Wild Plants Used for Medicine and Food
Learning wild plants used for medicine, food, and tools is also known as the study of ethnobotany (how people utilize plants). Edible and medicinal plants can provide healthy alternatives to highly processed foods and pharmaceuticals, bringing greater health into our lives. To effectively use wild plants, one must learn basic plant identification skills, especially for poisonous plants, as well as proper collection and preparation methods. This section of the online library provides articles on edible, medicinal, and utilitarian uses of plants. Articles often include references to excellent books, resources, and classes. We hope you enjoy these resources that can help you discover ways to bring wild plants into your life. You can peruse the articles below and/or sign up to the
Alderleaf eNewsletter
to get updates on new articles.
Information and Articles on Edible & Medicinal Uses of Plants: Red Huckleberry Plants: A Valuable Northwest Native Red huckleberry plants are abundant in the northwest. These delicate translucent berries have been a source of food for generations of Northwest natives, animals and people alike. (read more) Medicinal Uses of Elderberry Plants Blue and red elderberry plants have been used for generations by the native people of the Pacific Northwest as both powerful medicine and vitamin-packed food supplements. (read more) Wild Strawberry Plants: The Sweetest Little Gift of the Forest Though smaller than the cultivated garden varieties, their flavor and sweetness is unmatched. Wild strawberries are rich in vitamins A and C, as well as high in iron, potassium and calcium. (read more) Cottonwood Salve, Part 1: Jan 2008 issue of the Alderleaf eNewsletter Early February is often the best time in the Pacific Northwest to collect sap-filled buds of cottonwood trees for making medicine. The sweet-smelling sticky sap, also known as... (read more) Cottonwood Salve, Part 2: Feb 2008 issue of the Alderleaf eNewsletter Now that you have created cottonwood oil, you can use the following recipe to create your very own medicinal salve. The advantages of a salve is that the medicine is turned into an ointment... (read more) Five Temperate Rainforest Plants to Know in the Pacific Northwest Temperate rainforest plants used for medicine, food, or made into tools. The following wild plants are some of the most useful species in the Pacific Northwest. (read more) List of Medicinal Plants in the Temperate Rainforest A thorough listing of wild medicinal plant species found on the west side of the Cascade Mountains and nearby habitats of the Pacific Northwest. Alderleaf compiled the list using a variety of medicinal plant resources and distribution maps. (read more) More information and articles on wild plants coming soon!
Salad made from wild flowers and greens
|
