25 Medicinal Plants You Can Forage Right Now
Summer is here! We can now see numerous plants brimming with life. From flowers to weeds and everything in between, there are many things you can use for medicinal purposes. All you have to do is to know which plants to pick and how to use them. This article will highlight 25 medicinal plants that you can forage right now! So read on and see how amazing Mother Nature is, especially in spring and summer!
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
You can find dandelions sprouting just anywhere. Dandelions may be weeds, but they are beautiful with their yellow flowers.
Dandelions have basal leaves that grow at the bottom of the stem. The leaves are also hairless and produce a milky sap.
Benefits: Dandelions are one of the most beneficial weeds out there. They are highly nutritious and a great source of Vitamins A, C, K, and E. They also contain minerals such as magnesium, calcium, potassium, and iron.
How to use it: You can toss dandelion blooms on your salads just like any other fresh salad ingredients you have! Or you may also make dandelion tea. Simply add ½ cup of dandelion petals in 1 cup boiling water. Steep for 5-10 minutes, and strain. Viola! You can now drink your dandelion tea, and you may even sweeten it with raw honey if desired.
More recipes here:
- How to Make Dandelion Bread
- How to Make Dandelion Jelly
- Dandelion Syrup For Cholesterol and Blood Sugar Control
- Dandelion Root Infused Honey for Immunity
Daylily (Hemerocallis)
Benefits: The orange day lily, in particular, is used as a diuretic and laxative.
How to use it: Day lily flowers are edible. Many people love to eat them battered and fried. Some would even go for the first shoots and forage these to add on their favorite stir-fries.
Chicory (Cichorium intybus)
Benefits: Chicory has many health benefits such as easing constipation and upset stomach. It is also used to protect the liver and gallbladder.
How to use it: Chicory leaves can be eaten like celery or tossed in your salads. Others will forage the roots and leaves, clean and boil them to eat since it helps reduce the bitter taste. Additionally, you can dig the roots at the end of the summer season, then roast and grind them as a substitute for coffee. Some will even mix chicory root with roasted dandelion root to make a wonderful caffeine-free substitute for coffee.
Related: Everything You Need to Know About Chicory
Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)
How to use it: The sap helps remove warts when applied topically, while the roots can be chewed on to cure dysentery. Moreover, you can make an infusion from its roots and leaves to help remedy cough, asthma, and typhus fever. You may also steam or sauté young shoots or add the seed pods in soups. But take note, avoid using a mature plant as the sap may cause irritation or illness.
Fox Grape (Vitis labrusca)
Benefits: It has immune-boosting properties and also improves cardiovascular health. It also helps lower blood pressure and even lowers down the risk for breast cancer.
How to use it: To avail of the benefits of this healthy medicinal plant, you simply have to eat the fruit as a snack or combine it with your salads. Others make use of the fruit as a primary ingredient for their pies. Meanwhile, young leaves and tendrils are also cooked and eaten.
Click Here for a Complete Guide to 400 Wild Plants That You Can Forage For
Horseweed (Erigeron canadensis)
Benefits: It is helpful in the treatment of diarrhea and hemorrhoids. It also aids menstrual irregularities and bladder problems.
How to use it: Forage the flowers and the green parts of the plants before they bloom. You can use horseweed as a spice when cooking. You may also make a tea infusion by steeping 1 tsp of leaves in 1 cup of water for 30 minutes.
Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)
Benefits: Elderberries are best known to treat flu symptoms, inflammation, and stress.
How to use it: Make an elderberry tea by adding water, dried elderberries, and a cinnamon stick to a saucepan. Heat until the water boils, and lower down to medium-low to simmer for 15 minutes. Let the tea cool for 5 minutes, strain, and enjoy!
More recipes here:
- How to Infuse Honey with Elderberry
- Elderberry Syrup With Echinacea and Goldenseal
- How to Make Immune Boosting Elderberry Syrup
Red Raspberry (Rubus spp.)
Benefits: Raspberries are rich in fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. They also help manage blood sugar, weight, and arthritis. Pregnant women also benefit from drinking red raspberry tea leaf as it helps shorten labor time.
How to use it: You can add fruits to your cereals or oatmeals. You may also make a red raspberry infusion by filling a large mason jar halfway with tea leaves. Pour boiling water over the leaves, and cover with a lid. Let it stay overnight, and strain using cheesecloth the following morning. Store in a mason jar or large glass bottle inside the fridge. This infusion can last for 3-5 days when stored properly. Drink 1 cup of tea daily for best results.
Related: How To Make Your Own Raspberry Vinegar
Bee Balm (Monarda spp.)
Benefits: This medicinal plant has antimicrobial properties that help soothe colds and flu. It further aids in bloating, indigestion and nausea. Topically, bee balm can help treat stings, scrapes, and rashes.
How to use it: Aside from making a bee balm tea, you can make use of the leaves as herbal steams. Simply add dry leaves to steaming water or your bath and inhale the steam. This can help clear your nasal passages.
Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)
Benefits: This herb improves liver and bone health, reduces menopausal symptoms, and promotes healthy skin and hair.
How to use it: You can make a red clover tea by adding 4 grams of dried red clover flowers to 1 cup of boiling water. Steep for 5-10 minutes, strain, and drink. Do not exceed over 3 cups of tea per day.
Common Mallow (Malva neglecta)
How to use it: The young leaves of the mallow can be added to salads, either raw or cooked. You can also make use of it as a stew thickener. Additionally, the flowers can be used as a substitute for capers.
Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica)
Benefits: It helps reduce inflammation, lowers blood pressure levels, and manages sugar levels.
How to use it: To forage the weeds, make sure that you are wearing gloves since they can sting you. It is best to harvest only the top 5 leaves of each stem. Clean with running water before placing it in a large pan to boil. Once boiled, the nettle will lose its sting, which makes it edible and useful for many recipes you want to put it on.
Related: How to Cook Spring Nettles
Broadleaf Plantain (Plantago major)
Benefits: Plantain is a rich source of vitamins and minerals such as A, C, K; and calcium, iron, and magnesium. It further has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and astringent properties.
How to use it: Young plantain leaves are added to salads, boiled or steamed. Some also add them to soups just like they would for any other dark green leafy vegetables. You can also partially chew the leaves and apply them as a poultice for rashes, bug bites, and scrapes.
Related: How to Make Anti-Inflammatory Band-Aid Using Plantain
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Benefits: This plant has many medicinal uses as it has astringent, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties among others. It also helps in blood coagulation, menstrual cycle, circulation, and digestive health.
How to use it: Make a yarrow styptic powder to stop bleeding by applying it directly to the wound. Gather enough leaves to dry either by hanging (4-7 days) or using a dehydrator. As soon as you have the dried herbs, grind them using a coffee grinder or blender, or mortar and pestle. Store in a tightly sealed container.
To make a yarrow tea, boil 1 cup of water. Add 1 sprig of fresh yarrow and 1 tsp of mint. Remove from heat and leave alone for 20 minutes. Take out the sprig and transfer it to a cup to drink.
Related: 50 Ways to Use Yarrow
Rose (Rose spp.)
Benefits: Rose has many uses from skincare to depression and anxiety to weight loss, among many others.
How to use it: Concoct a rose petal tea by infusing 2-4 tsp of rose petals in 1 cup of boiling water. Steep for 5-15 minutes and strain. Enjoy the drink.
Related: Rose Petal Salve Recipe
Wild Violets (Viola sororia or Viola odorata)
Benefits: The leaves and flowers are extremely rich in Vitamin C. The leaves also act as a blood cleanser and contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps in the treatment of coughs and colds, varicose veins, eczema, and bug bites.
How to use it: To make a violet cough syrup, fill 1/3 of a mason jar with either fresh or dried wild violet leaves. Add cold water to soak the leaves and place them inside the fridge overnight. Simmer the mixture for 15 minutes the following morning. Strain and measure the liquid. Using very low heat, stir in raw honey and the violet liquid until thoroughly mixed. Use 2-3 parts, honey, for every 1 part violet. Do not let the mixture simmer or boil as it will destroy the benefits of honey. Pour over into a sterilized jar and cover with a lid. Store in a fridge. The syrup will last for about a month. To use, give 1-2 tsp to children and 1 tbsp to adults, 3-5 times daily.
Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum)
Benefits: Wild geranium has astringent and hemostatic abilities making them perfect for wound care and healing. The leaves and roots are also used for sore throats, hemorrhages, and cholera treatment. Some also use wild geranium to help treat diarrhea.
How to use it: To make tea, boil 2 cups of water and add 2 tbsp of dried leaves and stems. Remove from heat and steep for 10 minutes or so. You can drink up to 3 cups each day for diarrhea, inflammation, and liver health.
Sorrel (Rumex acetosa)
Benefits: Sorrel can be used to reduce pain and swelling of nasal passages, treat bacterial infections, and also acts as a diuretic.
How to use it: Sorrel leaves are edible whether you eat them raw or cooked. For eating raw, however, make sure to look for younger and tender leaves. You can use older leaves for soups and sauces. The easiest way to make a sauce out of sorrel leaves is to cook it in olive oil just like pesto.
Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)
Benefits: Mullein acts as an expectorant and antispasmodic. It also helps with ear infections, swollen glands, and bruises.
How to use it: Smoking mullein helps treat respiratory ailments. However, take note that smoking isn’t intended for long-term use. In a small bowl, grind 2 tbsp of dried mullein leaf, 2 tsp of dried thyme leaves, and 2 tsp of dried peppermint leaves. Add a spray of water enough to moist them, but not to soak. Add the blended herbs to your smoking pipe. Smoke as needed, but do not exceed every 2 hours of smoking. Smoking herbs should be limited to less than 2 weeks only, and if symptoms persist, consult your doctor.
Related: Healing Herbs You Can Smoke
Wild Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis)
Benefits: Asparagus is a great source of antioxidants. It is also a healthy food to eat for pregnant women, it improves digestive health, and lowers blood pressure.
