~ Wild Ginger ~

I've been thinking about how I came to have an interest in herbs , this is one of the plants that brings back fond memories. I spent alot of time roaming and playing in the woods as a child , I remember picking the leaves from this plant , just because I loved the scent , it smelled wonderful , although I didn't know what it was back then. So , thinking back I guess my love of herbs started when I was very young and was the beginning of the path I would eventually follow. Over the years I had often wondered what that beautiful heart-shaped great smelling plant was. So , I guess one could say , that plant had been talking to me for along time , it just took awhile for me to hear it.
I discovered what the plant was a few years ago , we have lots of wild ginger growing around here , this is the first time I've ever seen the bloom. The bloom was actually covered with leaves , the only reason I discovered it was by digging up the root. I remember the first time I smelled ginger spice , the smell seemed so familiar , but I didn't know why , but now I do. I'm not a big fan of (Asian) common ginger , although I'm beginning to develop a taste for it. I've never ate wild ginger , there is conflicting information about the herb , so I'm not sure about it , although there are other ways to use wild ginger . I like the idea of using the dried root for incense , since I love the smell of wild ginger.

~ Warning ~

Wild ginger has a naturally occurring toxin called aristolochic acid , a toxin that may cause cancer.

Check-out these links for more info .........

http://www.altnature.com/gallery/wild_ginger.htm and http://www.naturesherbal.com/Wild_Ginger.htm

~ Green Blessings ~

JoyceAnn