Identifying Bleeding Heart on the Forest Floor The Backcountry Herbalist 2022-12-01 | Bleeding HeartDicentra formosaPapaveraceae (Poppy family)Bleeding Heart was this month's monograph, so I wanted to make sure you all got to see it in a video! It starts to bloom in mid April, and continues through May. High up in elevation you can even find it blooming in June! We harvest the whole plant, including the root.This is a toxic plant, so be sure to read the monograph fully before using internally. Enjoy!
Inside a Regenerative Farm Where Sheep Help Grow Vegetables The Backcountry Herbalist 2025-10-23 | In this episode of Hands on Plants, I visit Carnation Farms in the Snoqualmie Valley of Washington State — a historic farm that’s reimagining what agriculture can look like in a changing world.Director of Regenerative Agriculture Eric Popp takes me on a tour of their 300-acre property, where sheep, soil, and vegetables work together in a carefully designed cycle of renewal. We explore how livestock are integrated into vegetable production, how cover crops restore fertility, and how the farm’s business model balances ecology with profitability.This isn’t just another farm tour — it’s a glimpse into the future of food and land stewardship. At Carnation Farms, regeneration isn’t a buzzword; it’s a rhythm of life that connects animals, plants, and people in a continuous circle of care.✨ In this video you’ll learn:– How regenerative agriculture works in real life– Why livestock integration can build soil instead of deplete it– How cover crops and grazing cycles improve soil fertility– The philosophy behind Carnation Farms’ holistic business modelIf you’re curious about regenerative farming, soil health, and hope for the planet, this one’s for you.🎥 Watch next: youtube.com/watch?v=F93omK1WiW4 🌱 Support the Hands On Plants series + get access to extended cuts and monthly classes:Patreon: patreon.com/cw/thebackcountryherbalist/posts 🎥 Subscribe to follow along as we visit more inspiring plant people for the Hands on Plants series!📚 Check out my books:Edible Plants of the Pacific Northwest: mountaineers.org/books/books/edible-plants-of-the-pacific-northwest-a-visual-guide-to-harvesting-and-cooking-with-40-common-speciesMedicinal Plants of the Pacific Northwest: mountaineers.org/books/books/medicinal-plants-of-the-pacific-northwest-a-visual-guide-to-harvesting-and-healing-with-35-common-species#RegenerativeAgriculture #CarnationFarms #SustainableFarming #HandsOnPlants #SoilHealth #FarmTour #WashingtonFarms
Chokecherry Identification & Uses | Foraging + Fruit Leather Recipe The Backcountry Herbalist 2025-09-10 | Learn all about chokecherry (Prunus virginiana)—where it grows, how to identify it, and how to turn its tart fruit into a delicious homemade fruit leather. 🌿🍒Chokecherry is a native plant with a long history of both medicinal and edible use, and in this video I’ll guide you through the essentials of working with it safely and deliciously.📖 Get the books:Edible Plants of the Pacific Northwest → mountaineers.org/books/books/edible-plants-of-the-pacific-northwest-a-visual-guide-to-harvesting-and-cooking-with-40-common-species Medicinal Plants of the Pacific Northwest → mountaineers.org/books/books/medicinal-plants-of-the-pacific-northwest-a-visual-guide-to-harvesting-and-healing-with-35-common-species 🌿 Stay connected:→ Join my newsletter for updates → subscribepage.io/vTL6LC→ Support my work on Patreon → patreon.com/thebackcountryherbalist→ Follow me on Instagram → instagram.com/adiantumschoolGET A FOOD MILL → amzn.to/3JWkYPUIf you love learning about wild plants, foraging, and practical herbalism, make sure to subscribe and join me for more videos!TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Intro00:32 Chokecherry ID01:30 Harvest where abundant01:48 Astringent02:18 Dark chokecherries02:39 Two picking methods04:13 Caterpillars05:00 Freezing the clusters05:28 Fruit leather
