The Traditional and Modern Uses of Yarrow
Yarrow is the herb of a million flowers, thanks to its prolific foliage. This wild edible has been used in food and medicine since … Continue
Plants
The Traditional and Modern Uses of Rowan (Mountain Ash)
Rowan or Mountain Ash is an ancient tree used since ancient times. The berries provide a variety of wild edible delights and offer a … Continue
The Traditional and Modern Uses of Broad-leaved dock
Docks have grown in Britain since three ice ages ago, and remains of dock have been found in places where people once farmed, such … Continue
The Traditional and Modern Uses of Daisy
Introduction Daisy, a humble little flower that is widespread in many parts of the world. A children’s favourite for making ‘daisy chains’ or ‘fairy … Continue
The Traditional and Modern Uses of Meadowsweet
Sweetly scented meadowsweet was famous as a strewing herb and as a flavouring for mead. It later gained recognition as one of the plants that … Continue
The Traditional and Modern Uses of Sorrel
As a medicinal and garden herb, common sorrel has been used since the ancient days of Greece’s Dioscorides and Rome’s Pliny the Elder in … Continue
The Traditional and Modern Uses of Plantain
Plantain belongs to a big family of plants called Plantaginaceae. Greater and lesser plantain is also known as common plantain and ribwort plantain respectively. … Continue
The Traditional and Modern Uses of Garlic Mustard
Garlic mustard is a common wild herb in Britain and Ireland. Its leaves exude a garlicky smell when bruised or chopped, although the plant … Continue
The Traditional and Modern Uses of Cleavers (Goosegrass)
Introduction Cleavers earned its name thanks to the sticky plant’s tendency to ‘cleave’ to human clothing or animal fur. However, this common weed is … Continue
The Traditional and Modern Uses of Rosehip (Dog Rose)
Dog Rose (also known as Rosehip), is a climbing wild rose with white-pink flowers and a soft subtle scent. Its deep orange-red fruit, the … Continue
The Traditional and Modern Uses of Stinging Nettle
Stinging Nettle is a surprisingly helpful plant in food and medicine despite its stinging hairs, as seen below. Scientific Name Urtica dioica Family Urticaceae … Continue
The Traditional and Modern Uses of Elder
Elder is a valuable wild edible tree or shrub. Its berries have a cornucopia of uses. Scientific name Sambucus nigra Family Adoxaceae Botanical description … Continue
The Traditional and Modern Uses of Chickweed
Introduction Chickweed is a familiar garden weed recognisable by its tiny white flowers. The seeds were once fed to birds, which is how the … Continue
The Traditional and Modern Uses of Sloe (Blackthorn)
Sloe also known as Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) is a thorny hedgerow plant with dark purple berries often sought after in autumn to make warming … Continue
The Traditional and Modern Uses of Water Pepper
As I write this, I am sitting on a bench. Opposite me is a large patch of water pepper. I write with an ancient, primitive … Continue