How to use it: My most favorite way of eating asparagus is to simply microwave them with a small amount of water to make them tender. Afterward, I will season it with butter and a squeeze of lemon. Some prefer grilling it and eating it with or without sauce. The creativity depends on you!
Wild Garlic (Allium ursinum)
How to use it: The entire plant is edible and can be used. However, it is best to leave the bulb alone so as not to disturb the soil. You can use the leaves as a primary ingredient for pesto. Simply mix it with crushed walnuts, parmesan, and olive oil to create your own pesto sauce. You may also use the flowers as a dish garnish for soups and salads.
Garlic Mustard (Alliara petiolata)
Benefits: Garlic mustard is high in fiber, vitamins A, B-carotene, C, and E. It is also rich in iron, calcium, magnesium, and zinc. Moreover, it contains high levels of omega-3 fatty acids and copper.
How to use it: You can substitute the leaves of garlic mustard instead of basil in your favorite pesto recipe. Or you may also toss it on your salads if you want to have it raw.
Burdock (Arctium)
Benefits: Mostly, it is the burdock root that is used for medicinal purposes as it is known to help manage diabetes, prevent infections, purifies the blood, and reduces inflammation. It also has antioxidant and diuretic effects. But of course, you can also make use of the leaves and stalks if you want to.
How to use it: To make burdock tea, add 1 tsp of dried burdock root to a teacup. Pour 1 cup of boiling water and steep for 5-8 minutes depending on how strong you like the tea. Strain and enjoy the drink.
Catnip (Nepeta cataria)
Benefits: Catnip tea is useful in treating anxiety and nervousness. It also helps with insomnia, indigestion, cramping, and gas. This amazing medicinal plant has also been used as a diuretic, and as a remedy for arthritis, fever, coughs, and hives.
How to use it: Add 2 tsp of dried catnip leaves or flowers in a cup. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over the herbs. Add lemon juice and honey to taste. Steep for 10 to 15 minutes, and drain.
Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca)
Benefits: Motherwort acts as a uterine stimulant and helps ease menopausal symptoms. It also improves heart health by easing palpitations and irregularities. Most people use motherwort for its anti-anxiety effect.
How to use it: You can make use of fresh or dried flowers in salads and soups. For a motherwort decoction, finely chop ½ cup of fresh motherwort root. Add it to a stainless steel pot with 3 cups of water. Bring to a boil. Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes. Strain into a mug. This can be stored in the fridge for 2 days. You can drink 1 to 3 cups daily.
Takeaway
Foraging medicinal plants is an inexpensive way to help with several ailments. These natural remedies are the gifts of Mother Nature to us. However, one should be cautious when foraging, especially when identifying the plants you want to forage. Make sure that you do not forage poisonous and toxic plants. Also, avoid harvesting plants that you are unsure of since some may be laced with chemicals unknown to you. We should be responsible enough not to harm the soil and the plants themselves while foraging.
It is also important to know the different side effects and contraindications of these plants. Some people with underlying medical conditions and those who are pregnant need to be cautious in using these remedies. That is why it is always best to consult your doctor before starting any of these natural remedies to ensure that they do not pose harm to your health.
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10 Comments
Hi there my name is Terry Buddell I bought the online version of your lost Herbs boo, which is great, by the way,However its too long to download and read and awkward to read on line or on my phone…I see you had a hard copy in the kitchen on your advert,What do I have to do to obtain the hard copy real book version, Id really love a copy !!!
Hi Terry,
Thank you for supporting our work.
Please check your email address. I have sent you an email with more information about your book order.
God bless!
How many of these are listed in The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods?
OMG!!! best purchase i made this summer. i already went out with my kids to look for mushrooms and found some super rare reishi! i so recommend it!
Can someone tell me about benefits of moringa?
Hi Suna,
Thank you so much for your comment.
You can find more information in the article below:
https://thelostherbs.com/moringa/
I too am looking for a hard copy of The Foragers Guide to Wild Foods. I live in the mountains of western Montana and recognize many medicinal plants, but I don’t really know that much about foraging fir edibles. Do you have a website? I love my The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies
Hi Evelyn,
Thank you so much for your interest in our work.
The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods is available both in digital and physical copy. It comes with 3 digital-only Bonuses: Wilderness Survival Guide, Healing Yourself at Home with Household Items, and 104 Lost Foods Items that Can Be Used for Survival.
You can purchase the book using this link below:
https://www.digistore24.com/redir/391224/globalbro/corinamail
God bless!
Hello, I have a question. It sounds crazy, but , Is it safe to eat the plantains that grow natural in my yard? I think the lawn service uses pesticides and weed killer and I’m sure it’s not the most natural of remedies. They always grow back but how long is the soil effected by the poison?
Can I plant and grown my own? What source?
hi! Question-I noticed that you don’t include Asiatic dayflower in your book! Even though easily collected and is edible and medicinal! Any particular reason why not?
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