Wild foods + cultivating deep knowledge of place + fall foraging + wild food prep | Book Event The Backcountry Herbalist 2025-09-05 | ✨ Recorded live at Third Place Books in Seattle ✨In this 44-minute presentation, I share the inspiration behind my new book, Edible Plants of the Pacific Northwest. We explore:🌿 What’s in season to forage right now🌎 Foraging ethics and how to harvest responsibly🕰️ How foraging helps us slow down and build deep knowledge of place🍲 The importance of wild food preparation for health and flavor👀 Why I designed the book as a highly visual, hands-on guideWhether you’re brand new to foraging or a longtime plant lover, this talk will give you fresh insight into the practice of gathering wild foods — and a deeper appreciation for the Pacific Northwest.📖 Get the books:Edible Plants of the Pacific Northwest → mountaineers.org/books/books/edible-plants-of-the-pacific-northwest-a-visual-guide-to-harvesting-and-cooking-with-40-common-species Medicinal Plants of the Pacific Northwest → mountaineers.org/books/books/medicinal-plants-of-the-pacific-northwest-a-visual-guide-to-harvesting-and-healing-with-35-common-species 🌿 Stay connected:Join my newsletter for updates → subscribepage.io/vTL6LCSupport my work on Patreon → patreon.com/thebackcountryherbalistFollow me on Instagram → instagram.com/adiantumschoolThank you for being here and for supporting this path—it means the world to me! 💚#EdiblePlants #PacificNorthwest #Foraging
Behind the Scenes at a Native Seed Farm | Hands on Plants Series ep. 5 The Backcountry Herbalist 2025-08-27 | Prairies are one of the rarest ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest — and restoring them starts with seeds. In this episode of Hands on Plants, I’m visiting the South Sound Prairies seed farm in Tenino, WA, where thousands of pounds of native wildflower seeds are grown each year to bring prairies back to life.Join me and seed specialist Justine Mischka for a behind-the-scenes tour of the farm:- How seeds are harvested with specialized tools like seed vacuums and combines- The drying sheds, seed storage containers, and cleaning machines that prepare seed for the field- Amplification beds where wild-collected seed is scaled up for restoration- The dedicated people making large-scale prairie restoration possibleThis YouTube version gives you the full farm tour — if you’d like to see the extended cut with even more behind-the-scenes details, that’s available on my Patreon.👉 Volunteer with South Sound Prairies: cnlm.org/donate-get-involved/volunteer-opportunities/#1686003001633-7b13ac34-80b7👉 Join their mailing list: cnlm.org/donate-get-involved/volunteer-opportunities/#1686003001639-e4e01935-c5fe🌱 Support the Hands On Plants series + get access to extended cuts and monthly classes:Patreon: patreon.com/thebackcountryherbalist 🎥 Subscribe to follow along as we visit more inspiring plant people for the Hands on Plants series!📚 Check out my books:- Edible Plants of the Pacific Northwest: mountaineers.org/books/books/edible-plants-of-the-pacific-northwest - Medicinal Plants of the Pacific Northwest - mountaineers.org/books/books/medicinal-plants-of-the-pacific-northwest
My New Book! Edible Plants of the Pacific Northwest The Backcountry Herbalist 2025-08-21 | ✨ My New Book Is Here! ✨I’m so excited to share my brand-new book: Edible Plants of the Pacific Northwest (published by Skipstone). In this video, I’ll take you on a tour through the pages—showing you the in-depth plant profiles, recipes, and the many photos that make this book a true field companion for foragers, gardeners, and plant lovers.Inside you’ll find:🌱 Sustainability at the heart of every entry (always leaving some for wildlife).🌱 Multiple ID photos for each plant at different stages of growth.🌱 Practical information and harvesting tips.