Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine

by Rosalee de la Foret, Emily Han

That's not a weed--it's a healing meal! Learn how to use wild plants for food and medicine in this illustrated guide from two expert herbalists.

Millions of people are interested in natural or alternative health--but many of them are missing out on the most important ingredient: Nature itself!

Wild Remedies inspires readers to rekindle their connection with nature by identifying, tending, and harvesting the plant medicine they find growing around them. Experts Rosalee de la Forêt and Emily Han explain the benefits of 25 commonly found wild plants, many of which are also easy to grow. Readers will also find a wealth of recipes, remedies, crafts, and activities to bring the healing and transformative powers of these herbs to life.

After reading Wild Remedies, readers will view their lawns, parks, community gardens, and other natural spaces in a whole new way. Instead of "weeds," they will see delicious foods like Dandelion Maple Syrup Cake, Nettle Frittata, and Mallow and Quinoa Patties. They will also begin to revel in nature's medicine chest as they make remedies like herbal oils, salves, teas, and more.

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature, Health, Gardening, Plants, Food, Reference

424 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 7, 2020

Reviews

[Sherri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A look at plants we often associate as weeds that are actually beneficial to us. Good writing and informative without being too clinical.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wild Remedies is a different kind of book: it offers a bio of sorts on common wild plants that also serve as medicinal and edible gifts to humans. The authors back up these uses with a scientific sources so that readers can follow through with additional research. This, more than anything else, makes this book credible and useful.

There is so much undocumented and scientifically wrong information on using plants as remedies that as a home herbalist, I mostly disregard any claims that are not supported by scientific research. I do respect historical uses and that is another benefit of this book: the authors offer a glimpse into the past medicinal applications. Add a recipe or three for each plant and the book becomes an amazing learning tool.

What really makes this book different is its important message about our relationship with the natural world. We are part of nature, not above it and our role is to honor and protect the plants and their ecological roles. The authors have done a superb job of introducing the concepts of reciprocity and gratitude for beginning herbalists.

Even as an experienced herbalist, I was able to find plenty of new research and recipes to try. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning how to use and appreciate wild plants as remedies.

[Mariah Everett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is super empowering, informative and helpful. I'm already beginning to use this book practically, and look forward to committing much of it to memory as I work with plants in the future. So many new recipes to try! I appreciate how the book has been organized. The index is especially helpful for looking up specific health issues and appropriate chapters. Easily one of the best books I've read in a while and one that opens up a whole new area of interest for me ❤️❤️❤️

[Hazel Bright · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a charming concept, but extremely repetitive in its exhortations to go and ask a billion other people about things. Literally every chapter tells you to go and ask elders, community members, university extension centers, etc. about whatever it is that they are talking about. I already know that one book is not the be-all/end-all. This is supposed to be a reference book. A reference book doesn't repeatedly tell you that they don't have the answer. They give you the answers that they have and then they shut up.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

So informative!

I've completed a preliminary read-through, and will go through again and take extensive notes. There is so much information to learn from this book, and I really appreciate the way it's organized.

[Faith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is probably a good introduction to wild crafting. Personally, I found the first few chapters unbearably fluffy, but I could see how they might be useful to someone just getting their feet wet in observing ecosystems and learning about plants in the wild. The later chapters had some interesting suggestions for how to use a lot of my backyard weeds that I’ve long known were edible but wasn’t sure what to do with, and that definitely made it worth a read for me.

[Lolz]

A beautiful book with lovely recipes for foods, teas, tinctures, and beauty products. Very readable with special emphasis on the ‘gifts’ of the plants and sustainable harvesting. Can’t wait for foraging season to begin!

[Meaghan Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I keep referring back to this book for recipes and information about the plants growing in my yard

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book for learning how to respectfully harvest herbs in the wild. I really enjoyed the detailed and intuitive approach to wild crafting that the authors encourage. They impart wisdom, resources, and reflective journal prompts in the first section of the book. The rest of the book takes you through 25 different plants, their properties, how to harvest, and fun, unique recipes for each. I love all the photos and artwork in this book. It is very engaging and inspiring! Even if you aren’t interested in wildcrafting, this book is a tremendous resource for building a proper relationship with plants, as well as to refer to for the medicinal properties and energetics of some well-known, widely used herbs.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not what I was expecting. I thought this was going to be a book on wild herbs and plants, instead I got some hippie dippie stuff on getting in touch with the earth? When we finally got to the good stuff “thus the *** star review, it was pretty good. But once again the recipes were a lot of food, I think I was looking for salves and such.

[Tobia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dieses Buch ist wirklich ein Wissensschatz und super Einstieg in die Welt des Kräutersammelns.

Der erste Abschnitt vermittelt umfangreiches Wissen über Kräuter und die Botanik im Allgemeinen.
Es werden Standorte, Bodenqualitäten und Pflanzeneigenschaften beleuchtet und Erfahrungsberichte geteilt. Abgerundet mit kleinen Gedankenanregung sollen die Motivation und individuelle Hintergründe zum Sammeln von Kräutern ergründet werden. Und damit auch ein wertschätzendes Verständnis der Natur gegenüber entwickelt werden. Nicht nur nehmen sondern auch zurückgeben.
des Weiteren gibt der erste Teil des Buches Informationen zu Ausrüstung, die man fürs Ernten und Verarbeiten der Kräuter benötigt.

Mir persönlich haben die Informationen über die Grundlagen der Botanik gefallen. Ich wusste fast nichts darüber und das Lernen über die verschiedenen Blattformen und die Kategorisierung der Pflanzen war sehr lehrreich.

