresh St. Johns Wart for salves and oils and maybe some fresh chamomile.
I live in Northern Illinois and I am having a hard time finding naturally grown herbs/weeds to use medicinally…aside from the constantly occurring dandelions! I tried looking up what grows wildly here but all I could find was a lot of weed flowers not meant to be eaten. I have a bazillion weeds in my yard but could only identify a few of them and they don’t seem to be useful. Any ideas as to what grows here that is good to use or where I can search to find out?
I so enjoy your informative & interesting website..Am a 71 y/o nurse going a different route..Not only helping my family but my hearts desire is to help as many people as possible in this life..I actually have a home in 2 states so I travel between SC & NC…Interesting how my gardens are a little different in each state..I want to learn as much as possible about HERBS..Again,TYVM
I am so inspired by people like you who have a “hearts desire to help as many people as possible.” I too have been drawn to herbs. And through them I have been able to guide people toward the natural way of healing. I have been studying at the School of Natural Healing started by Dr. John Christopher. I have learned so much and I have never been this passionate about anything before. I feel such an urgency about it. Its always nice to meet others along this journey. Also, I am thankful for sites like these, that help and share knowledge gained along the way.
http://www.survivalplantsmemorycourse.com/
Has an excellent learning program for free. He covers some herbs,too.
I did not read all those comments words for word but in my briefing did not see where it says TO ASK MOTHER EARTH FOR WHAT YOU FOREAGE!!! We must Thank the EARTH for these gifts!!!!!!!
I guess you didn’t notice the references to “God” , in reading. Believing that the Earth is our “Mother” is called Pantheism. No one who follows the God of all creation would consider thanking anyone/anything other than God for the wonderful herb/plants that He has provided.
What plant is shown in the pictures here? The one with the person’s hand in the frame?
Looks like St. John’s Wort, to me. Double check with a photo.