🌱 A recipe for every plant to bring your foraging finds into the kitchen.I also share a bit about my writing journey—from my first book Medicinal Plants of the Pacific Northwest, to this one, and even a sneak peek of my next project: a Winter Twig ID Guide.📖 Get the books:Edible Plants of the Pacific Northwest → mountaineers.org/books/books/edible-plants-of-the-pacific-northwest-a-visual-guide-to-harvesting-and-cooking-with-40-common-species Medicinal Plants of the Pacific Northwest → mountaineers.org/books/books/medicinal-plants-of-the-pacific-northwest-a-visual-guide-to-harvesting-and-healing-with-35-common-species 🌿 Stay connected:Join my newsletter for updates → subscribepage.io/vTL6LCSupport my work on Patreon → patreon.com/thebackcountryherbalistFollow me on Instagram → instagram.com/adiantumschoolThank you for being here and for supporting this path—it means the world to me! 💚#EdiblePlants #PacificNorthwest #Foraging
Wildcrafting Ethics + Tree Planting Woes + Plant Propagation with Sean Croke | Hands on Plants ep. 4 The Backcountry Herbalist 2025-08-14 | What does ethical wildcrafting look like in practice? In this interview, herbalist and teacher Sean Croke shares his thoughts on harvesting with reciprocity, wild plant propagation, the complexities of invasive species, and the constant project of planting trees on his small section of the black river— including how beavers have been munching through many of his newly planted trees.Sean runs The Hawthorn School of Plant Medicine, where he offers a 9-month program in which he teaches about plant propagation, plant communication, herbal medicine making, and sustainable wildcrafting practices rooted in respect for the land. This conversation blends practical knowledge with thoughtful perspectives on how humans can participate in the ecosystem in ways that nourish both people and place.🔗 Learn more about Sean:The Hawthorn School of Plant Medicine: hawthorn-school.weebly.com/our-philosophy.htmlOrder Sean’s Book: https://revelore.press/product/one-time-around-the-wheel/ 🌱 Support the Hands On Plants series + get access to extended cuts and monthly classes:Patreon: patreon.com/thebackcountryherbalist 🎥 Subscribe to follow along as we visit more inspiring plant people for the Hands on Plants series!
Inspiring Permaculture Farm Growing Medicinal Herbs | Hands on Plants Series ep. 3 The Backcountry Herbalist 2025-08-03 | Join me for an inspiring visit to Friends of the Trees Botanicals, where father-son duo Skeeter and Ashley Pilarski are growing over 80 species of medicinal herbs on a quarter-acre permaculture plot in Chimacum, Washington. You'll hear about soil-building tips, how the farm supports wildlife, some of the plants they grow on the farm, and about the productive hedgerows they cultivate for free on the Finn River orchard. This is part of my Hands on Plants video series, featuring herbalists, foragers, farmers, and plant lovers around the Pacific Northwest and beyond. I hope you'll follow along as I visit more inspiring people, and leave supportive comments and likes to keep me going.Friends of the Trees Youtube Channels: youtube.com/@PlantWizardSkeeter youtube.com/@friendsofthetreessociety8540 🔗 Learn more about Friends of the Trees Botanicals:friendsofthetreesbotanicals.com🌱 Support this series + get access to monthly herbal classes:patreon.com/backcountryherbalist 🎥 Subscribe to follow along as we visit more inspiring plant people.#herbfarm #permaculture #medicinalplants #friendsofthetrees #planttour #herbalism #nativeplants #backcountryherbalist #handsonplants
