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Forest Foragers for your natural and wild foods, herbs, crafts and things. |
| All of our foods were at one time or other derived from wild and natural
plants. Many cultures eat as regular fare some plants which we disdain. This
is true of dandelion and amaranth as examples. All plants have nutritional
value. The problem is that some, few as a matter of fact, are poisonous as
well. I do not believe that wild animals experiment much in determining what
is edible. They learn from their parents. We are also pretty rigid and
resist trying new foods unless "educated" by the vast commercial enterprises
trying to market them. We are largely puppets of industry. Step aside from
the constant barrage of the money-brokers and commercial promoters and try
some wild and natural foods. Have you ever nibbled on a Pine needle?
It is delicious and is rich in vitamin C and A! It may be a little strong
for our domestic palate if you take a whole mouthful--but just a nibble.
American Indians survived the winter without scurvy because they ate Pine
and used it to ward off illness due to germs and viruses. Did you know that
before the enterprising food industry hired chemist to synthetically
make wintergreen, it was harvested mainly from the bark of the sweet birch
tree? This bark can also be easily made into a delicious and nutritious flour.
Goldenrod has been blamed for hayfever due to ragweed. This is unfortunate because this weed makes a great tea! Check out the Yum-yum page for great jams, jellies, candies, and other goodies to try. They are all natural and wild. |
