Treat Yourself to the Wonders of Weeds
Stop pulling and start eating: Weeds are great for your health!
March/April 2005
By Kathi Keville
Ah, spring. Time to think about your lawn — not
to mow it, but to harvest it. Wild spring greens and roots useful
as food and medicine abound in lawns, flower beds, parks and vacant
lots. Many of these weeds are edible greens and roots packed with
vitamins and minerals. And they’re almost always free for the
taking.
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Many countries consider wild weeds as traditional fare. In
Greece, I found raw or steamed wild greens on every menu, offered
as horta.
Play By the Rules
Herbalists who search the hills and dales for edible and
medicinal plants call it wildcrafting. Before you harvest, you must
learn the wildcrafting rules. First, be able to identify without
question any wild weed you collect (see “Take a Walk on the Wild
Side” on Page 34). Second, make sure your weeds haven’t been
sprayed with pesticides or herbicides. Of course, you’ll have
control of your own yard, but check before harvesting your
neighbor’s property or a park. Finally, avoid areas next to
well-traveled roads, which will be polluted by traffic exhaust.
Most herbalists recommend harvesting a minimum of 50 feet away from
major roadways.
Let’s say you have made a positive identification and know that
the plant you’re seeking is not endangered or threatened. It’s time
for wildcrafting. Look for healthy plants that are not bug-eaten.
Whenever possible, take gently from the plant to assure its
survival. Don’t rip or pull, but treat the plant as if you are
pruning it. If the area hasn’t been watered or rain-washed
recently, rinse off your wild herbs after harvesting them. If
you’re storing the herbs for future use, dry them in a warm place
with plenty of air circulation and out of direct sunlight. Store
them in an airtight container.
Responsible Wildcrafting
The wild herbs described in this article are rampant weeds. In
fact, they are European natives that made themselves at home
throughout North America and beyond. Once you learn to recognize
them, you’ll encounter them everywhere, even through cracks in the
sidewalk. Harvesting them won’t negatively impact the environment.
However, that’s definitely not the case with all wild plants. Some
favorite herbal remedies are becoming scarce from overharvesting;
others are disappearing because civilization has taken over areas
in which they grow. With some herbs, only a small percentage of the
patch should be picked. Other herbs are too rare to collect at
all.
In an effort to preserve wild medicinal herbs, herbalists have
formed United Plant Savers, an organization dedicated to promoting
herb cultivation as an alternative to wildcrafting (see Page 28 for
more about United Plant Savers and endangered herbs).
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