~*~ We Like It Wild!

Lamb's Quarters are related to our common spinach and beets. It is a excellent source of iron and potassium.


~ What a wonderful way to reconnect our selves to the land.
Eating wild foods acclimates us to our environment...


~*~ Wildcrafting...

~ Avoid collecting plants within 50 feet of a busy road , in areas that are sprayed with herbicides or pesticides , or in areas known to be polluted or contaminated.Ask permission before gathering on private land.

~ Any known endangered species must be left alone; do not harvest it from the wild.
With any species, identify the grandfather/mother plant in a stand of plants-its usually the largest or the first to flower-and leave it to ensure the continuation of the strongest of the species.
Never take more than 10% of what's there.Vary the places you collect from.

~Collect plants in a way to ensure the continued survival of the species.If all you need are the leaves and flowers, take only the tops from the plants;cutting back plants back plants in this manner can actually help promote new growth.

You might also thin plants growing together, as you would thin plants in your garden, to give the other plants more room.

***Please Remember***

If you're collecting roots, which will destroy the plants, plant ripe seeds in the hole you've dug and fill the holes with soil.

~If possible, Spray or water plants the day before you harvest them to clean any extra dirt or debris off the.
Gather leaves and flowers in the morning, after the dew has risen and before the sun is to hot.

~The part of the plant you want to harvest usually determines the time of the year when you should collect it:


Collecting Tips

* Leaves are best taken just as the plant begins to flower , when its energy is still in the leaves.

*Flowers are best taken when they are just starting to open.

*Fruit(such as rose hips) is best when it is fully ripe and dry.

*Bark is best collected in the spring or fall.If taken after a spell of damp weather,bark will separate more easily.Never girdle(remove the bark from all the way around)a tree , as this will impair the sap's ability to rise.

*Roots generally are ideal in the fall, after the plant has completed its cycle and the life force of the plant goes back into the roots and inner bark.
Biennial or perennial roots can also be collected in the spring of the second year.There are exceptions, of course.
Echinacea is harvested only after three years and ginseng after seven years. Scrub roots well after collecting them.

*Gums and resins are best collected in hot , dry wather.

~Leaves and flowers are usually collected during the time of the full moon.Roots are said to be best when collected during the time of the new moon.

~Resources
Info:The Desktop Guide to Herbal Medicine
Brigitte Mars,A.H.G.

www.brigittemars.com

She has wonderful books and is an inspiration... j~

~Books
*Edible Wild Plants... A North American Field Guide
*Wild Foods Field Guide & Cook Book
Billy joe Tatum
*Guide To Wild Foods
Christopher Nyerges
*Planetary Herbology
Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D.
*Alive and Well Wild Foods - A Raw Food Survival Guide
Peter Ragnar

www.wildmanstevebrill.com
Great Site...

~Urban foraging...

Another fun way to collect food ~ There are fruit trees of all kinds that no one harvests from any more & Most people are more than happy to let you fill your bag , offer to pick some for them as well...


Aloe & Nettle
Nettle is rich in Vitamins A and C and is an exceptionally rich source of protein. This is an Herb that improves just about everything!

Prickly Pear & Fruit
So Yummy...

Malva
High in Vitamin C.

~ Prickly Pear < fruit > Juice ~

* Harvest six or more fruits, Twisting them of the pads... I rinse them scrubbing off the small hair like spines. I then cut of the ends, setting it vertical cutting a peace of skin off from top to bottom. Then holding the skin down I roll the fruit out...

* After this is done I place the fruit into the vitamix add 2 cups of water or more blend, Then into a nut milk bag and strain...

* What is left is a wonderful wild juice... Enjoy!

~Purslane
Purslane contains protein, carbohydrates, Vitamins A & C as well as calcium.

~Sow Thistle

~Dandelion
Dandelion contains Vitamins A & C as well as calcium, sodium, and potassium.

~Wild Buckwheat, commonly used by bees to collect pollen(third most after white and black sage)

~White Sage

~Black Sage

~Native American Grinding Rock, Full of Mortar Holes used for wild foods Prep...

~Nasturtium
This plant is a rich source of Vitamin C
Every part of the plant that grows above ground can be eaten.
Stems are sweet, leaves & flowers are hot & peppery.

~Amaranth
The leaves & tender stems are wonderful in salads.
The leaves of this plant are a recognized astringent.

~Fennel
In spring, the entire young tender base of the newly-emerging flower stalks can be eaten(the section between the root and the leafy ferny tops)
Fennel has been found to contain calcium, phosphorus & potassium as well as Vitamins C & A

~Mullein
The leaf can be used in tea, stimulates & cleanses the lunges & lymphs, liquefy phlegm, relaxes the bronchioles, resolves swelling, relaxes spasms, and deters infection. The leaf can be used as a healing compress in cases of acne, boils, bruises, earache, eczema, ect...

~Wild Mint & Horsetail
Horsetail is high in silica helping in to repair bones, cartilage, & connective tissues. It also helps to clear heat, dry dampness, & clear toxins. Young outer stems can be peeled & the inner pulp eaten as well as the young heads. The roots are tuberous & can be eaten raw in the early spring they contain a nourishing starch. My favorite way to use this plant is to add it to tea. ~Mint
relaxes the peripheral blood vessels, calms smooth muscle spasms, dries dampness, expels phlegm, & clears the head. Full of beta-carotene, B-complex vitamins, vitamin C, & potassium.