On these balmy spring evenings in DC, when the humid swamp air is starting to creep in and the hazy light lingers past 8 pm, I open the windows wide, light a candle, and crack open the spine on one of my new herbal healing books. I’ve gently alluded to this in a past post, but this year I am devoting a great deal of my time to nurturing my own self-healing practice. This includes all kinds of natural healing methods – herbal allies, cooking with the moon, physical exercise, and setting aside time every evening for deep relaxation with a book, maybe my tarot cards, and a cup of calming tea. The result of this practice is that I am in power of my own health and well-being, rather than dis-ease and stress managing my body and mind for me.

But the most rewarding element of this practice is learning! I am actively and consciously acquiring new knowledge from books, yes, but also from an incredible community of other magic womyn who are walking the walk, not just talking the talk. Three of these womyn are Summer, Rhae and Sarah of The Great Kosmic Kitchen, originally swamp witches of Florida but now scattered across the country studying herbal medicine and living their dreams at The California School of Herbal Studies and the Tassajara Zen Center. These ladies are the real deal, and I’m endlessly inspired by their gorgeous writing, recipes, photos, and drawings on their blog.

We haven’t met in person (yet!) but Summer, Rhae and Sarah graciously agreed to share some of their wisdom on wildcrafting herbs with us through a guest blog post. Enjoy!

Over many moons these powerful plants have lain dormant. They have waited for just the right conditions to sprout. Now spring has come to awaken them, and is resurrecting potent medicine up into our earthly realm. Hello nettle, chickweed, cleavers, dandelion, yellow dock, sorrel. SPRING is finally here!

It is by no coincidence that these spring greens are highly nutritious and offer gentle cleansing. They come into our lives in perfect rhythm. Many ancient practices recognize the importance of spring cleansing, and boosting nutrition following winter dormancy. It is time to clean the body, make room for the new, and then–transform! Just as the plants do.

I try my best to honor our Earth, and for me a large part of this is living seasonally. This spring I have made a point to incorporate more wild foods into my diet, which brings healing, lessens my dependence on our inept agricultural system, helps the wallet, and most importantly… brings me closer to our Mamma.

So this post is an ode to the plants.

Dandelions breaking through the concrete as we hurry into the grocery store; yellow dock growing on the side of the highway; chickweed and cleavers vying for attention amongst our meticulously cultivated heirloom greens. There is an abundance of medicine all around us. We just have to know what to look for!

When Jess approached us about collaborating we were so excited, and instantly thought of wild foods. They are the perfect blend of medicine and nourishing food, which is something all of us witches love.  I urge you to use this guide in combination with a local plant I.D. book. I have found plant I.D. books in many used bookstores, thrift stores, and county libraries.  I suggest to do some research of your own to find out all the yummy things that grow wild in your region. Until then, here are some beauties that grow abundantly across America, maybe even in your own yard.

Yellow Dock

Rumex crispus

Relatively short plants that are a few feet tall. The leaves are a bit curly and dark green.

Parts used: Root.

Traditional use: Anemia, skin diseases, and liver congestion.

*I have gotten to know the root as gentle laxative that can be used for a few days (or weeks) to get you back into your rhythm. The taste is quite bitter, and the plant promotes downward flow through the body.

The greens are rich in vitamins C and A, and many minerals. A super nutritious green that is found all across America. Very young green tops of dock are perfect to mix in with other leafy greens for salads, herbal pesto, or a light sauté.

Nettle

Urtica urens

A perennial green that can grow short, or human size! They have opposite pairs of leaves, which are coarsely veined. Usually the bottom of the oblong-heart shaped leaves has fuzzy fine stingers at the bottom. It is a feisty plant that stings so make sure to wear gloves when harvesting!

Parts used: Leaves.

Traditional use: Anemia, urinary inflammation, and general weakness. A deeply nourishing tonic.

*Nettle is such a gift. When taken over time it seems to help almost anyone. Nettles work well on so many people and conditions because it is so deeply nourishing. Nettle is perfect in pesto, teas, and spanakopita! The whirl of a blender, a light sauté, and the warmth of an infusion will be just enough heat to take its sting away.

 

Dandelion

Taraxacum officinalis

A low growing deeply green plant, that shoots up from the middle with a long stem that creates beautiful yellow flowers. In modern times dandelion has become famous by “Round Up” ads, which promote herbicides to eradicate the beauty!

Parts used: Whole plant.

Traditional use: Alterative, diuretic, bitter, and as a tonic.

*This “weed” is one of the most nourishing foods we have, and it’s in our lawns! It is high in vitamins A and C, and contains calcium, iron, and magnesium too! Dandelion has a long history of keeping people fed through hard times. Dandelion stimulates the liver, gets the bile moving, and then cleanses the hepatic system. It is an amazing diuretic, eating too many leaves will definitely send you to the bathroom. Dandelion greens are perfect in a bitter greens salad, and the root would do well in a tonic soup or roasted for tea!

Cleavers

Galium aparine

Parts used: Aerial parts.

Traditional use: Diuretic, alterative, and as a spring cleanser.

*I can’t get enough of these rowdy plants! They grow abundantly in our garden here at The California School of Herbal Studies, and love to go for rides on our clothing. Cleavers are a wonderful cleanser to the lymphatic system, and is a cooling herb that can be used to treat heat. Very effective when juiced (though it takes a lot of them), as a succus, a tincture, and very yummy infused in vinegar for salads!

Chickweed

Stellaria media

Covers the ground in green masses with little white star-like flowers.

Parts used: Aerial parts.

Traditional use: Demulcent, alterative, and a gentle cleanser.

*Chickweed is another potherb with a mild flavor. The young tender greens are also used mixed in with salads and juices. Its demulcent properties make the plant soothing to the body. The weed can be used externally fresh as a poultice for many common skin issues.

All of these herbs are best fresh, this one particularly so. If you would like to save it, make a tincture for internal use, or maceration in olive oil for topical treatment of skin irritations and for salad dressings!

 

A note on ethical wild crafting.

I have chosen herbs that are abundant in our lawns and many natural areas. Because of this, I don’t know if I would consider this wild crafting. But as we are all growing and feeling called to the wild it is important that we harvest abundance. As we branch out and collect wild foods it is important to know that the areas we collect from are abundant, and have not been treated with harmful chemicals. Before doing any wild crafting I try to get to know the area, and research the status of the plants on United Plant Savers website. Be sure to ask the landowners and the plant if it is okay for you to harvest. Many of us plant people like to make an offering to the plants, a strand of hair, some dried tobacco, a song, whatever you feel called to do.

 

Happy weeding!

With love,

The Great Kosmic Kitchen

 

Writing by Summer Ashley, art created by the lovely Rhae Dawn Royal, and spiritual support from our third witch Sarah Benjamin.

*Sources:

Rosemary Gladstar’s
Michael Tierra’s
and notes from school at The California School of Herbal Studies.