4 of 6

Write now Article Tools

Foraging for your own herbs is a wonderful way to pass time, but there are caveats that every wild stalker should know.

Remember that some herbs look very much alike. Wild Carrot is lovely, but Queen Anne's Lace is deadly and very similar looking. At the very least, purchase a good Peterson Guide for the plants in your area before you even start to forage. Better yet, take a class with someone who knows herbs. The teacher can show you how and where to recognize the best herbs for foraging. She can probably give you some good ideas on how to prepare and use your herbs.

Then, too, you have to remember that herbs, like everything else in the wild, can be endangered. Choose only the ones you know well and those you find in large patches. If you stumble upon something you really like standing alone in a clearing, pass it buy. Give it some time to spread and in a year or two you'll have more than you need.

Try to stay away from roadsides. Although, it's easiest to pick right next to a street, you'll be picking up a lot of pollution when you do.

Gather your herbs in the late morning when the dew has dried but the essence of the plant is still a strong and fresh. A good woven basket is the ideal and traditional way to carry herbs, allowing air circulation. A sharp, small knife for cutting off the plants completes the tools you'll want. Some nurseries carry a traditional herbalists knife. It has approximately a three inch blade with a wooden handle. The blade curves and has a notched end that makes it easy to snip of bits of plants without damaging the remainder.

Take the stalks home as soon as possible. Clean off any residual dirt. Then tie the herbs in bunches if they are big enough and hang them in a warm, well-aired area where the breezes can circulate around them and dry them. If the plant matter is small, either fill a clean paper bag loosely and hang that, or spread the material on a clean window screen that is suspended between two chairs or wooden horses. The nicest set up that I ever saw hung suspended from a porch ceiling by chains like a porch swing might. The idea is to allow the plants to dry away from the wind and sun but with plenty of air.

Once they are well dried, keep the material in clean and covered glass jars that are labeled with the date, name, and place you found the herb. Replace your supply yearly or if they are accidentally moistened or damaged.

Foraging is a wonderful way to spend the day and using your own herbs for cosmetics, cooking, or medicinal purposes is interesting and fun. Just remember to be careful.

Learn more about this author, Gail Dennehy.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about How to forage for herbs?
We want to hear your view. Write now!