Thursday, August 24, 2017

Yarrow, Queen Anne's Lace, and Chicory


For the past few years, I have been trying to make my property more self-sufficient, transplanting edible and medicinal plants when I can. In Braving the Storm, those at the cabin do the same thing by transplanting thorny brush around the tree line as a nearly invisible barrier against intruders...and good thing they did...

**As always, be 100% sure you have identified a plant correctly before consuming it in any way and consult a physician before introducing any new medicines, herbal or otherwise.**

Yarrow

Today, I was fortunate enough to transplant some yarrow into my flower bed. Yarrow has many medicinal benefits including healing wounds and anti-inflammatory properties. Bryan would be super excited to stock his medicine bag with this handy little plant!

Learn more about yarrow here: https://www.thepracticalherbalist.com/holistic-medicine-library/yarrow-the-wound-healer/?option=com_content&view=section&id=8&Itemid=55

And here: https://whisperingearth.co.uk/2011/09/28/the-multiple-benefits-and-uses-of-yarrow/

A yarrow plant in full bloom. It is not only beautiful but has a lovely aroma!

Queen Anne's Lace

You probably see this flower all the time on the side of the road and never gave it another thought, but did you know that Queen Anne's Lace is an edible and medicinal wild flower related to carrots? If you pull up the plant and scratch the root, it actually smells like carrots! You can also use the leaves to ward off infections. Bryan will be looking forward to the leaves in the summer, and I can already smell the delicious aroma of the stew Steve could make with some of the roots, wild chives, and fresh deer or rabbit!

Learn more about Queen Anne's Lace here: http://www.motherearthliving.com/gardening/herb-to-know-queen-annes-lace


**Make sure that the area in which this plant is harvested has not been sprayed with any chemicals!**

Queen Anne's Lace is known for the small, red or purple spot in the center of the flower.

The flower will grow in bunches. You will see Queen Anne's Lace and Chicory growing together everywhere in the summer!

Chicory

In Braving the Storm, Chloe suggested that they stretch out their coffee supply by adding chicory root, a common practice in some parts of Louisiana and in other parts of the world. This common plant has several edible and medicinal properties. Check out more about this plant here:  https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/health-benefits-of-chicory.html

*Please note that this plant has some warnings for pregnant and breastfeeding women as well as those prone to gallstones and some flower allergies.*

I was lucky enough to find purple and blue chicory flowers growing side by side.
These are both young plants. Chicory can grow to be several feet tall in the wild.
I hope you enjoyed a couple of my finds :) I had already posted these on my facebook page a while back, but I'm trying to get everything moved over to here. I have another post of just springtime plants while I will have to post soon as well.

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