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I’ve learned that there is a whole new world of flavourful wild edibles, offering substitutes for anise, vanilla and more. Tasty teas are everywhere and we can also treat lots of ailments with herbal remedies found in the hills around us.
I try not to reach for the medicine cabinet unless absolutely necessary. When I do, it’s usually for Polysporin, Advil, or cough syrup. Knowing what’s in my medicines, making my own, and not always relying on store-bought is a personal goal. Making herbal remedies from the plants that surround us makes me a bit nervous but also excited.
Mullein
Mullein is known to be amazing for lung issues. It is both an expectorant and a demulcent, meaning that it will help to clear mucus and relieve inflammation of mucous membranes. It can be made into a tincture - which simply means soaked in high-proof alcohol, steeped as tea, or smoked. People swear by smoking it, which seems counterintuitive to me. It’s absolutely everywhere here, so I’m bound to give it a try eventually.
Wild Lettuce/Prickly Lettuce
A sedative, pain relieving, anti-inflammatory plant? Sounds like something I might need in the medicine cabinet. I plan to be careful with it, some articles claim that it’s edible while others say that it’s toxic. I’m currently making a small batch of tinctured Prickly Lettuce and I look forward to giving it a cautious try in place of Advil.
Arnica
Not to be used internally, Arnica is another plant that has mixed information about being ingested. It can be used topically to kill pain and reduce bruising so I’m making a salve out of it. The plant has a nice strong scent, and I look forward to trying it for aches and pains.
Elderberry
Immunity-boosting cough syrup! Elderberry is high in vitamin C and antioxidants, making it awesome both to prevent sickness and to take when you are sick. I’m looking forward to replacing cough syrup with elderberry syrup and if I’m feeling some chest congestion - washing it down with some mullein tea.
Sweet Cicely
Last year I waited too long and discovered that the seeds of this plant lose their flavour by the end of summer. Not this year though, I collected the young, licorice-flavoured seeds a month ago and have been soaking them in alcohol. The mixture has developed a very strong licorice scent which I’m looking forward to adding to drinks, baked goods, and who knows what else. What an amazing discovery to find such strong flavours in the wild.
Pineapple weed aka Wild Chamomile
This ‘weed’ likes to grow in heavily tread areas, so you’ve likely seen it in driveways or along footpaths. It has a surprisingly strong pineapple scent, especially in the yellow cone-shaped flowers. It can be used in many ways, including as an effective sleepy-time tea just like chamomile. I’ve dried and set some aside for tea, though I’d love to experiment with it more as a flavouring.
Yarrow
Yarrow smells lovely. The closest description I can give it is something like mint or catnip, though that doesn’t really do it justice. It’s known to be very good for balancing your blood and stopping bleeding. I’ve made a tincture out of some, as well as dried it to make tea which will be my main use for it. I’ve tried cooking with it and simply chewing on it as I pick, and quickly discovered that it is BITTER. Tea and medicine for now, I hope to find a way to cook with it.
Sweet Bedstraw
Who would have thought that I could find a plant in the Canadian mountains that smells like vanilla?! When I discovered this pretty plant crawling under some thimbleberry bushes I was excited to give it a try. Drying it brings out a beautiful sweetgrass and vanilla scent. I used alcohol to extract and carry the flavours, no different than vanilla extract from the store. I’m excited to try this new discovery in baking.
So Many Wild Edibles
The number of edible and medicinal plants on this mountain seems endless and as I learn I’m discovering that there are far more useful plants than I’d ever thought. I already have a huge list of plants to harvest and utilize - I wonder how much more I’ll know in a couple of years.
Thank you for reading this 4 part series! If you haven’t read parts 1-3 check them out!
My Grandmother would be so proud of you. I am so amazed that you’ve come to know so many wonderful plants for healing.
I'm still discovering many of the plants around my place but I certainly swear by Yarrow. I use it to treat wounds in it's dry and powdered form. I dry the flower and leaves, then crush them into a powder. Any cut, sprinkle a bit on and the bleeding coagulates right away. It also helps healing and keeping infection away.
I have a few Mullein plants growing around here, but have not tested them out yet.
Nature offers us so many benefits that we have forgotten over the generations. Time to relearn the old ways! they never let us down.