Here are guidelines for the collection of wild herbs. Once we identify a plant
correctly we must know which part of the herb is useful. The leaves, flowers, the
seeds or the root. With planting the leaves are the most useful. Here are some
handy hints on the plant survival. Never collect the first plant that you find.
Look around to see if there's a large stand. With a large stand collect only
one-third. If only a few plants are growing leave them to regenerate. If you
are collecting seeds scatter some. Never strip the plant completely. When you are
collecting the root fill in any holes to prevent erosion.
Collecting bark. Always collect bark from the sunny side only. Never strip bark
from the whole trunk or you will ring bark the tree and kill it. Always take
the bark from the limbs and branches not the main trunk. Do not collect from busy
roadsides. To be free of lead and cadmium culinary and medicinal herbs should be
collected 10 miles from the nearest motorway. This is burdock. Burdock is
considered to be a noxious weed but its root is an effective remedy for acne
eczema and skin problems. The root is gathered when the plant is two years old
and simmered in water to extract its medicinal properties. It can be also used
to treat cystitis and kidney disorders.
Calendula is the common marigold with a sticky leaf and orange or yellow flower.
The flower helps wounds to heal and acts as a mild antiseptic. 30 grams of the
flour soaked in 500 milliliters of apple cider vinegar or vodka for two weeks
makes an effective antiseptic wash for cuts or grazes. Never use calendula when
infection is already present. It encourages such speedy healing on the
surface. It can drive an infection inward.
Chickweed. The fresh young tips are delicious in salads or steam the whole
herb adding lemon juice and butter. The body requires copper to absorb iron.
Chickweed is rich in copper and iron. Chickweed is also rich in potassium and
vitamin C. A cleanser and a tonic it is effective for blood disorders like
anemia, skin problems like boils and acne, coughs, constipation and kidney
problems. You can identify chickweed by the small white flowers and the hairs on
the chickweed stem which change direction at each leaf node. You can
confuse chickweed with scarlet pimpenel if scarlet pimpenel is not flowering.
Notice the square stem. There are no hairs on the scarlet pimpenel stem.
Chickweed can also be confused with speedwell if it is not flowering. If you
look closely speedwell has a hairy leaf while chickweed has much smoother leaves.
Common century is an extremely bitter wild herb but it's an excellent liver
and kidney tonic. It helps to stimulate the appetite but is too bitter as a
vegetable. The whole herb is best taken as a tea with an aromatic herb such as
peppermint to disguise the flavor. The tea can also be used to bathe red
irritated eyes.
Cumphrey. Cumphrey also known as knit bone is able to heal broken bones and
can be used internally and as a poultice externally. It heals ulcers, wounds,
grazes and sprains. Only the young hairless leaves should be eaten and in
moderation until the controversial research showing the possibility of it
causing liver cancer is cleared up.
Clevers. Clevers is a common sticky rambling little weed. It is high in
calcium and silicon. The whole plant is used as a diuretic which stimulates
urine flow. It's also used as a blood cleanser and a tonic. An infusion of
clevers is useful for clogged lymphatics, insomnia and will help reduce weight. The
young tips are pleasant in salads. Clevers often sticks to you as you walk
by. Cranesbill. Cranesbill or the cut leaf geranium should be collected before
the plant seeds. The roots and leaves are used for their styptic astringent and
tonic properties. A styptic is a powerful astringent which will stop bleeding both
internally and externally. Astringent herbs help to stop diarrhea, refine
enlarged pores and halt excessive sweating. The Maori ate the Cranesbill
roots and the Australian Aboriginal also roasted the root which is known as the
native carrot. The dandelion. The dandelion is a storehouse of vitamins and
minerals. The dandelion leaves are rich in calcium, iron, copper, silicon, magnesium,
sodium and extremely rich in potassium. They are high in vitamins A, B1, B2 and
C. Like all culinary herbs, pick the young leaves before flowering as they become
very bitter after flowering. Eat the young leaves in salads or steam them. The
dandelion has hairless leaves and a single hairless stemmed yellow flower.
