Foraging for Food in the Winter
Plant Name | High In: | Health Lore |
Anise | soothing, expectorant, phlegm, coughs, colds, bronchitis, anemia | |
Anise Hyssop | coughs, bronchial congestion | |
Apple | fiber | |
Arugula | ||
Asparagus | protein, vitamin A & C | |
Basil | methyl | reduces indigestion, breath freshener, cures nausea and stomach ailments |
Bay Laurel | ||
Beans -- Yellow & Green | fiber, vitamin C | |
Bee Balm | ||
Blueberry | fiber, vitamin C | cancer prevention |
Balsam Poplars | glycoside | pain relief |
Borage | ||
Broccoli | fiber, potassium, vitamins A, B2 & C | |
Brussels Sprouts | fiber, potassium, vitamin C | |
Burnet | wounds, sunburn, hemorrhoids, diarrhea | |
Cabbage | fiber, potassium, folic acid, vitamins B1, B3 & C | |
Calendula | ulcers, canker sores, menstruation pain, gum disease, sore throats, tonsillitis | |
California Poppy | treats anxiety, sedative, nervous tension, sleeplessness, pain relief, menstrual cramps | |
Carrot | fiber, potassium, folic acid, vitamins A, B3 & E, beta-carotene | improve eyes and night vision, lowers cholesterol, cancer prevention |
Catnip | ||
Cauliflower | fiber, potassium, vitamins B3 & C | |
Chamomile | sooths stomach ailments | |
Cherry - Black / Sour | carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins A, B3 & C | |
Chestnut -- Chinese | protein, potassium | |
Chives, Bunching Onions, Scallions, Garlic | fiber folic, acid, vitamin C | benefits the immune system, assists the liver in rendering carcinogens harmless and reduces production of cholesterol in the liver |
Clover -- Sweet | ||
Coriander / Cilantra | ||
Corn | carbohydrates, fiber | |
Cornflower | conjunctivitis, strained eyes | |
Cranberry | fiber, vitamin C | antidote for poisons |
Cucumber | calcium, silica, fiber, folic acid, vitamins A & C | improves skin / complexion, diuretic, cures headaches |
Dandelion | protein, manganese | treats anemia, jaundice, nervousness, blood purification, milky latex is a bug repellent |
Dill | ||
Echinacea | treats colds and flu, fights infections, stimulates immune system, heals wounds and burns, chronic fatigue syndrome, yeast infections | |
Eggplant | vitamin B3 | |
Fennel | fiber, calcium, potassium, iron, vitamins A & C | |
Fenugreek | high cholesterol, speeds healing | |
Feverfew | migraine headaches, anti-inflammatory, arthritis pain, menstrual discomfort | |
Fig | carbohydrates, fiber, folic acid | |
Grape | carbohydrates, fiber, folic acid, potassium, resveratrol, vitamins A, B3, B6, C & K | cancer prevention |
Gooseberry & Currant | fiber, potassium, vitamins C & D | |
Goumi -- Sweet Scarlet | ||
Hops | ||
Hyssop | eases congestion for colds and the flu, gargle for sore throats, reduces inflammation, heals cuts and bruises, herpes | |
Kale | calcium, potassium, vitamins A, B3 & C | |
Lavender | ||
Lettuce | fiber, folic acid | |
Lemon Balm | ||
Lima Beans | protein, carbohydrates, fiber, iron, potassium, vitamin E | |
Lime -- Key | ||
Mache -- Corn Salad | ||
Marshmallow | chapped and dry skin, anti-inflammatory, respiratory tract irritation, bronchitis, colds, coughs, digestive and urinary-tract inflammations, itching, cuts, scrapes, burns | |
Mint -- Spearmint & Peppermint | Methyl | cures stomach ailments |
Mustard Greens | iron, phosphorous, calcium, vitamins A, B & C | fertility, improved mental ability, treats vitamin C deficiencies such as scurvy |
Nasturtium | vitamin C | fights bacterial infections, anti-microbial, respiratory infections, influenza, the common cold, reproductive and urinary tract infections |
Orange | carbohydrates, fiber, potassium, folic acid, vitamin C | |
