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The collection of wild herbs and plants can be a fun exercise for the entire family to share. It is done at various times of the year, so it also furnishes an excuse to get away from the hustle and bustle of day to day life.

Note: For this discussion, I'm using the word "herb" to mean any medicinal or edible plant, including in some instances, shrubs, bushes, or trees.

It is very important to be able to properly identify the herb or plant. Some plants that are safe, look similar to those that aren't. For instance, Queen Anne's Lace (Wild Carrot) is somewhat similar in appearance to Water Hemlock. But while Queen Anne's Lace is a good medicinal herb, Water Hemlock is poisonous.

Many agricultural extension offices and community colleges offer classes in plant identification. There are also some very good field guides. If using a field guide, however, pay special attention to plants that look similar and that grow in a similar area. When in doubt, don't use the herb. If possible, go gleaning with someone who has experience in gathering the particular herb you are looking for.

Most herbalist guides such as those found on the internet will include the time of year to gather a particular herb, what parts are used, and preferred method of preparation for storage. These are all important aspects of collecting herbs, and it is for this reason that I recommend collecting no more than 2-3 kinds of herbs per outing. This will give you far less to have to remember.

Collection times vary widely for different kinds of herbs. This depends largely on the active ingredients in the plant, and when they will be concentrated in the part that is collected. Some plants are best collected in the spring, some in the summer, some in the fall, and even a few in the winter, while others can be collected at any time.

As a general rule, time of day to collect is also of some importance. In most cases, the best time is in the morning, before the heat of the day that can wither the plant and make collection uncomfortable, but after the morning dew (if there is any) has burned off, so that the plants don't break down or become moldy from moisture.

I recommend wearing gloves during collection. You will also want a sharp pair of scissors or a sharp knife, or both, and some zip-lock bags for storage and transporting. Do not mix different kinds of plants together, as this often makes identification difficult. If you are collecting roots, a shovel or spade are very helpful.

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