The dandelion root is dug in late autumn or early spring. Dried and roasted to
make excellent coffee, it stimulates and tones the kidneys and liver, stomach,
spleen and pancreas and acts as a diuretic and a tonic. A course of dandelion
treatment in spring will tone up your whole body, cleansing it of winter's
wastes. The dandelion can be confused with a hawk bit. Hawk bit does not have a
single stem like the dandelion. Hawk bit has multiple flower heads unlike the
single flower head of the dandelion and unlike the dandelion, hawk bit has hairy
leaves and hairs on the stems. The docks. Both the broadleaf dock and the yellow
dock can be used in salads or steamed but the broadleaf dock is more bitter.
Yellow dock is considered by herbalists to be the most medicinally effective.
The yellow referring to the root. High in vitamins A, B2 and C, the docks also
contain a balance of potassium, calcium, chlorine and iron. The docks are
especially high in sulfur making them effective blood cleansers. Organic yellow
sulfur in the dock roots cleanses the body of toxins. The roots also act as a
laxative. The seeds are astringent and useful for diarrhea. Docks are often
found growing near stinging nettle. The leaves are a useful antidote to the
nettle sting. Chew them to release the juice and rub them on the sting.
Faten is also known as lamb's quarter. The seeds, similar to buckwheat in flavor,
were once harvested for grain and can be sprouted and eaten raw in salads. The
leaves can be eaten raw, steamed or made into soup. Faten contains more calcium
and iron and protein than raw cabbage or spinach. It contains more vitamins B1
and B2 than cabbage and it also contains phosphorus, vitamin A and C. This
feathery plant is fennel. All parts of fennel can be eaten, particularly the
leaf, stem and seeds. The Chinese use the leaves with fish dishes. Wild fennel seeds
have more flavor than the cultivated variety. Nibbling fennel seeds between
meals can curb hunger, reduce appetite and aid digestion of carbohydrates. The
seeds contain sulfur, potassium, calcium, iron, sodium and vitamins A and C. Fennel
tea is carminative, so it's excellent for wind and indigestion. It stimulates milk
production and a tea from the seeds is effective for colic in babies. Foxglove.
Foxglove is a noxious weed and a very potent toxic herb and must not be used
by home herbalists. It doesn't form its tall erect flower until the second year.
Foxglove leaves contain the drug Digitalin, used to regulate and strengthen
heartbeat. In its first year of growth it forms a rosette of leaves which can be
confused with comfrey, borage or mullin. Foxglove leaves are soft and velvety to
touch while borage or comfrey leaves feel rough and hairy. Mullin has much
smoother vein leaves. Fumatory. Fumatory is a small soft rambling weed. Fumatory
is a remedy for all liver conditions. The whole herb is used including the
flowers. It can be eaten raw in salads or made into a tea. An excellent blood
cleanser, fumatory also helps those with the tendency to oversleep. Gorse. Gorse
seeds are restringent and the flowers have been used to treat jaundice by
making a tea or infusion. The flowers also make a pleasant wine and a
beautiful yellow dye. The leaf buds can also be used to make tea. Grounsil.
Grounsil is a common weed throughout New Zealand and Australia. It's a favorite
food of black caterpillars and caged birds. It helps get rid of excess fluid
in the body. It's also excellent for reducing fevers and as an effective
anthelmintic. Anthelmintic herbs destroy worms and parasites in the body. Common
grounsil contains vitamin C and an infusion used as a wash is an old-fashioned
remedy for chapped hands. It may be confused with hawkbit. Common grounsil's
leaves come alternately off the stem whereas hawkbit grows from a central
crown on the ground. The hawthorn tree. The young hawthorn leaves are high in
vitamin C and can be eaten in salads. The flowers and berries are restringent
and a decoction is effective for sore throats. The berries contain vitamins B-17,
C and A and properties which reduce fatty deposits in the arteries and valves
of the heart. Hawthorn berries act as a heart tonic. Hawhound. Hawhound is high in
vitamin C and sodium. The bitter leaves are useful for colds, flu and chesty cough.
