My favorite part of being an herbalist is identifying plant friends wherever I go. Some of the most powerful plant allies live all around us. Who would have thought that I could improve my life with the dandelion growing in the backyard, the rose hips along the mountain trails, the plantain in an abandoned parking lot, or the Grindelia along my favorite mountain bike trail? As you start to identify more and more plants, it is so tempting to harvest every plant you see. It is important to be aware of your impact on the plant population and its larger ecosystem. Wild harvesting is a wonderful way to obtain your herbs, but do so in a sustainable way, to ensure the future survival of the plants.
Subtle lessons
When I first started identifying plants in the wild, I remember feeling a little selfish. I was taking a hike here in Colorado and found a large piece of rose hip (the berry-like hip that develops once the petals fall from a rose). I had just discovered the magic of rosehip: its amazing ability to keep our skin radiant, its soothing properties for our intestines and organs, and its abundant amounts of vitamin C and flavonoids to keep our immune system strong. I wanted to grab every juicy red hip I saw! Fortunately, a herbalist friend of mine helped me think about the negative effects of overharvesting. Rose hips are not only a great source of nutrition for humans, but they are also useful for birds and other critters. Animals eat these sweet, tart rose hips, and their dung helps disperse the seeds. Rose hips serve as a food source for animals and as a means of reproduction, serving as an important reminder of the interconnectedness of the ecosystem. Not only would my wild harvesting immediately undermine the population, it would also have a cascading impact. Take what you need, leave the rest.
Another lesson in sustainable wild harvesting is to perhaps not harvest at all. A friend of mine had some yarrow growing wild on their property and offered me some to take home and transplant. I was thrilled to have Wild Yarrow growing in my garden! However, within a week the plant had shriveled and had little chance of survival. I quickly realized that some plants are happy and designed to be exactly where they are. When I find yarrow in the wild, I simply place a small flower on my tongue to stimulate digestion and strengthen and strengthen my tissues. Experience its powerful benefits and leave it for future use.
Sustainable practices
When harvesting from the wild, there are several factors to consider: How big is the patch? Can you take a small amount of plant material without impacting the nature around you? Can you harvest a part of the plant that does not affect the plant’s life cycle, such as a few leaves or flowers, instead of a root? Is this a perennial or annual plant? Take a moment to think about all the ways you can change your behavior to get what you need while still respecting the plant.
A great way to reduce your impact is to make flower essences. Making flower essences requires only a very small amount of plant material. Flower essences are classified as an energy medicine and are made by adding a small amount of plant compound to water and leaving the mixture in the sun. The infused water is then added to an alcohol, such as brandy. The entire process uses much less plant material than other forms of extraction. The effects are subtle, but sometimes that’s all you need: a subtle energy shift. Flower essences are not for everyone, but still an engaging and more sustainable way to experience the benefits of herbs.
Finally, it is crucial to avoid endangered species. United Plant Savers is an organization committed to protecting native medicinal plants while ensuring renewable populations for use by future generations. They have a running one research identify at-risk species. Be sure to check the list before harvesting. See you in the wild!
References
Gem Boehm-Reifenkugel (she/her) is an herbalist on our customer journey and social outreach team. Gem has been self-educating about nutrition for years and recently received a certificate in medical herbalism from the Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism. She strives to make herbs accessible to everyone and spread knowledge about our powerful plant allies to the community.
For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or to sell any product.
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