Foraging, Folk Herbalism, Edible Weeds + Inspiration for a Slow Life

More about Nettle - after sooo many questions on yesterday's post, here's some more info & answers: The Sting Nettle is covered in tiny lit...

Gathering fresh season Stinging Nettle (Urtica Dioica). Yes, this is that plant that packs a mighty sting & causes itchniess & a burning s...

Did you know that the young green seedheads of Narrowleaf Plantain (Plantago Lanceolate) taste just like mushroom? Well they do. Just pick the fres...

~ Watercress ~ (Nasturtium officinale) What a delight to find fresh watercress growing in the stream the other day, the perfect addition to our hom...

Usnea barbata a.k.a. Angi angi in Aotearoa.   2/3rds of the land where we are staying is covered in native forest, and it's dripping with an a...

Cleavers Infusion Recipe Gather a large handful of fresh cleavers. Ensure they’re clean and pick out any bits of dirt or stray twigs. Roughly chop ...

~ Gorse ~ (Urex Europaeus)   Gorse flowers have an interesting slight coconut / vanilla flavor with floral hints. They can be used in wild br...

~ Sweet Violet ~ (Viola Odorata / Viola Sororia) aka 'Common' or 'English' violet Sweet little Violets bloom from the depths of winter into ea...

Puha, Rauriki, Sonchus Oleraceous 'Puha' is a Sow Thistle from the Sonchus family.  It’s a very common misconception that ‘Puha’ is native to New Z...

Preparing Walnut husks for natural dyeing. The husks create a deep, rich, brown color, & the natural colorant 'juglone' creates a 'substan...

I was delighted to discover an entire field full of Chamomile ripe for picking, not far from home. The kids frolicked and gathered, and even played...

Marinated Wood Ear mushrooms   This week in between torrential rain & piping hot sun, I took my kids into the bush, where I expected to,...