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Found a HUGE old lilac tree way off the beaten path and some wild mustard greens - which will be good with our bison burgers tonight. I'm not a big fan of the SUPER bitter leaves, but my daughter likes them. Mustard greens are a great source of vitamins A, K, E, C and various minerals. The lilacs we gathered just because... Wild Mustard and Lilacs Helena on an Apple Blossom Strewn Mossy Rock Giving Some Love to Sweet Birch!  We gathered a few branches from some sweet birch saplings that were growing prolifically. I LOVE making birch beer, which is similar to root beer. If you break off a branch of sweet birch it has a smell that reminds me very much of root beer, although more minty. Rough recipe... dice up the branches; cover with water; simmer for a few hours; add sweetener of choice; add seltzer. We were impatient and only did an hour decoction of the roots so it was a bit weak, albeit tasty. Helena is homeschooled so, amongst other work, today counted as a science field-trip along with some math in the car and some spelling along the trails. We Discovered a Hidden Pond on our Explorations! Purple Violets The photo makes them look blue, but they were purple in real life. Violet blossoms are full of vitamin C and good for various respiratory ailments. We made an infusion with ours to make into a violet syrup. However, I think you really need a LOT more than what we gathered to make a strong syrup. My favorite use for violet blossoms it to just throw them in a salad, over the top of veggies, or on top of any dessert like ice cream. Quick and simple and fresh and you don't lose their beautiful shape and color.
If you go foraging, I'd love to see what you've found and how you've used it. Finally, if you want to learn more about herbs, check out Online Herbal Summer Camp 2015 - button link at top of this page.
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A peek at the herbal goodness we concocted today!
First, I made a cold infusion of marshmallow root (jar in front) to compare with an identical hot infusion of marshmallow root (small pot on back burner) for an assignment in my MS in Herbalism program. In the other jar on back of stove are dandelion blossoms we picked and dried on a cookie sheet for 2 days. Stuff in jar, pour oil over (we used olive oil); this will infuse for 2 weeks, and then we'll use the oil in a salve for aches and pains. On the front burner (and in close-up of pot) are a series of herbs being brewed into a strong infusion that I personally use for my Crohn's disease. I use plantain, calendula, chamomile, yarrow, marshmallow root and a pinch of licorice root - great herbs to aid in digestion, soothe mucous membranes, and historically used to heal sores and bleeding. They work great for me! The lilacs are just picked and will be left on a cookie sheet in open air to dry for 24+ hours and then also infused in oil for two weeks. I'm hoping to make a heavenly, lilac-scented body butter! <3 Finally, we tried out some homemade marshmallows made the old fashioned way with marshmallow root! They were a first time experiment and we didn't love them (though our neighbor friend did!). We'd like to try again with less powdered marshmallow root and a bit more vanilla. They're dark colored because we used coconut sugar. My nearly 10 year old daughter Helena and I have a blast making things! She did the marshmallows herself. Looks like yummy, useful, fun? Sign up for Herbal Summer Camp 2015 - perfect for adults and families alike - and make your own herbal first aid kit along with a whole lot more. For more info on the Herbal Summer Camp tab above! |
Rebecca Grace AndrewsWelcome! I'm a college professor, herbalist, writer and photographer. Archives
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