Disclaimer - I am not a foraging expert!! But I believe the simple information I DO have is so incredibly important to share… so here goes.
In a world where we don’t know where our food has travelled from.. from which country..
Where we don’t know what shite has been sprayed on the crops or used on the soil..
Where food is becoming increasingly more expensive…
Where global conglomerates control our food..
Where an apple could have been picked weeks before it’s eaten..
Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls…
FORAGING!
Foraging is one of the simplest yet most beneficial things we can do. Fresh food, for FREE, abundant in our gardens, in our woodlands, in our fields, in our forests, by our beaches..
No sprayed shite (avoid farmers fields and anywhere that could have been pesticided!), no massive money making company involved in any part of the process.. just you, the land, and her bounty. And there is no price for eating food that’s hours freshly picked.. minutes fresh.. seconds.. that LIFE FORCE is totally devoid from the ‘food’ in our supermarkets. It’s abundant in the plants in your back garden.
NETTLES
Nettles are a superfood, packed with nutrients. They grow everywhere. They are high in amino acids, protein, flavonoids, and bone-building minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and zinc. Nettles are also a great source of vitamin K. Pick the top of the plant when the plant is not in flower or in seed. When the nettle is seeding, the seeds can be eaten too. I usually pinch the top part with my thumb and index finger and pluck it off the rest of the plant. I don’t usually get stung, but if I do, I’m pretty sure it’s bloody great for me! You can wear gloves or use scissors if you’d prefer.
I like adding nettles to: TEA / SOUP / STEW
CLEAVER / STICKY WEED / GOOSEGRASS
Cleaver is another BOSS plant that has so many nutritional benefits. Worldwide, Cleavers most common use has been as a cleansing herb for treating ailments from kidney and urinary disorders to infections and itching, and it’s apparently excellent for skin conditions like eczema. Again similar to nettles, I just pick the top of the plant, which is the freshest / newest growth and where a lot of the nutrition is held.
I like adding cleaver to to: COLD WATER (it tastes amaaazing) / TEA / SALAD / SOUP / STEW
DANDELIONS
Possibly my favourite of the plants I’m telling you about today.. we can use every bit of the plant, although I’m yet to try out using the roots (for coffee amongst other things!)
Dandelions can be eaten cooked or raw and are an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and K. They also contain vitamin E, folate, and small amounts of other B vitamins. Dandelions provide a substantial amount of several minerals, including iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium.
I like adding Dandelion to: TEA / SALAD / SOUP / STEW and you can also make very very delicious dandelion HONEY
RAMSONS / WILD GARLIC
Wild garlic has a long tradition of medicinal use in many different countries, with reported anti fungal, antimicrobial, antiseptic, anti inflammatory, cytotoxic, antioxidant, expectorant, vasodilatory and cardio-protective effects. It is also used as a tonic for digestion; easing colic, treating loss of appetite and curing indigestion.
However I eat it mainly because it’s bloody delicious! You can find wild garlic in the UK between February and June. You’ll often find it in woodlands near rivers and streams. You can eat the whole plant, the flowers are delicious and sooo beautiful - perfect for a dish you want to taste AND look great too.
I like adding Wild Garlic to: SALAD / SOUP / STEW and you can also make PESTO although I’m yet to try this! Don’t forget to pop a few leaves in your mouth when you find a good foraging spot!
PLANTAIN
Plantain is highly nutritious, containing vitamins A, B, C and K, calcium, fibre, fat, protein, silicon, sodium, zinc, tannin and mucilage. The nutty-flavoured seeds are also considered a good source of protein. The plant has been used as a general remedy for many complaints from cuts, sores and bruises to kidney disease, bowel disorders and intestinal worms. It is considered a great healer in particular for its ability to prevent external bleeding.
I like adding Plantain to: TEA / SALAD / SOUP / STEW
DAISIES
Daisies have a high amount of vitamin C and have also been used medicinally for many infections of the respiratory tract including coughs, colds, catarrh, bronchitis and sinusitis.
These are another beautiful flower to use in salads to make it a sight for the eyes as well as the belly!
I like adding Daisies to: TEA / SALAD / SOUP / STEW and I also like picking and eating them as I go walking in nature!
So there we have it. My very basic, but valuable information on foraging.
If you have any questions please do message me. Alternatively there are some amazing people online too who have far vaster knowledge on the subject than I.
Happy foraging you beauties xxx