Chewing 8 to 10 leaves twice a day gives your daily requirement of vitamin C.
Hawhound candy is a pleasant way to take this herb. Hawhound leaves contain an
antibiotic principle which is effective for chest infections. This is inkweed or
poke root. Inkweed root is used for chronic rheumatism and swollen glands,
particularly mumps and glandular fever. The root and leaves can be used
externally in ointments for skin diseases, intinnia, acne, swollen painful
breasts and abscesses. The recipe for the tincture is as follows. One part root in
ten parts of 45% alcohol such as vodka. Leave it to soak for two weeks in a warm
place shaking twice a day. Strain it through muslin. The dose is 0.2 to 0.6
millilitres three to four times daily. Take care. Inkweed is toxic. It is vital
not to exceed this dose. Lemon balm. Lemon balm is good for relaxing and a
tea will cause mild perspiration making it a cooling drink for anyone suffering
from colds or flu. It can be eaten raw in salads adding a mild lemony flavor.
Mullen. Mullen grows long and tall near beaches in fields and looks like
foxglove except it has yellow petaled flowers. The flowers are part of the herb
we use. A mullen infusion of flowers is a remedy for asthma bronchitis and lung
congestion. It is mildly sedative and mullen oil is excellent for earache.
Mullen contains iron, magnesium, potassium and sulfur. When collecting and drying
mullen flowers handle with care and store them in a dark glass jar. Mullen
flowers turn black if bruised and lose their medicinal value if exposed to
light. Nasturtium. Nasturtium leaves and flowers are delectable in salads or
sandwiches and are similar to cress. Nasturtium seeds can be pickled in vinegar
and taste like capers. The leaves of Nasturtium are high in vitamin C,
manganese and sulfur compounds which have an antibiotic action. To extract the
antibiotic compound the whole plant should be chopped finely and soaked in
warm water for 10 minutes. Pennyroyal. Pennyroyal has little blue flowers and
is found growing in damp shady places. Pennyroyal should be gathered just as it
comes into flower. A pennyroyal infusion of flowers and leaves is an effective
diaphoretic. Diaphoretic herbs stimulate sweating and reduce fevers. Pennyroyal
tea soothes cross and irritable children with measles or chickenpox. Pennyroyal
oil is a mild tranquilizer and is effective for menstrual cramping in late
periods. However it is extremely potent and should never be used by pregnant
women. The pennyroyal oil or fresh leaves rubbed on the skin keep the mosquitoes
from biting.
Periwinkle. Periwinkle grows in shaded groves having clear blue flowers. We use
the root and leaves. The astringent leaves, poulticed on wounds, will speed
up healing. A decoction of leaves treats cradle cap on top of baby's head. The
root has a hypotensive action used to treat low blood pressure. It is also an
antispasmodic. Antispasmodic herbs are effective for pains and cramps. The
periwinkle root contains two alkaloids effective for treating skin cancer and
leukemia. Plantain. There are two main varieties. Plantain lanculate seen here
and plantain major. The whole of plantain can be used seeds, leaves and root.
Plantain cleanses the bloodstream and acts as a mild tonic. The leaves can be
eaten raw or steamed as a vegetable. Plantain leaves, nature's band-aid, make a
healing poultice for infected wounds and will take away the sting and itch from
insect bites. Plantain leaves contain sulfur, potassium, calcium, cobalt, copper,
iron, silica, vitamins A, C and B2. The seeds, especially of a variety called
plantago cilium, contain a sticky gel which is released when soaked in cold
water. It's an excellent remedy for constipation. The roots, dried and powdered,
relieve toothache when applied directly.
Red clover. Red clover, not white clover, is medicinally useful because it's
extremely rich in iron and copper and is a useful blood cleanser and
antispasmodic. A red clover decoction is recommended for bronchitis, whooping cough
and any disease with circulation problems. To extract the minerals the
flowers should be simmered in a covered pot for 10 to 20 minutes. This plant is
salsify. The flower, which appears in its second year, is followed by a beautiful
gossamer-like seed head. Salsify root, which has an oyster-like flavor, is very
rich in calcium, iron, copper and phosphorus. The roots can be boiled in water with a
little lemon juice to prevent them going black. Once cooked it could be mashed or
made into fritters and it's lovely served with parsley and garlic. The leaves, high
in iron, can be eaten raw or steamed, tasting best before the plant flowers.
