Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) is an iconic evergreen tree of the west coast. It’s beauty has made it a popular ornamental, and it can now be found growing in gardens, parks and yards all over the world. This time
Western Red Cedar
Making Real Marshmallow (from Hollyhock seeds)
I recently became intrigued about making real marshmallow while reading John Kallas’ book Edible Wild Plants. John has some great ideas and practical recommendations if you are interested in turning so called weeds into delicious, abundant sources of foods.
Making Wild Mustard
I have been fascinated for a while now about making mustard from wild mustard seeds. Many mustard species are weedy in urban spaces, they are easy to identify (as being mustards) due to their pungent aroma and flavour when crushed.
A Spotlight on Rose-hip
I’m finding rose hips particularly abundant and beautiful this time of the year. They are a seasonal favourite for supporting the immune system and preventing colds and flu. It’s easy to see why, as in addition to being full of
Infused Vinegar
What is an infused vinegar? An infused vinegar is essentially steeping plant material in vinegar for a period of time, an ideal amount of time is 4 weeks. The reason behind infusing a vinegar may be to flavour vinegar, to
Lilac Syrup
Common lilac or Syringa vulgaris is a wonderfully fragrant, spring-flowering ornamental. It is easily recognized by its large purple or white blossoms. The leaves are also characteristic. They are arranged oppositely along the branch and are heart-shaped. I love to
Creeping Bell Flower – Campanula rapunculoides
One of the most robust urban plants to emerge during the Alberta spring is creeping bell flower, Campanula rapunculoides. This perennial was introduced from Europe and spreads rapidly with its creeping rhizome. This growth pattern can make it nearly impossible
Big Leaf Maple Quiche
I am very excited about my first big leaf maple (Acer macrophyllum) quiche. I recently learned about the edible blossoms at a native plant food talk by Jay Rastogi. Coming from the foothills and prairies, I am new to many
Native Nervines: Wild Plants That Calm the Mind
This article first appeared without references July 12, 2017 on the Light Cellar blog: http://thelightcellar.ca/native-nervines-wild-plants-that-calm-the-mind/ Nervines are plant medicines that act to re-establish balance in the nervous system. The nervous system comprises the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves.
Herbs and the Microbiome
This article was originally written in 2016 regarding the research I was completing for my Master’s dissertation at Middlesex University. The article was supposed to appear on the Sensory Solutions website , but has not quite made it into the