Never ingest anything you have not positively identified.
For practice with proper plant identification, go on a guided plant ramble or use a reliable field guide such as, Identifying and Harvesting Edible and Medicinal Plants by “Wildman” Steve Brill, or Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Please harvest responsibly and review this Wildcrafting Checklist by Howie Brounstein who reminds us, “Wildcrafting is stewardship.”
Click on each photo for more detailed information.
Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus)
September 1, 2014
These grow all around the Atlanta area. The buds are delicious addition to any salad!
Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia)
September 1, 2014
Despite its reputation as a wicked allergen, Ragweed is also one of our best anti-histamines! As it is the pollen which creates the allergic reaction, we tincture the above ground plant before flowering. This is one of two kinds that grow in the Atlanta area.
Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia)
September 1, 2014
The cut leaves are where it gets its species name “artemisiifolia” as they resemble the leaves of the Artemisia genus.
Great Ragweed (Ambrosia trifida)
September 1, 2014
This is the other species of Ambrosia we have in Atlanta. It is quite a giant compared with the A. artemisiifolia. This stand near my house is over10 feet tall.
Selfheal (Prunella vulgaris)
September 1, 2014
This low growing member of the mint family is a European transplant, used mainly for wound care. The dried herb, steeped as a tea makes a quick and easy wash or gargle.
Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis)
September 1, 2014
These jewelweed plants are getting a little leggy in the dog days of summer, but still can be used to soothe what stings you. A traditional remedy for poison ivy and other bites and irritations, this plant (flowers, leaves, and herb) when crushed makes a cooling goo. Simply squish and apply. Another way to prepare is to juice and then pour into ice cube trays. With these in your freezer, you have the cooling power of jewelweed anytime of year.
Kudzu (Pueraria lobata)
September 1, 2014
Pollination in action!
Poke Berry (Phytolacca americana)
September 4, 2013
Poke poking through a fence. This impressive poke forest is just across the street from the High Museum on Peachtree. Poke is a powerful lymphatic and to be used in small parts in larger formulas. The part I use is the root, tinctured in the fall.
Kudzu (Pueraria lobata)
September 7, 2014
Harvesting kudzu flowers with Oscar and Deb. While kudzu does grow all over Atlanta, this was the third patch we had to visit that day to get enough flowers in the right conditions. It takes a while to find the right spot. Wildcrafting should be enjoyable. Take your time.
Kudzu (Pueraria lobata)
September 7, 2014
Weight to volume method. With all of the wondrous variability in herbal medicine, I like using measurements to help me guestimate my medicines strength. Of course, final determination of a medicines properties also comes from using our senses!
Kudzu Bug
September 7, 2014
Wildcrafting is buggy work. This is the kudzu bug, and he loves nothing more than hanging out on the kudzu flowers. When you first come home with your harvested material, it is a good idea to lay things out on a large cloth and give the bugs some time to escape 🙂
Kudzu (Pueraria lobata)
September 7, 2014
Garbling (sorting and cleaning) our kudzu harvest. That day’s tea was brought to you by the letter “L” (lavender, lemongrass, and lemon.)
Kudzu (Pueraria lobata)
September 7, 2014
For an experiment we set up a glycerine tincture. [1:3, 100% Glycerine] Seems logical to have a non-alcoholic option for those wishing to use kudzu to support their withdrawal from alcohol. Of course, there are many other uses for kudzu, so the alcoholic tincture will also be useful.
Poke (Phytolacca americana)
September 7, 2014
It is traditionally the root of this common plant that is used in herbal medicine. We harvest in the fall and use it as a lymphatic in very low doses. When I have blended it into a formula, it may only amount to around 1/10th of the total formula (i.e. 5 ml in a 120 ml bottle blend.)
Reishi (Ganoderma sp.)
September 10, 2012
Reishi has a long history of use in the Chinese Materia Medica. Used to soothe the Shen and also as an adaptogen, Reishi has a wide range of application. ~
Persimmon (Diospyros sp.)
September 10, 2012
YUMMY! There are persimmon trees all over Atlanta.
Persimmon (Diospyros sp.)
September 10, 2012
The fruit can be a bit camouflaged, since it is green like the leaves and turns orange at the same time as the fall weather turns the leaves.
Persimmon (Diospyros sp.)
September 10, 2012
Such distinctive bark.
Spice Bush (Lindera benzoin)
September 10, 2012
This is one of the few “spices” that grow natively here. The whole plant is aromatic, but particularly the berries which ripen in late summer / early fall. ~
Kudzu (Pueraria lobata)
September 28, 2013
Curled around a large ragweed, kudzu is a late beautiful bloomer. Here in the south, we spend so much time frustrated by prolific kudzu, that we don’t often take a moment to appreciate it’s beauty. These purple spikes of pea family flowers (banner, wings, and keel) have a sweet aroma and make a delicate jelly.
Goldenrod (Solidago sp)
September 28, 2013
These brilliant yellow members of the Asteracea family signal the end of summer. There are many different species of goldenrod and are used interchangeably. The leaves and flowering tops tinctured fresh or dried for a tea make a useful and abundant diuretic.