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Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com www.TheCatoctinBanner.com The Catoctin Banner Newspaper December 2016 Page 33
Christine Schoene Maccabee
On The Wild Side so having a good wild edible book on free elsewhere. I always dry as much
hand, or a person who has experience, as I can for the winter....things like
Foraging for Food and is critical. Over many years I have mullein, coltsfoot and yarrow for
Medicine in a Wild Garden gained much from some excellent colds and congestion and fennel,
books which I have in my library. hyssop, lemon balm, vervain and
Behold, I have given you every herb that yields seed, Being curious is imperative as well as peppermint for digestion. It is tedious
which is on the face of the Earth...I have given every staying open to trying new things. Of work gathering the flowers of St.
course, knowledge about these plants John’s wort and chamomile for
green herb for food and for healing. is not new; it is old, even ancient. depression, but well worth it as they
Fortunately, there are still a few of make soothing teas, especially during
— the Creator us around who care, even dare, to stressful times.
continue to learn the old ways.
To say I have taken the words in I look for it in various places I I mix and match my herbs
the above quote seriously is putting have not yet planted, and since I Is such old knowledge about wild depending on my need, mood or
it lightly. Ever since I began my allow its seeds to spread willynilly, plants being lost forever? As we desire for a certain flavor. Tonight
exploration of design in nature (my I usually am able to spot many a humans destroy more and more wild I am having a tea of fennel, St. J’s
art form is pressed flora), I began good specimen. I also allow another areas, are we destroying precious Wort, peppermint and coneflower
exploring the uses of these plants wild edible called ground cherry to plant diversity which in turn depletes (for immune system) flavored with
as well, and there are thousands if grow where it will, so I can harvest diversity of insects and seeds for just a touch of honey. I will sip it, try
not millions of plants, uses of which its lantern-like husks in the fall. The birds, etc.? I believe we are playing my best not to worry about anything,
botanists are still exploring. So I am berry is in the lantern, and must be a dangerous game of dominoes, and and let the herbs work their magic on
in good company! brownish or yellow before eating. It humans will be the last to fall. this chilly evening.
has a delightful sweet flavor.
Euell Gibbons, the rather famous, On a more positive note, I always I feel tremendously blessed to have
if not eccentric, botanist back in the This autumn, I am adding wild look forward to making wonderful these wonderful natural herbs which
60’s foraged for many wild edibles edible chickweed to my salads of teas from wild herbs I have gleaned were put here by the Creator for our
throughout his life. In his book, spinach, lettuce, parsley and tah tsai from my gardens. Many of these health and our healing. Now it is
Stalking the Wild Asparagus, he which are presently growing in my herbs were already here when I our turn to preserve them and our
discovered that lambs quarters has cold frames just outside the back arrived 27 years ago, while some precious planet, for “it is Good!”
more vitamins than spinach, kale, door. Chickweed, even though recent I simply bought or found growing
and most common garden greens. frosts, is still growing in areas under Enjoy the Season!
My lambs quarters are long gone trees which protect them. Some
now, but in the summer its leaves and chickweed is growing in between my Christine is a member of Thurmont’s Green Team and a Master Habitat
some of the stems, when steamed, are spinach in the cold frame and so I Naturalist. She would be happy to help you with habitat, particularly plant
absolutely succulent. It is my favorite may still have it through the winter. ID, on your own property and can be reached at songbirdschant@gmail.com.
wild green. Sadly, most gardeners and It has a pleasant woody flavor, and
farmers plow it under these days, or I love it. The edible type has smooth
throw it over the fence to their hogs. leaves, unlike its cousins which
Some healthy hogs! have tiny hairs, no flavor, and to be
avoided.
I began eating lambs quarters
back in the 70’s and have not It is important to know how to
stopped. Every spring and summer, identify the various edibles correctly,
Christine Schoene Maccabee
On The Wild Side so having a good wild edible book on free elsewhere. I always dry as much
hand, or a person who has experience, as I can for the winter....things like
Foraging for Food and is critical. Over many years I have mullein, coltsfoot and yarrow for
Medicine in a Wild Garden gained much from some excellent colds and congestion and fennel,
books which I have in my library. hyssop, lemon balm, vervain and
Behold, I have given you every herb that yields seed, Being curious is imperative as well as peppermint for digestion. It is tedious
which is on the face of the Earth...I have given every staying open to trying new things. Of work gathering the flowers of St.
course, knowledge about these plants John’s wort and chamomile for
green herb for food and for healing. is not new; it is old, even ancient. depression, but well worth it as they
Fortunately, there are still a few of make soothing teas, especially during
— the Creator us around who care, even dare, to stressful times.
continue to learn the old ways.
To say I have taken the words in I look for it in various places I I mix and match my herbs
the above quote seriously is putting have not yet planted, and since I Is such old knowledge about wild depending on my need, mood or
it lightly. Ever since I began my allow its seeds to spread willynilly, plants being lost forever? As we desire for a certain flavor. Tonight
exploration of design in nature (my I usually am able to spot many a humans destroy more and more wild I am having a tea of fennel, St. J’s
art form is pressed flora), I began good specimen. I also allow another areas, are we destroying precious Wort, peppermint and coneflower
exploring the uses of these plants wild edible called ground cherry to plant diversity which in turn depletes (for immune system) flavored with
as well, and there are thousands if grow where it will, so I can harvest diversity of insects and seeds for just a touch of honey. I will sip it, try
not millions of plants, uses of which its lantern-like husks in the fall. The birds, etc.? I believe we are playing my best not to worry about anything,
botanists are still exploring. So I am berry is in the lantern, and must be a dangerous game of dominoes, and and let the herbs work their magic on
in good company! brownish or yellow before eating. It humans will be the last to fall. this chilly evening.
has a delightful sweet flavor.
Euell Gibbons, the rather famous, On a more positive note, I always I feel tremendously blessed to have
if not eccentric, botanist back in the This autumn, I am adding wild look forward to making wonderful these wonderful natural herbs which
60’s foraged for many wild edibles edible chickweed to my salads of teas from wild herbs I have gleaned were put here by the Creator for our
throughout his life. In his book, spinach, lettuce, parsley and tah tsai from my gardens. Many of these health and our healing. Now it is
Stalking the Wild Asparagus, he which are presently growing in my herbs were already here when I our turn to preserve them and our
discovered that lambs quarters has cold frames just outside the back arrived 27 years ago, while some precious planet, for “it is Good!”
more vitamins than spinach, kale, door. Chickweed, even though recent I simply bought or found growing
and most common garden greens. frosts, is still growing in areas under Enjoy the Season!
My lambs quarters are long gone trees which protect them. Some
now, but in the summer its leaves and chickweed is growing in between my Christine is a member of Thurmont’s Green Team and a Master Habitat
some of the stems, when steamed, are spinach in the cold frame and so I Naturalist. She would be happy to help you with habitat, particularly plant
absolutely succulent. It is my favorite may still have it through the winter. ID, on your own property and can be reached at songbirdschant@gmail.com.
wild green. Sadly, most gardeners and It has a pleasant woody flavor, and
farmers plow it under these days, or I love it. The edible type has smooth
throw it over the fence to their hogs. leaves, unlike its cousins which
Some healthy hogs! have tiny hairs, no flavor, and to be
avoided.
I began eating lambs quarters
back in the 70’s and have not It is important to know how to
stopped. Every spring and summer, identify the various edibles correctly,
