Page 111 - The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods

Self Heal/Heal-all,

Prunella vulgaris (LAMIACEAE)

SELF HEAL/HEAL-ALL, Woundwort, Carpenter’s Herb,
or Blue Curls is an herbaceous plant that grows in neu-
tral soils along woodland edges, roadsides, pasture-
lands, and in clearings. Self Heal grows in full to partial
sun to a height of 2-20 inches (5-50cm), with creeping,
self-rooting, tough, square, reddish stems branching at
leaf axis. In mowed lawns it adapts and is low-growing.
FLOWER: Small purple flowers grow from a pineap-
ple-shaped, whorled cluster about 1-2 inches (2.5-5cm)
wide and 1 inch (2.5cm) long. Tubular, snapdragon-like
flowers are two-lipped and about 0.4 inches (1cm) long.
thiamine, and tannins. It is used to relieve muscle
The top lip is a hood, and the bottom lip has 3 lobes, with
pain, for allergies, Crohn’s disease, diabetes, gastro-
the middle lobe being larger and fringed upwardly.
enteritis, headache, ulcerative colitis, and sore throat.
LEAF: Ovate leaves are ‘puckered’, serrated, and red-
HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: Leaves and stems can
dish at the tip, about 1 inch (2.5cm) long and 0.5 inches
be used raw in salads, soups, or cooked. It is bitter
(1.5cm) broad. Covered in coarse hairs, they grow in op-
when consumed raw. Taste improves when cooked,
posite pairs down the stem. Each leaf has 3-7 veins.
but loses some nutrients by cooking.
EDIBLE PARTS: young leaves and stems, whole plant
SELF-HEAL TEA: Place 1 to 2 spoonful of dried self-
(cooked as potherb)
heal leaves into a cup of hot water. Steep for one hour.
KEY MEDICINAL USES: Self Heal has antioxidant and Drink 2 or 3 cups per day.
antimicrobial properties. It contains vitamins C & K,

Sheep Sorrel/Sour Dock,
Rumex acetosella (POPLYGONACEAE)

SHEEP SORREL/SOUR DOCK, Red Sorrel, or Field Sor-
rel is native to Eurasia and the British Isles, and has
been naturalized to most of the rest of the Northern
Hemisphere. It is commonly found on acidic, sandy soils
in heaths and grassland.
FLOWER: Flowers emerge from a tall, upright stem.
Male flowers are yellowish-green and female flowers are
reddish/maroon. They develop at the apex of the stem,
on separate plants and develop into red fruits, called
achenes. Drooping flowers have 3 petals and 3 sepals Plant Image Library, CC-BY-SA-2.0
measuring 0.04-0.06 inches (1-1.5mm) long. Fruits are
HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: Sheep sorrel can be
0.7-1 inches (1.8-2.5mm) long.
used in salads, garnishes, tarts (for flavoring), and in
LEAF: Green, sword-shaped leaves are small, slightly cheese-making (works as a curdling agent for milk).
longer than 1 inch (3cm), and smooth with a pair of hor- Leaves have a lemony, tangy, rhubarb-like tart flavor.
izontal lobes at the base. Leaves and red-tinted deeply
SHEEP SORREL SOUP: Sauté diced wild garlic and
ridged stems sprout from an aggressive, spreading rhi-
onions medium heat. Add 2 cups broth and 4 cups
zome.
chopped sorrel leaves. Cook 5 min., blend and serve.
EDIBLE PARTS: whole plant (raw or cooked) Add a couple branches of purslane to thicken it.
KEY MEDICINAL USES: Sheep Sorrel is a powerful an- WARNING: People with kidney disorders should
tioxidant rich in vit. A and C. It is a diuretic used for uri- avoid eating sheep sorrel due to its high oxalate con-
nary dysfunction and edema. tent, which can cause kidney stones.

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