Who, here, goes foraging to consume wild edibles?

[Arky]

I touched on this topic recently in the following thread:

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=59400#post59400

and thought it might be interesting to make a thread of it in its own right.

Having read up on the undoubted benefits of eating raw, freshly-picked, mineral-rich, bursting-with-life, totally-organic wild foods, I'm just beginning to take my first few tentative steps towards learning exactly what is, and what isn't, edible in my local countryside. What has astounded me is how much food there really is out there, which I've carelessly brushed past for 25 years without even noticing. Once one's eyes are opened to wild food, it seemingly 'leaps out' at you as you walk alongside it. It's wonderful.

I'm currently only a novice, going for the likes of nettles, dandelions, and blackberries, but I'm interested to hear of other people's experiences with foraging for wild edibles, and any tips they may wish to share.

I live in the south of Britain, but this is a multinational discussion board, so I welcome input on this topic no matter what part of the world you go foraging in!


J.


Some related links:

edibleweeds.com/generic.html?pid=6

rawfoodinfo.com/articles/sprouts_weedsmain.html

[rawpriestess]

My hubby does, he goes foraging most days, to get greens, herbs, etc.

He is out right now doing just that.

I will have him take a look at this when he gets back.

[rawpriestess]

Hi Arky,

Dragggon here,

I pick these wild:
camomile
kentucky mint
horsetail (medicinal)
plantain (medicinal)
blackberry
huckleberry
salmon berry
marion berry
cat tail (medicinal)
dandelion
bella donna (medicinal)
juniper berry (medicinal)
fox glove (medicinal)
mullen (medicinal) and useful in survival as it makes fish drunk, and therefore easy to catch (but not if you are eating raw vegan)
heal all (medicinal)
chickory
shaggy main mushrooms
yarrow (medicinal)
wild mountain parsley
wild mountain celery
wild strawberry (medicinal)
cleavers (medicinal)
red clover (medicinal)

just to name a few off the top of my head.

I am trying to compile clear pictures of the herbs I collect, but not all I have collected in bright sunlight, or can find when I want.

So here are two pics from my last bike ride,
heal all and mullen

[WinterSun]

I'd love to know what I'm looking for when on a hike, and know what I can use it for. Any books to recommend, with pictures? Thanks for your pics Draggon.

[Dragggon]

Ok here we go she did it I am now a member so i can share what I do and know.

I use 2 books mostly "From Earth to Herblalist" by Gregory Tilford
it is a smaller one that will fit in a small pack i carry while hiking and riding.

At home I use many but, mostly " The Complete Medicinal Herbal" by Penelope Ody.

Both have great pictures and lots of info in them.

Hope this helps
Dragggon

[Arky]

Thanks for your reply, Dragggon, I'd forgotten about this thread :)

Sounds like you're fairly experienced at this foraging malarky - I'm just a novice but I'll get there!


J.