Early Spring Foraging/Wildcrafting
The icy fingers of old man winter have began to lose their grip, days are beginning to show signs of lengthening as the sky stays bright longer into the evening. The frogs have began their evening calls and crickets are coming out of their winter slumber. So why not us?? Why not go out and begin soaking in the Vitamin D provided by the lovely rays of sunlight that are now warming the air more and more each day. Do a little early Forest Bathing, or Earthing while foraging and wildcrafting. Just a little reminder, especially for those of us here in the central and southern states, the bitter cold winter left things a little wonky and slow to show some growth, so be sure to collect in a way that allows plenty for our pollinators to begin their foraging on as they awaken and begin their treks back north. Here are some of your early spring emergent plants and brief descriptions:
Dandelion - Taraxacum officinale rich in various minerals such as silicon, iron, magnesium, potassium, calcium niacin, manganese and zinc with vitamins A, B, C and D. Every part of this beauty is usable. The leaves are great in salads or for pesto, the roots are excellent tinctured or ground and capsuled as liver support, the yellow flower can be made into a salve for a wonderful skin healant or add it to your salad or even use these parts to make a tea, the stem contains a milky sap that can be applied to wounds when out and about without any first aid. I like to collect the upper parts of the plant early on and wait until later for the roots. When using the yellow flowers to create a salve, make sure to allow them to dry for a couple of days on a towel. Oil can become rancid with too much moisture. As the season goes on the power goes down into the roots more than into the tops. When harvesting, I always leave 2 for every 1 I collect. Good stewardship is always a top priority. Plus it allows those Faerie wigs to spread and make more beautiful flowers for our pollinators.
Henbit - Lamium amplexicaule is an underestimated little "weed". I remember calling them rabbit ears as a child. I loved the way the flowers looked like little rabbit ears to me. And I thought they made beautiful bouquets for my loved ones too. Little did I know my childhood love of "pretty" weeds would turn into something even grander. All above-ground parts of henbit – the stems, flowers, and leaves – are edible. They are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Henbit is a great ingredient to add to your diet if you’re trying to lose weight because of the natural fiber they contain. It can help reduce fever, induce sweating, and treat joint aches. Made into a salve or as part of a salve blend for those muscle and joint aches it is a great addition. Drank in a tea form it can help relax any anxious mind. Just an all around great little plant. Again, leave some behind for the pollinators and to spread seed for more, and be sure to give them a really good look because they can be confused with purple dead nettle, which is coming up next.
Purple Dead Nettle - Lamium purpureum aka dead nettle, red dead nettle and purple archangel. It earned its name, dead nettle, because the leaves are similar to stinging nettle. However, because there are no stings on the leaves, it’s considered ‘dead’ and it is a mint not a nettle. It, much like the others, are rich in vitamins and minerals and is edible, though not as tasty. It has great anti-inflammatory properties and you can make it into a poultice for a bug bite. As a salve by itself, it is a great all around helper as it has astringent properties, or blend it in with other great plants for a real kick. It can also be made into a tincture or into an oil (just be sure to dry the plant before making into an oil).
This is usually one of the first plants to come alive in early spring so be very careful when harvesting... you'll notice my theme here... POLLINATORS need these too.
Chickweed - Stellaria media The fresh leaves can be eaten raw in salads, and dried chickweed herb is often infused as chickweed tea, macerated in vinegar, tinctured, or used in skin care creations. It is high in vitamin C and flavanoids. Has been used as an expectorant to loosen up mucus. It also fights inflammation in everything from the respiratory tract to muscle and joints. One of the best things I have found, is it's ability to be soothing to the skin when there is an inflamed rash or bug bites driving you crazy with itchiness. It is most assuredly one of those little plants with a big kick, used for both healing and soothing purposes in reducing inflammation and fighting germs. It may also promote weight maintenance and act as an expectorant when you’re sick. There are some look alikes that aren't so good for you, so be sure to use a field guide or have someone that is well versed in it before gathering.
Wild Violets - Viola sororia, Violaceae (Be sure to only harvest when in bloom, there are poisonous look-alike leaves). It is a good source of fiber, has been said to contain probiotic effects. The leaves are high in Vitamins A and C, and rutin, which is a glycoside of the flavonoid quercetin. Rutin has been shown in animal and in vitro studies to be antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and blood thinning. Leaves and flowers are edible and can be used in salads as well as pesto. Using only the above ground parts is best. It is a lymphatic mover, blood cleanser, respiratory help. It can be used as a tea, salve, poultice, or even just infused into an oil. It can be a little strong in taste, especially the further along in season it gets. And again, always leave some behind for our pollinators, and to ensure the continued growth of these beautiful plants.
Clover (Just in time for St. Patty's day LOL) - White and red clovers are considered to be blood purifiers.
They are both great helps for the liver, and supportive to our digestive system. They are a very rich source of minerals and vitamins. You will notice that many of the early spring emergents are very high in vitamins and minerals. It is like as mother nature awakens, she knows that over the winter slumber our bodies have lacked in these and are needing a boost. Red Clover is said to contain phyto-estrogens to aid in menopausal relief and both are good for hormonal balancing. They can help promote the flow of the lymph system as well as improve the body's immunities. It is said they are helpful in the treatment of skin conditions, and are anti-inflammatory. These great little plants can do a lot with expert precautions. Teas, Tinctures and extracts are the best known uses.
Cottonwood buds - Eastern Cottonwood tree Populous deltoides Cottonwood buds and bark contain salicin which is a compound that likely breaks down into salicylic acid(aspirin)
Cotton wood tree Populus balsamifera s used to make a North American version of balm of Gilead, a fragrant oil with medicinal benefits. The resin of the buds contains salicin– the same compound that gives aspirin its pain relieving and fever reducing benefits. The resin is analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, stimulating and expectorant. Taken internally, in tincture form, one can reduce fever and pain, and loosen mucous. Externally this creates wound healing, joint pain easing and chest clearing (for congestion) when applied to the skin as a balm (salve). The great thing about the cottonwood is that most all types have the same type of constituents so you can't go wrong in collecting from them for your own Balm of Gilead.
Posts are for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Before using any herbs, check for appropriate dosage, drug interactions, and contraindications. Information contained is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prescribe. Please consult your physician with your healthcare needs, as I am only an Herbalist and Natural Health Consultant, I am only here to educate and inform not give out medical advice.
