May Archives - Page 3 of 7 - Plight to Freedom

Hairy Wood Mint: Edible & Medicinal

March 14, 2016 by Mike Leave a Comment

Hairy Wood Mint, Blephilia hirsuta, a common mint in my area with interesting little white or purple flowers that are in bloom from May to August. The leaves have both a minty and earthy taste. They can be steeped in hot water for five to ten minutes to make a tea. Or, they can be used to add flavor to sauces, jams, jellies and beverages. Medicinally, they could possibly be used in place of Blephilia ciliata as a remedy for headaches.

Keep your eyes and ears open and your powder dry.

Hairy Wood Mint Sources:

Foster, Steven and James A. Duke. The Peterson Field Guide Series; A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs of Eastern and Central North America. 2nd. ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2000. Print. pg. 216

Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey. Cherokee Plants and Their Uses- A 400 Year History. North Carolina: Herald Publishing. 1975. Print. pg. 45

Moerman Daniel E., Native American Ethnobotany, Portland: Timber Press. 1998. Print. pg. 126

Newcomb, Lawrence. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1977. Print. pg. 84-85

Peterson, Lee Allen. The Peterson Field Guide Series; A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants; Eastern and Central North America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1977. Print. pg. 138-139

United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Services. Web.

Common Winter Cress: Edible, Medicinal & Cautions

March 9, 2016 by Mike Leave a Comment

Common Winter Cress, Barbarea vulgaris, a plant that is in many wild edible field guides but your chances of finding it before it becomes too bitter is very slim, trust me it has a very strong taste. Medicinally, it was used as a blood medicine, cough medicine, stimulant, astringent and diuretic.

Keep your eyes and ears open and your powder dry

Common Winter Cress Sources:

Audubon Guides Box Set – Birds, Tree, Wildflowers & Mammals. Computer Software.Green Mountain Digital. Version: 2.3. Web. Jul 10, 2014.

Brill, Steve. Wild Edibles Plus. Computer Software. WinterRoot LLC. Version 1.5. 2012. Web. Feb. 15, 2014.

Felter, Harvey Wickes, M.D., and John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D. King’s American Dispensatory, Vol. 1. Cincinnati: The Ohio Valley Company, 1905. pg. 431-434

Fernald, Merritt Lyndon & Alfred Charles Kinsey. Edible Wild Plants of Eastern North America. New York: Dover Publications, Inc. 1996. Print. pg. 219

Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey. Cherokee Plants and Their Uses- A 400 Year History. North Carolina: Herald Publishing. 1975. Print. pg. 31

Moerman Daniel E., Native American Ethnobotany, Portland: Timber Press. 1998. Print. pg. 121

Newcomb, Lawrence. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1977. Print. pg. 144-145

Peterson, Lee Allen. The Peterson Field Guide Series; A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants; Eastern and Central North America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1977. Print. pg. 64-65

United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Services. Web.

Common Blackberry: Edible & Medicinal

February 25, 2016 by Mike Leave a Comment

Common Blackberry, Rubus allegheniensis, is the plant that started my interest in nature and it was my first experience in wild edibles. It’s rich in potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, phosphorus, beta-carotene and vitamin C. The fruit can be eaten raw, cooked, made into a jam or jelly and made into a cold drink. It has been used medicinally for diarrhea, dysentery, cholera, stomach hemorrhages and for many other things.

Keep your eyes and ears open and your powder dry.

Common Blackberry Sources:

Brill, Steve. Wild Edibles Plus. Computer Software. WinterRoot LLC. Version 1.5. 2012. Web. Feb. 15, 2014.

Felter, Harvey Wickes, M.D., and John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D. King’s American Dispensatory, Vol. 2. Cincinnati: The Ohio Valley Company, 1905. pg. 1680-1682

Fernald, Merritt Lyndon & Alfred Charles Kinsey. Edible Wild Plants of Eastern North America. New York: Dover Publications, Inc. 1996. Print. pg. 236-238

Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey. Cherokee Plants and Their Uses- A 400 Year History. North Carolina: Herald Publishing. 1975. Print. pg. 26

Herrick, James William. Iroquois Medical Botany. Ph.D. Thesis, New York: State University of New York, Albany 1977. Print. pg. 167-168

Moerman Daniel E., Native American Ethnobotany, Portland: Timber Press. 1998. Print. pg. 487

Newcomb, Lawrence. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1977. Print. pg. 232-233

Peterson, Lee Allen. The Peterson Field Guide Series; A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants; Eastern and Central North America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1977. Print. pg. 184-185

United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Services. Web.

Indian Strawberry: Edible, Medicinal & Cautions

February 23, 2016 by Mike 2 Comments

Indian Strawberry, Duchesnea or Potentilla indica, is a common flower of late spring and early summer. There are conflicting views whether or not this plant is poisonous. In John “Lofty” Wiseman’s SAS Survival Handbook he states that, “the fruits are highly poisonous, sometimes toxic.” Other herbalist, foragers and researchers think otherwise even stating that you, “might die of disappointment” from the lack of flavor.

