Let's take a Walk on the Wild Herb Side .........................

Awww ... It's not officially Spring , but all the plants are emerging and I'm loving every minute of watching and waiting for their fruits. I found Cleavers peeking out from long ago fallen leaves ..............


And this beautiful patch of Wild Ginger has emerged in my front yard next to an old oak tree. I've never used Wild Ginger , but I think she's speaking to me. Guess I should learn more about her.



The Hairy Bittercress is flowering. I've eaten it a few times in the last 2 weeks , I've enjoyed the flavor raw or cooked.

Chickweed always makes me happy with it's beautiful green color , we had a wild tossed salad last night for supper ......... lots of Chickweed , Dandelion , Hairy Bittercress , Violet leaves and Wild Onions .

On my herb walk I discovered this plant , I've never seen it growing here before. Can anyone identify it by the leaves , I'm going to watch it closely for blooms .............

Click on photos for a close view ...... Please leave me a comment if you know what it is.

Oops ........... More Cleavers

The Purple Dead Nettle has emerged and bloomed. I did find an explanation as to why it is called " Purple Dead Nettle " , it's in the nettle family and since it doesn't sting , it's called dead nettle.

The wild onions have popped up everywhere , I have plans to harvest some this week. I'll be dehydrating them , they're delicious dried , they gain a sweet taste.

The Yellow Dock looks wonderful , I'm planning to try some cooked soon. I've never cooked it , but I have made Yellow Dock root tincture. Speaking of all the things I want to try or do , it's time to make a new " to do list ". It's very easy to get sidetracked this time of year , maybe a list will help me stay focused on my plans.

The Violets have jumped up , can't wait to see those beautiful little flowers appear , need to add Violet syrup to that list I mentioned (LOL).

~ Green Blessings ~

JoyceAnn

Making Honeysuckle/Mullein Cough Syrup

http://feather-spirits.blogspot.com/2010/05/honeysuckle-and-mullein-cough-syrup.html

~ Digging Roots ~

I've started to neglect this blog again , promise I'll try to update more often. I've been busy the last couple of weeks gathering roots and making tinctures. I've made dandelion , dandelion/yellow dock and echinacea root tinctures. They're sitting on my counter , hoping to get a shake each day.

I also made a chickweed tincture and still have plans to make violet leaf tincture.My stevia has sprouted out again , my plant almost dried up awhile back , but it's sprouted out again and I want to try infusing the leaves in an alcohol base and see how it turns out.

~ Greenest Blessings ~

JoyceAnn

~ Wild Herbs around the Yard ~

~ Wild Ginger ~

( Asarum canadense )

Roots edible / But Read Wild Ginger Post

~ Common Elderberry ~

( Sambucus canadensis )

Flower clusters /Berries are edible

~ Spiny-Leaved Sow-Thistle ~

( S. Asper )

Young leaves are edible / Remove Spines

~ Plantain ~
( Plantago spp. )

Young leaves edible

~ Yellow Goat's-Beard ~

( Tragopogon pratensis )

Young leaves / Roots are edible

~ Yellow Dock ~

( Rumex crispus )

Young Leaves edible

~ Wild Carrot , Queen Ann's Lace ~

( Daucus carota )

Roots are edible

~ Cat's Ear ~

( Hypochoeris radicata )

Leaves / Roots are edible