Looking for Black Hawthorn Berries: Foraging + Medicinal Uses The Backcountry Herbalist 2025-08-01 | I hop on my bike to search for black hawthorn (Crataegus douglasii) berries—one of my favorite late-summer wild foods. In this video, I show you how to find them, how to tell when they’re ripe, how to identify them confidently, and what makes them special as both food and medicine. I also share some tips on ethical harvesting and what to look for in their natural range.If you're curious about herbal medicine, wild food foraging, or just want to feel more connected to the land around you, you're in the right place.📚 Check out my books:- Edible Plants of the Pacific Northwest: mountaineers.org/books/books/edible-plants-of-the-pacific-northwest - Medicinal Plants of the Pacific Northwest - mountaineers.org/books/books/medicinal-plants-of-the-pacific-northwest🌿 Support my work & join my monthly live classes on Patreon:patreon.com/thebackcountryherbalistThanks for watching! Don't forget to subscribe if you want to learn more about wild plants, folk herbalism, and reconnecting with the land.#foraging #hawthorn #herbalism #wildfoods #blackhawthorn #crataegusdouglasii #pnwplants
Native Plant Nursery Tour—Seed Sourcing, Pest Control & Restoration | Hands on Plants Series ep. 2 The Backcountry Herbalist 2025-07-11 | Join me for a behind-the-scenes tour of the Oxbow Native Plant Nursery, where native plants are grown from seed and sold at their native plant sales and stand. We dive into ecotypic seed sourcing, seed treatments, biological pest control, and why growing native plants from seed matters. This nursery really goes above and beyond to be a force for good in the plant world. Whether you're a gardener, land steward, or just curious about native plant production, this tour is full of insight and inspiration.Links mentioned in the video:Neonicotinoid-free (systemic insecticide) nursery list - pollinatorpathwaynw.org/neonic-free-nurseries Xerces Society for Invertebrate conservation - xerces.org 👇 Chapters: 0:00 Intro to Oxbow Farm and Conservation Center 3:40 Ecotypic Seed Sourcing 4:27 Seed Stratification and Scarification 9:14 Seed Germination 12:45 Fertilizers + Pest Management 15:08 Biological Pest Control 17:21 Cultural Pest Control 18:26 Chemical Pest Control 20:44 Where the Plants End Up 23:42 Why They Don’t Use Systemic Insecticides 27:59 Greenhouse + Shade Cloths 29:02 Irrigation and Watering 31:27 Snowberry 35:34 Why Grow from Seed📍 Learn more about Oxbow Farm and Conservation Center's Native Plant Nursery:WEBSITE: oxbow.org/native-plant-nurseryINSTAGRAM: instagram.com/oxbowcenter/?hl=en🌱 Support my storytelling and slow media work on Patreon: patreon.com/thebackcountryherbalist 🧡 Thanks for watching! If you love native plants, ecological restoration, or thoughtful farming, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more videos like this.#NativePlants #OxbowFarm #EcologicalRestoration #SeedSourcing #NativePlantNursery #BiologicalPestControl #PNWPlants
Meet my friend who runs a thriving herb farm | Farmer Interview | Hands on Plants ep. 1 The Backcountry Herbalist 2025-06-21 | What’s it really like to run an herb farm? 🌿In this video, I visit Ben, the herbalist-farmer behind Root Digger Farm in Olympia, Washington. As he prepares his monthly CSA boxes full of fresh medicinal herbs, we chat about his journey into farming, what keeps him inspired, and the deeper mission behind his work.We cover:– Why Ben started farming herbs– What his herbal and farming education looked like– The realities and challenges of small-scale herb farming– Mulching, soil care, and habitat stewardship (yes, even pocket gophers!)– The vision he holds for a stronger, more connected medicinal herb grower community– What a CSA is, and why he chose it as the model for his businessWhether you’re an herbalist, aspiring grower, or simply curious about what it takes to grow herbs for a living, this conversation will nourish and inspire.👉 Learn more about Root Digger Farm and sign up for his CSA:rootdiggerherbfarm.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorpodFAPscVDntkz2jWqmshfDFelrTcGyGUpE76GSWqwFf6rKZP 📘 Grab a copy of my book Medicinal Plants of the Pacific Northwest:amzn.to/4ewPAD7 ✨ Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe if you want more videos like this!