Parsley | minerals, iron, antioxidants, chlorophyll, vitamins A & C | reduces flatulence, freshens breath, aids in digestion, antidote for poisons, calms nerves, anemia |
Parsnip | carbohydrates, fiber, potassium, vitamin C | |
Pear | carbohydrates, fiber, folic acid | |
Penny Royal | insect repellent, flea collar | |
Pepper -- Chili | capsaicin, vitamins A & C, beta-carotene | pain relief, cures colds and the flue, cancer and heart attack prevention, treats congestion, asthma, osteoathritis, rheumatoid arthritis |
Pleurisy Root | respiratory infections, reduces inflammation, aids expectoration, bronchitis, pneumonia, influenza, asthma, dry cough, pleurisy, warts | |
Plum | carbohydrates, fiber, potassium | |
Popcorn | iron, protein, fiber | |
Potato | carbohydrates, copper, potassium, magnesium, fiber, vitamin B3, B5, B6 & C | protects against cancer and cardiovascular disease |
Pumpkin | fiber, potassium, vitamin A | |
Radish | folic acid, vitamin C | |
Raspberry | manganese, fiber, folic acid, vitamins C & E, antioxidants | anti-inflammatory, anti-diarrheal, antiseptic, treats diarrhea, nausea, colds, the flu, sore throats, bleeding gums, cankers, scabies and scurvy, glucose regulation, cancer prevention |
Rhubarb | carbohydrates, fiber, potassium | |
Rosemary | calcium, vitamins A & C | cure-all, breath cleanser, calms a cough, improves memory, antiseptic, cures headaches, anti-aging |
Sage | aids healing, used as a bandage, toothbrush for the American Indian or with bear fat to rub in the skin, improves memory, aids in digestion of meats, throats, tonsillitis | |
Savory -- Summer | prevents gas, aid digestion, stimulate appetite,, astringent, antiseptic, diarrhea, sore throats | |
Savory -- Winter | treats insect bites and stings, digestive aid, appetite stimulant, prevents gas, stomach aches | |
Snow Peas | carbohydrates, fiber | |
Spinach | folic acid, fiber, potassium, vitamins A & C, beta-carotene | aids in tissue growth and cell function, prevents anemia and ulcer, treats diarrhea, |
Strawberry | fiber, folic acid, vitamin C | |
Sunflower | pain relief, eases coughs, bronchial infections, anti-inflammatory, arthritis treatment | |
Sweet Marjoram / Oragano | motion sickness, stomach ailments, relieves congestion, aches and pains | |
Sweetleaf / Sugarbush | natural sweetener safe for diabetics | |
Tangerine -- Suburst | carbohydrates, fiber, potassium, folic acid, vitamin C | |
Tarragon French | ||
Teaberry / Wintergreen | fiber, vitamin C, glycoside | cancer prevention, treats stomach ailments and diarrhea |
Thistle | ||
Thyme | methyl | antiseptic, anti-fungal, fights parasites, invigorating, good for teeth and gums, treats headaches, warts, bruises and stings |
Tomato | folic acid, folate, retinol, fiber, potassium, vitamins A, C & K, antioxidants, lycopene, carotene | cancer prevention / protects from free radicals |
Valerian | relaxing, sleep aid, insomnia, anxiety, nervousness, tension headaches, migraines, rheumatic pain relief, relaxes spasms, muscle and menstrual cramps | |
Viola | rutin | eczema, varicose veins, coughs, bronchitis, urinary problems, cystitis |
Watercress | niacin, thiamin, riboflavin, iron, ascorbic acid, vitamins A & C, beta-carotene | improves mental ability, prevents baldness, increases productivity, cures a hang-over, cures scurvy, blood detoxification |
Wheatgrass | chlorophyll, 92 minerals | cancer prevention, prevents hair from turning gray, improves digestion, treats liver ailments, appetite suppressant |
Yarrow | treats hangovers, eliminate toxins, colds, flu, aids digestion, relieves menstrual cramps, stop bleeding, cleansing, pain relief, swelling | |
Zucchini -- Summer Squash | fiber, vitamin C |