Foraging and Wildcrafting Herbal Medicine
A Guide to Foraging and Wildcrafting Herbal Remedies
Hello Emporium!
Today we are going to talk about a highly requested topic, and since we cannot cover the entire topic, we will give an overview of wildcrafting/foraging for each of the regions of the United States and which plants are commonly found and field guides you can purchase for better learning plant identification since most of that learning takes place on the field.
It is important to note if you are not 100% sure a plant is what you think it is, take a picture and keep a log to better train your eye to find plants and compare with experienced foragers.
The information offered in this publication is for educational purposes only and by reading you agree that I am not offering any advice or making any claims this is true. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Links to external sites are for informational purposes only. Readers must do their own research concerning the safety and usage of any herbs or supplements.
Intro to foraging and wildcrafting:
Foraging and wildcrafting are traditional practices that involve collecting plants, herbs, mushrooms, and other natural materials from the wild for use in food, medicine, crafts, and various other applications.
Foraging is the act of searching for and harvesting wild plants and mushrooms as food. Wildcrafting, on the other hand, refers to the broader practice of collecting various natural materials such as plants, bark, and fungi from the wild for a range of purposes, not limited to food but also medicine, crafts, natural building, rituals, and more.
Learning how to identify and harvest the plentiful plants available is a method to acquire food and medicine from what can be described as nature's "wilderness pharmacy."
When conducted with knowledge and ethics, these practices can offer a sustainable method to fulfill our requirements for food, medicinal needs, and a connection to nature.
Safety Considerations:
Proper plant identification is crucial in foraging and wildcrafting. Mistaking one plant for another can have grave consequences, given that numerous plants are toxic or even poisonous when ingested.
Invest in multiple field guides specific to your region (we will link some in each region)
Guides with detailed photographs and plant anatomy are invaluable resources.
Consider taking a few plant identification courses with reputable teachers.
When in doubt, never consume a plant unless you are 100% certain of its identity.
Many poisonous plants look almost identical to the edible ones to an untrained eye or someone without a field guide.
Hemlock can be mistaken for: Queen Anne’s lace (wild carrot), yarrow, wild fennel, or elderflower. Download the PDF below for some identification tips.
Many poisonous plants get mistaken, so proceed with caution.
It is also important to avoid picking plants from potentially contaminated areas.
well-traveled roadsides that may expose plants to vehicle exhaust, road salt, and other pollution.
industrial areas near factories that release harmful chemicals.
agricultural areas that may have pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and other harmful chemicals.
Be sustainable:
never harvest more than 20% of a plant population in a given area
avoid disturbing the plants in a way that prevents growth
i.e. pulling roots that are not to be used, over plucking a plant
rotate harvesting locations to allow plants time to recover and replenish
if permits are necessary, get them; get permission from land owners
cultivate and propagate wild plants for your personal use/garden to reduce load on wild populations
Northeast Region:
Common herbs:
Wild Ginger
Wild Bergamot
Bayberry
Books for this region:
Southeast Region:
Common herbs
American Ginseng
Saw Palmetto
Passionflower
Books for this region:
Midwest Region:
Common herbs
Yarrow
Mint
Dandelion
Nettle
Books for this region:
Southwest Region:
Common herbs:
Juniper
Sage
Elder
Mullein
Books for this region:
Wild Medicinal Plants of Southwestern US
Northwest Region:
Common herbs
Oregon Grape
Burdock
Lemon Balm
Plantain
PDF download here
Books for this region:
Pacific Northwest Medicinal Plants
Resources:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/garden-by-region/northeast/northeast-native-plants.htm
https://feralforaging.com/foraging-alabama-and-southeast/
https://www.survivorlibrary.com/library/edible-wild-plants.pdf
disclosure:
The information offered in this publication is for educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Links to external sites are for informational purposes only. Readers must do their own research concerning the safety and usage of any herbs or supplements.
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