My publishing story + honest advice for aspiring authors The Backcountry Herbalist 2025-06-03 | Three years ago, I had a dream to write a book. Now I’m on my third book deal—with some ideas for a fourth book in the works. In this video, I share the full story of how I went from a self-publishing novice to an experienced published author.I’ll walk you through:🌿 Why I chose to self-publish my first book📚 What it was really like to edit, design, and launch on Kickstarter💼 How I landed a traditional publishing deal—and what that meant financially📣 Marketing wins (TV spots, bestseller lists, and hardware store shelves!)📝 Tips for writing pitches and building author skills💡 Why choosing the right publisher for your niche matters📖 How my background in herbalism, foraging, and teaching helped me build a loyal readershipWhether you're dreaming of publishing your first book or navigating next steps as a writer, I hope this behind-the-scenes look gives you inspiration, guidance, and real-world insight.👉 Like + subscribe for more on wild foods, herbalism, and the creative processMY FIRST BOOK: mountaineers.org/books/books/medicinal-plants-of-the-pacific-northwest-a-visual-guide-to-harvesting-and-healing-with-35-common-speciesPREORDER MY SECOND BOOK: mountaineers.org/books/books/edible-plants-of-the-pacific-northwest-a-visual-guide-to-harvesting-and-cooking-with-40-common-speciesMY PATREON: patreon.com/thebackcountryherbalist #publishingjourney #authorlife #selfpublishing #bookdeal #herbalism #writingtips #creativeentrepreneur
All the Wild Things I’m Making Right Now | My Foraged Creations The Backcountry Herbalist 2025-04-16 | Come wander through my wild kitchen + apothecary!In this video, I’m sharing a peek at the many foraged and handmade projects I’ve got going right now — from bubbling ferments to pine needle baskets, medicinal salves, botanical inks, and more.This is part of my seasonal rhythm: small, earthy projects that connect me to the land and invite slowness, creativity, and care.Projects featured include:• pine needle proofing basket (ponderosa pine needles and waxed linen thread)• sourdough bread• aronia berry and elderberry mead• immature pine cone wild yeast starter• plantain oil• black walnut inkIf you’re curious about foraging, plant-based healing, or living more in sync with the natural world, I hope this inspires your own journey.—📌 Want more?→ Join me on Patreon for behind-the-scenes updates, recipes, and deeper seasonal stories: patreon.com/thebackcountryherbalist → Follow me on Instagram: @adiantumschool→ Join my newsletter: subscribepage.io/vTL6LC Thanks for being here 🌲Let me know in the comments which project sparked your curiosity!#foraging #homesteading #wildcrafting #herbalism #seasonalliving #slowliving #plantmagic
Identify and harvest spring nettle for food and medicine The Backcountry Herbalist 2025-03-13 | March is here and the time to harvest stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is upon us! Come with me to my favorite nettle patch and learn how to identify and harvest spring nettle, one of the most nutritious and delicious wild edible greens out there.Note that stinging nettle grows in most places in the United States, and many places in Europe and Asia as well. Its habitat will look a bit different than in the video, but its love for moist areas and soft leaf duff are consistent wherever it grows!MY BOOKThere is a lot more info about harvesting nettle and its medicinal uses in my book, Medicinal Plants of the Pacific Northwest, which is available here:mountaineers.org/books/books/medicinal-plants-of-the-pacific-northwest-a-visual-guide-to-harvesting-and-healing-with-35-common-speciesPATREONIf you are enjoying my channel and you want to be part of my Patreon community, you can check it out here:patreon.com/thebackcountryherbalist
Learn how to propagate stinging nettle for your garden, and a little nettle ecology too! The Backcountry Herbalist 2025-01-29 | You might think that growing stinging nettle in your garden is a crazy notion, but with all the edible and medicinal benefits it has, I think you'd be crazy not to. In this video you can learn how to propagate nettle for your home garden. I also talk a little about nettle ecology, which I think is helpful for gardeners and foragers alike to know about!Here are the articles I promised:PERRIN, R.M. (1975), The role of the perennial stinging nettle, Urtica dioica, as a reservoir of beneficial natural enemies. Annals of Applied Biology, 81: 289-297. doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-7348.1975.tb01644.x Alhmedi, Ammar & Haubruge, Eric & Francis, Frédéric. (2009). Effect of stinging nettle habitats on aphidophagous predators and parasitoids in wheat and green pea fields with special attention to the invader Harmonia axyridis Pallas (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Entomological Science. 12. 349 - 358. 10.1111/j.1479-8298.2009.00342.x. If you love medicinal plants and you live in the Pacific Northwest, you should check out my book, Medicinal Plants of the Pacific Northwest: amzn.to/3ZExnxm If you want to keep learning with me, I have many recorded classed for sale here: adiantumschool.podia.com
What Wild Plants Can You Eat in Winter? Foraging and Cooking Soup The Backcountry Herbalist 2025-01-03 | Foraging in winter?! It is a thing. Come learn about 4 of my favorite wild edibles that grow even in the cold weather. If you're into foraging for food and medicine, subscribe to my channel!My books- Medicinal Plants of the Pacific Northwest: amzn.to/3Z4tSQB- Edible Plants of the Pacific Northwest: coming in Summer 2025 - I'll let everyone know when preorders open.
