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

~ Oak (Quercus) ~   Autumn roadtrips take twice as long, as I stop all along the roadside to collect windfallen autumn leaves from the footpat...

Usnea barbata a.k.a. Angi angi in Aotearoa.  Usnea grows on trees like an "Old Man's Beard", cascading from the trees looking much like a white bea...

~ Amanita Muscaria ~ This iconic, fairytale mushroom has been used for religious, recreational and even food for millennia. It’s use in folk me...

Stinging Nettle Harvest After years of not succeeding in getting Stinging Nettle growing well in my garden, it has finally taken root, and is g...

~ Watercress ~ (Nasturtium officinale) As I’ve been walking in & out of the bush a few times a week the last few weeks, I’ve really enjoyed gat...

~ Wild Mint ~ Mentha spp. There are so many varities of Mint in the world, all of them known for their strong, fresh, ‘minty’ smell & taste. Ap...

~ St John's Wort ~ Last month I enjoyed harvesting my own St Johns Wort. I wild harvested the seeds in Central Otago many years ago, and th...

~ Kawakawa Berries ~ For years I didn’t understand why the luscious Kawakawa at the end of my garden only produced green berries, which never r...

"Let food be thy medicine, and let medicine be thy food." Maybe not for long in NZ.... Did you know that the NZ Govt is seeking to regulate all nat...

~ Fat Hen ~ One of the most delicious and nutritious summer weeds is back on the menu! (Chenopodium Album) Aka Lambs Quarter, Wild Spinach, Pi...

Linden (Tilia spp) One of my favorite trees, I was so excited to hear that Linden grew in Greytwon where I stayed on my daughters school camp, ...

~ Self Heal (Prunella Vulgaris) ~ Self Heal is back! This pretty, summer flowering plant in the mint family, is underplanted around my fruit t...