Keep your eyes and ears open and your powder dry.

Indian Strawberry Sources:

Audubon Guides Box Set – Birds, Tree, Wildflowers & Mammals. Computer Software. Green Mountain Digital. Version: 2.3. Web. Jul 10, 2014.

Brill, Steve. Wild Edibles Plus. Computer Software. WinterRoot LLC. Version 1.5. 2012. Web. Feb. 15, 2014.

Deane, Green. Indian Strawberry. Eat the Weeds and Other Things. Web.

Newcomb, Lawrence. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1977. Print. pg. 240-241

United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Services. Web.

Wiseman, John. The SAS Survival Handbook, How to Survive in the Wild, in any Climate, on Land or at Sea. London: Harper Collins Publishers, 1996. Print. pg.92

Aniseroot: Edible, Medicinal & Cautions

February 19, 2016 by Mike 2 Comments

Aniseroot, Osmorhiza longistylis, a licorice flavored plant that can be used to add flavor to soups, stews, desserts and tea. It was used medicinally by several American Indians for absence of menstruation, as a dietary aid, throat aid, eye medicine and dermatological aid. Western herbal medicine used it for flatulence, coughs and a gentile stimulating tonic for upset stomaches.

keep your eyes and ears open and your powder dry.

Aniseroot Sources:

Brill, Steve. Wild Edibles Plus. Computer Software. WinterRoot LLC. Version 1.5. 2012. Web. Feb. 15, 2014.

Felter, Harvey Wickes, M.D., and John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D. King’s American Dispensatory, Vol. 2. Cincinnati: The Ohio Valley Company, 1905. pg. 1421-1422

Fernald, Merritt Lyndon & Alfred Charles Kinsey. Edible Wild Plants of Eastern North America. New York: Dover Publications, Inc. 1996. Print. pg. 286-287

Moerman Daniel E., Native American Ethnobotany, Portland: Timber Press. 1998. Print. pg. 371

Newcomb, Lawrence. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1977. Print. pg. 224-225

Peterson, Lee Allen. The Peterson Field Guide Series; A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants; Eastern and Central North America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1977. Print. pg. 42-43

United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Services. Web.

Purple Dead Nettle: Edible & Medicinal

February 3, 2016 by Mike Leave a Comment

Purple Dead Nettle, Lamium purpureum, this member of the mint family resembles a small nettle plant and has hairs but they do not sting like stinging or wood nettles thus the nettles are dead or inactive. Dead Nettles are edible and contain vitamins, iron and fiber. The leaves can be eaten raw in early spring, afterwards they can be boiled or cooked as potherb. Medicinally, it was used for any kind of hemorrhage.

Keep your eyes and ears open and your powder dry!

Purple Dead Nettle

Audubon Guides Box Set – Birds, Tree, Wildflowers & Mammals. Computer Software.Green Mountain Digital. Version: 2.3. Web. Jul 10, 2014.

Culpeper, M.D., Nicholas. Culpeper Color Herbal. Ed. David Potterton. New York: Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., 1983. Print. pg. 17

Fernald, Merritt Lyndon & Alfred Charles Kinsey. Edible Wild Plants of Eastern North America. New York: Dover Publications, Inc. 1996. Print. pg. 330

Newcomb, Lawrence. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1977. Print. pg. 86-87

United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Services. Web.

Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Web.

Cleavers: Edible, Medicinal, Cautions & Other Uses

January 20, 2016 by Mike Leave a Comment

Cleavers, Galium aparine, a common, clinging, weed to both Europe and North America used medicinally on both continents for many of the same ailments such as to cause urination, relieve inflammation, help gonorrhea and used for skin conditions. The young shoots are edible and the fruit can be roasted into a coffee substitute. The plant was also used to strain milk due to the barbs on the stem and leaves. Milk was poured over the plant and the barbs would catch straw and the animals hairs.

Keep your eyes and ears open and your powder dry!

Cleavers Sources:

Audubon Guides Box Set – Birds, Tree, Wildflowers & Mammals. Computer Software. Green Mountain Digital. Version: 2.3. Web. Jul 10, 2014.

Felter, Harvey Wickes, M.D., and John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D. King’s American Dispensatory, Vol. 2. Cincinnati: The Ohio Valley Company, 1905. pg. 909-910

Fernald, Merritt Lyndon & Alfred Charles Kinsey. Edible Wild Plants of Eastern North America. New York: Dover Publications, Inc. 1996. Print. pg. 342-343

Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey. Cherokee Plants and Their Uses- A 400 Year History. North Carolina: Herald Publishing. 1975. Print. pg. 36

Herrick, James William. Iroquois Medical Botany. Ph.D. Thesis, New York: State University of New York, Albany 1977. Print. pg. 219

Moerman Daniel E., Native American Ethnobotany. Portland: Timber Press. 1998. Print. pg. 241-242

Newcomb, Lawrence. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1977. Print. pg. 152-153

Peterson, Lee Allen. The Peterson Field Guide Series; A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants; Eastern and Central North America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1977. Print. pg. 50-51

United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Services. Web.