Scarlet pimpanelle. Scarlet pimpanelle can easily be recognized by its little
red or blue flowers. The whole herb can be used fresh and dried, although it is
rather bitter tasting. It has diuretic, diaphoretic and expectorant properties, so
it's useful for fevers and coughs. Prepared as a tea, it's a tonic for the
kidneys and will help rid the body of excess fluid.
Self-heal. Self-heal is true to its name. The whole herb is useful. Self-heal
cleanses the liver, relieves swelling and water retention in the tissues. It has
cooling properties and astringent and stiptic actions, making a great
application for wounds. If the bruised leaves are placed directly onto the
wounds, it will stop bleeding, stimulate healing and reduce the risk of infection.
Speedwell.
If you want to get well with speed, use speedwell whenever you have coughs,
catar or skin diseases. Speedwell will tone tissues, reduce fevers, cleanse the
blood, stimulate urine flow and tone the liver and the kidneys. Trimmed of
prickles, the thistles leaves, stems and roots can be stewed or steamed. For a
spring tonic, use very young thistle leaves in salads. High in potassium, it
has demulcent properties. Demulcent herbs contain a sticky gel, protecting mucous
membranes from invading irritants. This plant is valerian. The root is dug when
the plant is two years old. The root, prepared as a tea or tincture, is a
valuable remedy for insomnia, stress and pain. The root is a sedative, mild
tranquilizer and anti-spasmodic. It is effective for headaches and migraines.
It's non-addictive and has no side effects if the correct dose is given.
Vervain. Vervain is a widespread perennial herb useful for lowering
fevers, treating liver complaints, rheumatism and kidney troubles.
Historically, the druids considered it a magical herb. The whole plant is
recommended as a tea for that down-in-the-dumps feeling. Vipers
bugloss. Vipers bugloss can have either pink or blue flowers. An infusion of
leaves, especially those growing near the roots, relieves headaches, fevers and
nervous complaints. Watercress. The iron tonic. Watercress is good for anemia.
Watercress is very high in iron, sulphur and contains calcium, phosphorus,
potassium, sodium, vitamins A, B, C, D, E, B2 and B3. It's very alkaline and pleasant
in salads and sandwiches. Wild carrot. Wild carrot is often mistaken for hemlock,
which is deadly poisonous even when dried. Wild carrot has a furrowed hairy stem
and leaves which smell distinctly of carrot. Hemlock has a smooth, hollow,
flecked purple stem and the crushed leaves have a strong unpleasant odor.
Wild carrot seeds are used for seasoning. The seeds are effective for flatulence,
windicolic and hiccup. The fleshy roots can be made into soups and carrot tea
taken two times a day made from the whole herb is effective for gout and
rheumatism. Yarrow. Yarrow looks like wild carrot and hemlock. You can tell the
difference by looking closely at the shape of the leaf, stem and flower.
Yarrow stems are round, faintly ridged and slightly furry. Yarrow contains
magnesium, copper, potassium and phosphorus. A few yarrow leaves make a
pleasant addition to salads. It's bitter but cooling. Yarrow tea made from the
leaf and flower with a little peppermint to improve the flavor is an effective
diaphoretic for promoting sweating so it's useful for fevers. The leaves stop
bleeding if applied directly to wounds. Yarrow tea taken two to three times a
day treats diarrhea and benefits the liver. Willow bark. The bark of the willow
is medicinal. Strip the bark from the young branches as they are more potent.
This will cause less damage to the trees or gather fallen branches after a storm.
Willow bark known as nature's aspirin is useful for headaches, fevers, hay fever,
bladder irritation and diarrhea. Willow bark contains a substance called salicylic
acid which aspirin was originally derived from. Willow bark boiled with
water can be used to bathe eczema, ulcerations and infected wounds.