Oyster Mushrooms are one of the easiest wild mushrooms to identify. They grow exclusively on wood, either living or dead. Do not harvest them unless clearly on wood. They also always have white or light colored gills that run down their stem. They like cool weather, so look for...
Burdock (Arctium spp) is a genus of the plant kingdom that is found all over the world with both edible and medicinal uses. Burdock and I go way back to my college days when my knowledge of the natural world grew very rapidly. The sweet smell of burdock flowers...
As fall blows in with the sudden blast of cold this past week, it’s time to start thinking about and keeping a look out for fall mushrooms. Just like plants, mushrooms are usually seasonal, with a few exceptions. You’ll see far more mushrooms in the fall than in the...
The herb I’m about to share has taken the herbal market by storm in recent years. Many people are turning to natural cures rather than prescription based ones that cause a lengthy list of hazardous side affects. The good new is with a little time learning to harvest or...
A bitters once was a common drink consumed regularly by nearly everyone in the modern world. A bitters (plural is also bitters) is traditionally an alcoholic preparation flavored with botanical matter so that the end result is characterized by a bitter, sour, or bittersweet flavor. Numerous longstanding brands of...
Late summer is a great time to harvest, harvest, harvest! My number one tip for beginners is to harvest everything you know is medicinal or edible now or the plants listed in my articles and hang them up to dry in your house. You can use them for medicine...
This time of year, I start to wonder how I can bottle up the joy and abundance of nature for the winter months. I love the hot, lazy days spent at a beach or river and the sound of cicadas in the background. Alas, summer can’t last forever. Luckily...
As someone who has bouts of insomnia, I’m always looking for something quick and easy that I can add to my daily routine and prevent night-time tossing and turning. Look no further than herbal infused honeys! You can make herbal infused honeys for many ailments and it’s easily stored,...
Chicory (Chicorium intybus) is a plant that was used during the Great Depression and World War II in Europe. You can find it blooming in the first week or two of August in Easter United States. As a bitter root, it has all kinds of health benefits such as...
Several species of wild grape (Vitis spp.) grows wild across much of the United States. The most common ones are fox grape (Vitis labrusca), summer grape (Vitis aestivalis), and riverbank grape (Vitis riparia). Be careful about identifying wild grape properly because there are several vines that you may confuse...