Auch die folgenden Pflanzenporträts sind so jeweils nach folgendem Schema aufgebaut:

- ein Foto mit einem Zitat über die Pflanze
- eine Auflistung von Eigenschaften wie botanischer Name, zu verwendende Teile, Energetik, Geschmack und Verwendungsmöglichkeiten
- medizinische Eigenschaften und Energetik
- Identifikation der Pflanze inklusive Verwechslungsmöglichkeiten oder Giftpflanzen
- ökologische Zusammenhänge
- Ernte
- botanische Illustration und eine Charakteristik von Lebenszyklus, Erscheinungsbild und Lebensraum
- Tipps zum Anbau und zur Kultivierung
- wie die Pflanze zu verwenden ist
- 2-5 Rezepte

Hier ist eine Liste der im Buch enthaltenen Pflanzen: Vogelmiere, Löwenzahn - Blatt und Blüte, Wilder Senf, Brennnessel, Wegerich, Veilchen, Holunderblüte, Melisse, Minze, Kleine Braunelle, Johanniskraut, Schafgarbe, Apfel, Brombeere und Himbeere, Holunder, Königskerze, Portulak, Klette, Löwenzahn - Wurzel, Sonnenhut, Hagebutte, Zitrusfrüchte, Pappel, immergrüne Nadelbäume, Weide

Fazit: Ich bin sehr froh diese Buch in meinem Besitz zu haben. Ich habe viele der Rezepte markiert zum nachmachen und werde das Buch häufig zu Hand nehmen und nachzulesen. Die Aufteilung nach Saison macht wirklich sinn und ist hilfreich.
Ich mag auch die schöne Aufmachung des Buches. Verschiede Bereich sind visuell anders gestaltet, so dass man schnell findet Wohnach man sucht und es lockert die Textpassagen gut auf. Das Lesebändchen ist ebenfalls sehr hilfreich.

Disclaimer: Das Buch wurde mir vom Verlag zur Verfügung gestellt. Meine Meinung ist unbeeinflusst davon.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book, not only is it a beautiful book to look at, there is a huge amount of information and it is comprehensive, well laid out and a great teacher - you can use it as a workbook too. I have just started in my foraging journey and am blown away by how valuable all the weeds I see in my garden and on my walks truly are. Wild Remdies is an excellent reference and a joy to read. I do not live in US but all of the plants used are very common and readily visible in Ireland. I highly recommend this book.

[Felicity Fields · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing in this book is warm and intimate, and I loved the recipes and descriptions of what each place could be used for.

I'm brand new to the idea of foraging. While this book was a great overview, I wouldn't recommend it as a first book for most folks. The exception would be if you want to read about individual plants - the illustrations, descriptions, how to use in your daily life, and recipes are excellent.

[Cheryl Folland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has changed my life and I don't say that lightly. It's helped me learn just how many of the plants that grow naturally in my front and back yard are not only NOT WEEDS but are medicinal and high sources of nutrients in a bio available form vs a synthetic tablet. This is one of my go to resources when working with plants on Vancouver Island and has cracked open a whole new connection to the land. Thank you so much for this work and the accessibility of its contents.

[Ailuro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. There is so much information to include: energetics, properties, medicinal uses, food prep, and my favorite--- ecological connections. Ecology is probably one of the most important things we can learn, in my opinion, because it teaches us how everything fits in with one another. I'm grateful that Rosalee added this section to a medicinal plants book.
Book: five glittery stars.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t been disappointed yet by Rosalee de la Foret! This is a great guide to foraging for both medicine and meals, in fact your meals should be involved in your medicinal treatments. Rosalee offers good basic information on how to do that. In combination with her Alchemy of Herbs, you’ll have a wealth of information at you fingertips!

[Cherie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best herbal books I've read in a while; if you had to buy one, this would be a good one. I loved how the common herbs are laid out, the recipes for food are nice, but the medicines are the best and actually things I could do. Really loved this one.

[Barbara Beebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the wild

I appreciate the research that went into this book. I found the descriptions easy to understand and the pictures were very helpful. Thank you ladies for the many recipes.

[SK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reference book for herbs and wild crafting. Includes lots of easy recipes and ways to use wild herbs and foods.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The pictures were lovely, the information solid and all there. The seasonal aspect was really cool. I really like this book and recommend it for anyone interested in herbalism or plants in general.

[Cass 10e · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible! Fun, entertaining, not the usual everyday recipes. Easy to understand and joyful too! I loved this book!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative, innovative, great resource.

[Sandra Easter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great wild plant reference.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic herbal information, photos, harvesting, IDing plants, beautiful illustrations and recipes! I really enjoyed the intro chapters and journaling opportunities to help with your herbal journey. I have borrowed this book from the library 2 summers in a row, and at some point, I will have to own a copy on my nature bookshelf!

[Author]

A book that is packed full of useful information. A keeper and one I shall be dipping in and out of on a regular basis.

[Alex Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wild Remedies is a book about foraging for wild plant medicines. It begins with a substancial section on understanding your bio region, getting to know plants, and ethical harvesting. Its set up like a course with prompts for you to journal about.
The rest of the book looks at 25 common medicinal plants arranged by the season you would harvest them. A chapter is dedicated to each plant and talks about them botanically, medicinally and ecologically. Each chapter includes a collection of recipes to make food, tea, salves and sodas.

This book is perfect for a beginner, its thorough and easy to follow.

[Arthur J · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is in my library, where I consult with it regularly. It is well-written, and I am glad I purchased it.

[Angela HS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous book. The authors’ passion for the natural world comes through on every page. I gained a newfound respect for the medicinal plants that are actually all around us. There are a few I’ve noticed around my neighborhood, and they now feel like friendly faces when I pass by.

[Nancy Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read and understand book of herbal remedies, each herb has several photos, a list of uses and a few recipes. The herbs are listed by seasons: I was able to pick and dry a few herbs this spring. If you want an easy-to-understand book, this is great!