Poplar bud harvest and ID: my favorite winter medicinal to forage The Backcountry Herbalist 2024-12-05 | Black cottonwood, a species of poplar, grows all over the Pacific Northwest. The buds are used medicinally in a balm for pain and wound healing. Watch to learn how to find, ID and harvest these buds in this video!Black cottonwood is one of the plants in my book, Medicinal Plants of the Pacific Northwest, which can be found here:amzn.to/3ZExnxm If you want to keep learning with me, I have many recorded classed for sale here: adiantumschool.podia.comCheck out my channel if Thanks for watching!
The herbs and supplements I take for my restless leg syndrome The Backcountry Herbalist 2024-11-27 | I've had restless leg syndrome for more than 10 years now, and I have found some herbs and supplements that help be IMMENSELY, so I wanted to share them with you.FYI: Though these are affiliate links, they are products I genuinely use with no persuasion from the companies.CAL-MAG SUPPLEMENTCal-Mag Citrate from Solaray: amzn.to/3CVFtss (I recommend this product first)OsteoBalance from Pure Encapsulations: amzn.to/3CVFtss (This product has more "other stuff" in it, aimed at people with osteoporosis, which runs in my family.Calcium citrate: amzn.to/3Z9g8CN (try this is you're curious to test whether it's the calcium helping)WHITE PEONY ROOTDried white peony root for tea: mountainroseherbs.com/white-peony-root (use about 2 tsp of dried root per cup of tea, boil in 10 oz of water for 15 minutes, then strain and drink before bed) (read my blog post for more info about white peony: adiantumschool.com/single-post/2019/08/26/medicinal-uses-of-white-peony-root-bai-shao)IRONEasy Iron from Natural Factors: amzn.to/497YTq8 (take 1 tablet a day WITH A MEAL)HCL (something to try for those with chronic reflux ONLY)Betaine Hydrochloride: amzn.to/3CYhVTK (1 capsule before meals)Please share what works for YOU in the comments!
Everything you need to know about cramp bark: identification, harvest and tincture making The Backcountry Herbalist 2024-11-20 | Cramp bark does grow wild in the Pacific Northwest, and can easily be propagated and grown in your garden as well. This super detailed video goes into different species, id, harvest, tincture making, uses and dosage. There is even more information about cramp bark in my bestselling book about cramp bark. Here's a link:amzn.to/4hV6jRHWhile you're here, check out some of my other videos about herbalism, foraging and wild edible plants.
