Article: So, You Want To Wild Craft Your Own Herbs?

[Guest guest]

Happy wild crafting!

 

*Smile*

Chris (list mom)

http://www.alittleolfactory.com

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

SO YOU WANT TO WILD CRAFT YOUR OWN HERBS?

 

People have been gathering (or " wild crafting " ) plants for centuries.

Plants have been gathered for use as medicinals, magical ingredients,

dyes, fibers, building materials and food. Wild crafting one's own herbs

can be an enjoyable and fulfilling experience. It is certainly an

educational activity and also gives us a strong sense of connection to

the earth. However, wild crafting requires a sense of responsibility as

well.

 

As practitioners of an earth-based spirituality, we must respect the

earth both spiritually and physically. We also have a responsibility to

harm none via our actions. Wild crafting offers a multi-faceted lesson

in respect and responsibility.

 

If you are considering wild crafting, or if you are currently wild

crafting, the following is a list of helpful hints and considerations.

 

1. Know your local plants by common and scientific names.

 

2. Know which plants are sensitive, threatened or endangered in

your area, and avoid harvesting them.

 

3. Gather only common plants and limit yourself to harvesting no

more than 5% of the population at hand (i.e. 1 in 20). If the area is

being actively harvested by others, be even more conservative.

 

4. Consider the needs of wildlife. Are you harvesting a critical

forage species ?

 

5. Never harvest plants in a National Park or other protected

area. Not only is this illegal, it shows a serious disrespect for

conservation efforts.

 

6. Be absolutely certain of the identity of the plant you are

harvesting. Many plants are poisonous and many harmless plants have

toxic look-alikes. If you don't know, let it grow.

 

7. It may not be necessary to kill a plant to harvest what you

need. If you only need berries, flowers or a few leaves - don't collect

the entire plant.

 

8. Gather plants carefully to avoid harvesting non-target species.

You don't want to accidentally include a few poison ivy leaves (or

worse) in a tea mix !

 

9. Consider whether you really need this plant. Never harvest

plants flippantly.

 

10. If you want to grow your own, never uproot and relocate wild

plants. You may seriously impact the plant community and - if the plant

dies - you have wasted it. Grow your herbs from seed or from legitimate

sales of native plants raised in reputable greenhouses.

 

11. How did you learn about a particular plant and it's uses? Double

check your references and make sure they are credible.

 

12. Harvest plants reverently and always give thanks for what you take.

 

 

There are numerous resources available to help one in their efforts at

wild crafting. If you have the opportunity to complete a university

level general Botany course, by all means do so. A basic understanding

of plant physiology and taxonomy will help you immeasurably.

 

If this is not an option, find a good scientific field guide. The

Audubon Society publishes a number of excellent field guides suitable

for the amateur naturalist as well as the professional biologist. I

prefer guides with color photographs of plants as opposed to hand

drawings. They are often more expensive, but tend to give a better

physical description of the plants than other guides. If a glossary of

terms is included, all the better.

 

Check to see if your state has a Native Plant Society.

Many states do. In Montana, the Native Plant Society hosts numerous

educational lectures and fieldtrips each year. They are well worth

attending.

 

Obtain lists of sensitive, endangered and threatened plant

species for your state. Check with your regional US Forest Service

Office for copies. These are official lists compiled by professional

Botanists. The plants will most likely be listed by scientific name.

Ask for clarification if necessary. Refer to your field guide as well -

a good guide should list both common and scientific names.

 

If you are collecting plants for magical purposes - always

consider your motivations and be mindful of ethics. Is there some other

way to achieve your goal without the use of a particular plant? Be sure

to research the historical uses of your prospective plant. It may have

more uses than you realize. Be mindful of deities or spirits with which

it is associated. Have a clear goal in mind for your magic. Know the

most appropriate times to harvest the plant in question for the work at

hand. Consider moon phase, planetary hours and days of the week.

 

In recent years, there has been considerable growth of interest in

herbal medicines. As a result, many plants are being harvested at a

rather high rate. There is a group called " Plant Savers " which compiles

lists of frequently harvested (and possibly at risk) medicinal plants.

Plant Savers is organized and maintained by clinical herbalists, with

input from general Botanists. It is worth perusing their lists for

familiarity's sake. Although many of the plants listed are not

currently listed with the Federal Endangered Species Act - we need to be

mindful of their harvest to ensure the safety of the wild populations.

Harvest responsibly and perhaps they may never need to be listed. Plant

Savers is located on the web at www.plantsavers.org.

<http://www.plantsavers.org/>

 

If you are not a doctor or clinical herbalist, please seek

professional guidance before experimenting with any medicinal plants.

Herbal remedies are still medications and need to be treated as such. As

with all medications, serious difficulties can arise from drug

interactions, allergies or unexpected side-effects. Do not put yourself

or others at risk.

 

Michelle Brown

 

<persephoneRC PersephoneRC