The countryside is a treasure trove of natural remedies, with the UK having a rich history of herbal medicine dating back centuries. As we rediscover the power of nature’s pharmacy, it’s fascinating to explore the healing potential of plants growing right on our doorstep. Join me on an exciting journey…
Journal
My heart still skips a beat when I think about the magical world of medicinal plants growing wild around us. Just imagine – countless generations before us have tapped into this natural pharmacy, gathering remedies from trees and meadows for thousands of years! Let me share something wonderful with you…
Winter is the perfect time to embrace the magic of wild fermentation, and what better way than with a batch of Wild Winter Mead? Written by Forager Matt… It is winter my friends. The harvest is in, the sun is gone, the ancient inhabitants of this rainy isle would now…
Evening Primrose / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Edible The Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis) is a striking wildflower that graces meadows, roadsides, and coastal areas across the UK with its bright yellow, fragrant blooms. True to its name, its flowers open in the evening, attracting night-flying pollinators like moths. Beyond…
The Daisy family, scientifically known as Asteraceae, is the largest family of flowering plants in the world having over 32,000 species! It comprises mostly herbaceous plants especially in the UK, and makes up a huge portion of our most showy and valued flowers. Asteraceae is so large it’s incredibly varied,…
Dewberry/ Spring / Summer / Autumn / Edible The Dewberry is an interesting perennial relative of Blackberries and Raspberries. Dewberry is common across the Northern Europe and Eurasia. Similar species are found in North America although they typically prefer coastal locations. Common Names Dewberry Botanical Name Rubus caesius Scientific Classification…
Dog Violet /Spring / Summer / Edible The Dog Violet (Viola riviniana) is a small but beautiful wildflower that adds a splash of purple to hedgerows, woodlands, and grasslands across the UK. Unlike its scented relative, the Sweet Violet, this delicate bloom lacks fragrance, but it more than makes…
Columbine / Spring / Summer / Edible Columbine is a common and distinctive garden plant, and is often seen escaping from gardens and springing up in long grass and verges nearby. Its tall, elegantly curved stems grow up to a metre tall, supporting multi-coloured flowers and later rattling seed pods.…
Bog Myrtle/ Spring / Summer / Autumn / Edible Bog myrtle thrives in acidic boggy conditions, as the name might suggest.. It is found throughout the Northern hemisphere, From Eurasia and Japan to North America. Common Names Sweet gale, Candleberry, Moor myrtle, Botanical Name Myrica gale Scientific Classification Kingdom –…
Daffodil / Spring / Summer / Toxic The Daffodil (Narcissus species) is one of the most recognisable and beloved flowers in the UK, signalling the arrival of spring with its bright yellow and white blooms. Often found in gardens, parks, and even wild landscapes, these cheerful flowers are a symbol…