Smooth Solomon’s Seal: Edible, Medicinal, Cautions & Other Uses

December 24, 2015 by Mike Leave a Comment

Smooth Solomon’s Seal, Polygonatum biflorum, is an edible and medicinal wildflower but please only harvest this plant where it’s abundant. The shoots can be harvested in early spring and eaten raw or cooked liked asparagus. The root can be harvested all year but don’t misidentify it for False Hellebore, Mayapple or False Solomon’s Seal. It can be boiled and served like potatoes. Medicinally, the root was used as a tonic, mild astringent, stimulant and sedative. The root was burned in a room as incense before bed to insure sound sleep.

Keep your eyes and ears open and your powder dry!

Smooth Solomon’s Seal Sources:

Audubon Guides Box Set – Birds, Tree, Wildflowers & Mammals. Computer Software. Green Mountain Digital. Version: 2.3. Web. Jul 10, 2014.

Brill, Steve. Wild Edibles Plus. Computer Software. WinterRoot LLC. Version 1.5. 2012. Web. Feb. 15, 2014.

Felter, Harvey Wickes, M.D., and John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D. King’s American Dispensatory, Vol. 1. Cincinnati: The Ohio Valley Company, 1905. pg. 598

Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey. Cherokee Plants and Their Uses- A 400 Year History. North Carolina: Herald Publishing. 1975. Print. pg. 56

Moerman Daniel E., Native American Ethnobotany, Portland: Timber Press. 1998. Print. pg. 422

Newcomb, Lawrence. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1977. Print. pg. 342-343

Peterson, Lee Allen. The Peterson Field Guide Series; A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants; Eastern and Central North America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1977. Print. pg. 76-77

United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Services. Web.

Butterfly Weed: Poison, Medicinal & Other Uses

December 17, 2015 by Mike Leave a Comment

Butterfly Weed, Asclepias tuberosa, also known as Pleurisy Root for its use as a pulmonary aid. The plant is potentially toxic in large doses but it has a slew of medicinal uses. The plant acts as a laxative, expectorant, tonic, to induce urination, cause sweating and relieve gas. It was used for flatulence, headaches, stomach trouble, catarrh, bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia and for a bunch of other ailments. The fibers were used to make belts.

Keep your eyes and ears open and your powder dry!

Butterfly Weed Sources:

Audubon Guides Box Set – Birds, Tree, Wildflowers & Mammals. Computer Software. Green Mountain Digital. Version: 2.3. Web. Jul 10, 2014.

Felter, Harvey Wickes, M.D., and John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D. King’s American Dispensatory, Vol. 1. Cincinnati: The Ohio Valley Company, 1905. pg. 288-291

Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey. Cherokee Plants and Their Uses- A 400 Year History. North Carolina: Herald Publishing. 1975. Print. pg. 27

Herrick, James William. Iroquois Medical Botany. Ph.D. Thesis, New York: State University of New York, Albany 1977. Print. pg. 200

Moerman Daniel E., Native American Ethnobotany, Portland: Timber Press. 1998. Print. pg. 109

Newcomb, Lawrence. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1977. Print. pg. 188-189

Peterson, Lee Allen. The Peterson Field Guide Series; A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants; Eastern and Central North America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1977. Print. pg. 92-93

United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Services. Web.

Ground Ivy: Edible, Medicinal & Cautions

December 10, 2015 by Mike Leave a Comment

Ground Ivy, Glechoma hederacea, is a low sprawling invasive species of North America found from early spring to mid summer. Though it can be easily over looked the flowers are interesting enough to seek this plant out. It is suspected to be toxic to horses and may cause humans to have swollen throats, labored breath and difficult sleeping. The plant has some nutrition value and the leaves are reported to be edible, but they are better served as a tea mixed with other herbs. The Cherokee made an infusion of the plant for babies’ hives, measles and colds. Western medicine has used it for asthma, jaundice, hypochondria and monomania.

Keep your eyes and ear open and your powder dry.

Ground Ivy Sources:

Audubon Guides Box Set – Birds, Tree, Wildflowers & Mammals. Computer Software. Green Mountain Digital. Version: 2.3. Web. Jul 10, 2014.

Brill, Steve. Wild Edibles Plus. Computer Software. WinterRoot LLC. Version 1.5. 2012. Web. Feb. 15, 2014.

Felter, Harvey Wickes, M.D., and John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D. King’s American Dispensatory, Vol. 2. Cincinnati: The Ohio Valley Company, 1905. pg. 933

Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey. Cherokee Plants and Their Uses- A 400 Year History. North Carolina: Herald Publishing. 1975. Print. pg. 37

Moerman Daniel E., Native American Ethnobotany, Portland: Timber Press. 1998. Print. pg. 248

Newcomb, Lawrence. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1977. Print. pg. 86-87

Peterson, Lee Allen. The Peterson Field Guide Series; A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants; Eastern and Central North America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1977. Print. pg. 140-141

United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Services. Web.