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
Eatweeds wild food foraging guide to Britain and Northern Europe
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
EP22: Foraging the future, sustainability & vital connection
An interview with Miles Irving, author of the Forager Handbook and creator of The Wild Box, on why we must include humans in our … Continue
Dulse seaweed as food and medicine
Traditionally dulse was harvested after it had been washed three times in the May floods. In folk medicine, dulse was used to treat parasitical infections, relieve constipation and treat scurvy.
EP21: From 19th century famine potherb to 21st century hipster food
The edibility of plants has been discussed in old herbals and economic handbooks since the origins of written language. Inventories of wild edible plants … Continue
EP20: Discovering new wild edible plants
That person is Lukasz Luczaj, associate professor and head of the Department of Botany at the University of Rzeszow, Poland. I’d always wanted to … Continue
EP19: The future of farming is foraging
Food pioneers Martin Godfrey and Sara Melendro from Hilltown Organics are revolutionising how we farm. Incorporating wild edible plants into their polyculture farming systems, … Continue
Traditional use of hottentot fig
Carpobrotus edulis has a good, balanced nutritional profile. The succulent leaves are a strong antioxidant. They can be pickled but can be astringent if … Continue
Yarrow as a traditional herbal remedy
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) grows everywhere, in the grass, in meadows, pastures, and by the roadside. The whole plant, stems, leaves and flowers, collected in the … Continue
Wild Water Pepper Tade Su
Ingredients 30g fresh water pepper leaf and tips. 6 tablespoons of high quality mirin (most are full of junk chemicals). 6 tablespoons of Japanese … 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