Herbal medicine. Wild food. Education.
People sometimes ask me what skills are required to learn about and identify plants. Here are some ideas to get you started. I think the first thing is interest! If you are interested you will be inspired to learn more.
Spruce resin has been recorded as being traditionally used by Indigenous peoples of the Americas for dental hygiene. Resin is very anti-microbial, trees produce it in order to protect themselves from invading microbes. I particularly enjoy making mouthwash from the
A previous version of this article first appeared on the Light Cellar blog in 2016. People have had a long relationship with roses throughout history. What garden would be complete without an archetypal rose offering its soft beauty and fragrant
White Spruce (Picea glauca): Key identification features: Conifer trees that have single needles that can be rolled between the fingers. Branches are very rough and stubbly as the leaf (needle) stalks remain on the branch. Medicinal usage:Spruce is antimicrobial against
One of my favourite recipes over the past couple summers has been to make an oxidized Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium) tea. This is frequently described as fermented tea, however, technically the process is oxidation. Oxidation refers to the sum of chemical
Juniper berries (actually fleshy cones) are a popular wild harvested spice. They are often used to flavour meats and are used to flavour gin. Medicinal usage centres around their aromatic and antimicrobial properties. Juniper berries are useful in treating digestive
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
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