Having just picked ‘wild greens’ — dandelion, violet, and plantain — and eaten them in a lovely lunch salad, I came across this post, quite synchronistically.
Perfect timing, and a gorgeous photo of just one of the many healthy meals you can make from … you got it … wild plants that grow around you.
This is one of several ‘reclaimed arts’ of the Wise Woman path, and a lovely way to connect with the spirit of and place where we live, as well as with the deep roots of our ancestors, who did just this very thing.
Thanks to Charlie for sharing this great intel on the humble and yet incredibly nutrient-rich dandelion and violet.
Have a look and see for yourself.
You’ll find more in a 2010 Priestess in Blue Jeans post I wrote about creating an edible lawn.
Big Love and Happy (Discerning) Foraging,
Jamie
May 14, 2015 at 11:51 am
It is a new way to see this; interesting as well.
May 14, 2015 at 2:07 pm
I love nettle tea.. and Picked myself from my special nettle patch I keep in the allotments behind the shed.. Nettles are Also very nutritious and can be added to smoothies or cooked..
Many thanks for passing along Jamie..
May 14, 2015 at 7:10 pm
Thanks, Sue. I love that you have a nettle patch near you! I still have to properly ‘meet’ nettles here in the local place. They’re among the wild ‘superfoods’ (and so many of what has been ‘banished’ as ‘wild weeds’ and sprayed with poison are actually Nature’s superfoods! … Hmmm, there’s a theme there. 😉 I did enjoy the violet leaves and hadn’t known they, too, were packed with nutrition and natural healing power. xoxo Jamie
May 14, 2015 at 7:27 pm
Yes lots of Weeds have been branded.. 🙂 and I encourage the violets in my garden.. they are such a pretty little flower also. And one of the ‘Fairies favourites’ I am sure 😉 .. Many thanks for your lovely reply.. xxx
May 14, 2015 at 2:13 pm
I love how you tie this to the “Wise Woman” path. So empowering.
May 14, 2015 at 7:10 pm
It is empowering, isn’t it? And connecting with the spirit of place and the Earth wisdom through the ‘wild plant allies’ is a really wonderful connection into the Wise Woman path. 🙂
May 14, 2015 at 9:32 pm
We used to pick dandelion greens with my Italian grandmother in the early spring, before they blossomed, of course, so they wouldn’t be bitter. I know my husband as a child helped with picking the blossoms for dandelion wine, which is a bit more complicated.
May 14, 2015 at 9:56 pm
That’s such a wonderful memory of picking dandelion greens with your grandmother, Joanne. I remember seeing the elder Chinese, Russian, and Italian women in my San Francisco neighborhood doing that and really loved that they did. As for dandelion wine, I like the idea, for haven’t a clue! 🙂
May 14, 2015 at 10:16 pm
I know you have to have just the yellow part of the blossoms – no green – when you make wine. You also needs LOTS of blossoms. My husband says he thinks the blossoms mostly give the color to the wine and the fruits that were used, including lemons and oranges, give the flavor.
May 14, 2015 at 10:33 pm
Hmmm, that sounds interesting and compelling! I’ve heard too of people who make violet wine, and one who made rose-geranium wine! I might have to experiment with that sometime. 🙂 Have you ever tasted dandelion wine?
May 15, 2015 at 12:37 am
I haven’t ever had it. I remember seeing it when I was a child, but I was too young to drink it.
May 15, 2015 at 10:08 am
The nettle tea is lovely and so are those wild greens!!!…
Very nice feature… Happy day and best wishes!. Aquileana 😀
May 15, 2015 at 11:22 am
Thank you, Aquileana. Just saying ‘wild greens’ makes my inner ancestress and Wise Woman happy. 😉 Love, Jamie