Forager’s guide

Red clover is a gentle, abundant plant long associated with nourishment, balance and women’s health. This entry explores its role in folk tradition, modern hormonal research, ecological importance and why red clover is best understood as a steady companion rather than a forceful remedy.

Echinacea is a plant of readiness rather than routine. Traditionally used at moments of challenge rather than as a daily tonic, this entry explores echinacea’s bold character, its Indigenous roots, modern immune research, and why timing matters as much as preparation when working with this widely known herb.

Liberty caps occupy a unique place at the intersection of culture, mental health and modern scientific research. This entry explores their symbolism, historical context and the growing body of clinical research into psilocybin, while maintaining clear ethical and legal boundaries.

Rose hips are the nutrient-rich fruits of wild roses, traditionally gathered for winter nourishment. Firm, resilient and sustaining, they reflect preparation, endurance and long attention.

Rose petals are delicately fragrant flowers traditionally used for emotional balance, gentle teas and sensory nourishment. Fleeting and soft, they reflect care through presence rather than intensity.

Lemon balm is a softly aromatic herb traditionally used to support calm, mood and gentle rest. Bright and reassuring, it reflects long-term, everyday care of the nervous system.

Ginger is a warming, aromatic rhizome traditionally used to stimulate digestion, movement and vitality. Potent and immediate, it reflects deliberate use shaped by season and sensation.

Spruce tips are the fresh spring growth of spruce trees, traditionally used as food, tea and syrup. Bright, citrusy and nutrient-rich, they reflect renewal and seasonal nourishment.

Elderflower is a fragrant, seasonal blossom traditionally used in teas, cordials and gentle herbal preparations. Fleeting and aromatic, it reflects renewal, transition and careful harvesting.

Mugwort is a tall, aromatic herb traditionally associated with boundaries, digestion and ritual use. Bitter and potent, it reflects deliberate, context-driven plant relationship.

Oregano is a warm, aromatic herb traditionally used as food and household support. Valued for flavour, preservation and everyday vitality, it bridges kitchen use and modern research.

Ribwort plantain is a resilient meadow plant traditionally used for breath, skin and everyday support. Abundant and dependable, it reflects practical herbal use shaped by familiarity and care.

Self-heal is a low-growing meadow plant traditionally valued for broad, everyday support. Known for its resilience and versatility, it reflects healing through consistency rather than intensity.

Peppermint is a strongly aromatic herb traditionally used for digestion, clarity and refreshment. Widely studied and easily recognised, it bridges household use and modern research.

Chamomile is a gentle, aromatic herb traditionally used as a calming tea and soothing skin plant. Widely trusted across cultures, it reflects care, consistency and everyday use.

Wild garlic is a strongly aromatic spring plant traditionally gathered as one of the first fresh foods of the year. Valued for flavour, nutrition and seasonal renewal, it reflects food-first use grounded in abundance and care.

Fireweed is a tall, pink-flowered plant known for colonising disturbed ground. Traditionally used as a tea plant - including fermented Ivan Chai - it reflects renewal, abundance and careful seasonal use.

Raspberry leaf is a familiar hedgerow plant traditionally used as a gentle, nourishing tea. Valued for long-term, everyday use, it reflects a steady relationship shaped by cycles, consistency and care.

Raw cacao is a minimally processed form of the cacao bean, traditionally used as a bitter ceremonial drink. Valued for its mineral content, flavanols and cultural significance, it bridges ritual, nourishment and modern research.

Calendula is a bright, familiar garden flower long valued for gentle, practical skin use. Traditionally prepared as oils, balms and washes, it reflects a relationship built on consistency, accessibility and care.

Cleavers is a fast-growing, sticky spring plant traditionally used fresh as part of seasonal routines. Known for its clingy texture and gentle character, it reflects a relationship shaped by timing, simplicity and everyday use.

Birch polypore is a pale bracket fungus found almost exclusively on birch trees, long valued for its practical, functional role in woodland traditions. Used historically for external applications and simple decoctions, it reflects a relationship built on reliability rather than rarity.

Pine needles are one of the most familiar and accessible forest materials, present year-round and especially valued in winter. Traditionally used as teas and steams, they offered both nourishment and comfort when fresh plants were scarce. Rich in aromatic compounds, vitamins and minerals, pine needles continue to bridge everyday seasonal practice and modern understanding.

Young pine cones have long been gathered in early summer and preserved for slower use through the year. Traditionally worked with in syrups and honeys, they are valued for their resinous aroma, polyphenol content and seasonal rhythm rather than immediate effect. Pine cones sit firmly within tonic traditions, where patience, gentle extraction and continuity matter more than intensity.

A distinctive edible mushroom with a long history of use, Lion’s Mane has been studied for its relationship with cognitive function and nervous system health. This entry explores its identification, ecology, traditional use and human research.

A traditional hedgerow herb long associated with the heart, hawthorn blossom has a well-documented history in European herbal practice. This entry explores its identification, ecology, traditional use, and the modern research that supports its role in long-term cardiovascular care.

A distinctive beard-like lichen that grows only in clean air, usnea has a long history of traditional use in folk and wilderness practice. This entry explores identification, ecology, preparation and research context.

A low-growing woodland plant long used in European folk herbalism, Ajuga reptans has traditionally been valued for practical, external applications. This entry explores its identification, habitat, and historical use.

Layered, resilient and widespread, Turkey Tail is a familiar woodland fungus with deep roots in traditional practice. Here we explore its growth, use and evolving research context.

A slow-growing birch fungus from northern forests, chaga has a long history of traditional use. This entry explores how it grows, how it’s used, and why it’s valued as a steady forest ally.