Usnea lichen ID: avoid harvesting toxic lookalikes The Backcountry Herbalist 2024-11-14 | Usnea lichen, also known as old man's beard, is a commonly used medicinal lichen. However, lichen ID can be difficult, and I have seen people harvest the wrong lichen many times! Please watch this video so you can get the right lichen next time you harvest.By the way, for those of you watching in the fall and winter, you should know that's an excellent time of year to harvest Usnea! Wind storms often brings branches laden with Usnea down to the ground, making harvest very easy.The lichen book mentioned in the video:Macrolichens of the Pacific Northwest: amzn.to/4fLOvGS My book:Medicinal Plants of the Pacific Northwest: amzn.to/3Z4tSQB
Elecampane is a must have for temperate gardeners. Plant it now! #herbalmedicine #herbgarden The Backcountry Herbalist 2024-11-12 | ...
Dock seed flour is way more nutritious than wheat flour! #foraging #wildfood The Backcountry Herbalist 2024-10-30 | ...
Hairy Cats Ear: the common edible weed that youve been missing out on The Backcountry Herbalist 2024-10-30 | Learn how to identify (including a thorough breakdown of lookalikes) and eat hairy cat's ear. Hairy cat's ear is a super common weed that grows in most lawns and other open, disturbed ground. When cooked correctly, this plant is delicious!This plant will be included in my second book, which will be published in June 2025. Can't wait for you all to see it!Get my first book here: amzn.to/4en87QBIf you want to keep learning with me, I have many recorded classed for sale here: adiantumschool.podia.com
How to ID ponderosa pine and healing properties of the resin. #foraging #herbalmedicine The Backcountry Herbalist 2024-10-28 | ...
October foraging is seriously a full time job. #foraging #herbalmedicine #urbanforaging The Backcountry Herbalist 2024-10-26 | ...
The cool wet weather is bringing spring greens back! #foraging #autumn #urbanforaging The Backcountry Herbalist 2024-10-24 | ...
This October is a fruity one for me. What are you all harvesting right now? #foraging #autumn The Backcountry Herbalist 2024-10-21 | ...
How to harvest pine resin and make an anti-microbial salve The Backcountry Herbalist 2024-10-16 | RECIPE BELOW... Pine resin salve is one of the remedies I never leave home without, and it is so easy to find and harvest. Join me on a pine resin harvest outing in this video, and then learn how to make pine resin salve with me!NOTE OF CAUTION: Pine resin contains a compound called colophony, which 4.6% of people have an allergy to (Source here: medscape.com/viewarticle/559992_3?form=fpf). If pine resin is new for you, please apply a small amount of salve to a small patch of skin on your wrist and wait 24 hours to see if you react. This kind of practice is good for any new medicine or compound you are using on your body, especially if you have sensitive skin.For the pine resin salve recipe, you’ll need….8 or 16 oz glass jarDisposable chopstick½ cup (4oz) olive oil (in the video I say one cup, but 1/2 cup is the correct amount)1 oz pine resin.65 oz beeswax12 x ½ oz salve tinsA pot with water and a stoveMATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT recommendations(these are affiliate links)Parchment paper bags: amzn.to/401hzWf Beeswax: https://get.aspr.app/SHw2E Salve tins: https://get.aspr.app/SHw2FOlive oil: https://get.aspr.app/SHw2G MY BOOKS: Medicinal Plants of the Pacific Northwest: mountaineers.org/books/books/medicinal-plants-of-the-pacific-northwest-a-visual-guide-to-harvesting-and-healing-with-35-common-speciesEdible Plants of the Pacific Northwest: mountaineers.org/books/books/edible-plants-of-the-pacific-northwest-a-visual-guide-to-harvesting-and-cooking-with-40-common-speciesJoin my Patreon for exclusive content about foraging, herbalism and wild foods:patreon.com/thebackcountryherbalist
Medicinal Plants of the Pacific Northwest- Check it out here: https://amzn.to/3BTb5yk #foraging The Backcountry Herbalist 2024-10-11 | ...
Foraging Fall Favorites: Edible and Medicinal Plants You Can Find Now The Backcountry Herbalist 2024-10-09 | In this fall foraging guide, I walk you through some of my favorite wild plants to harvest during the autumn season. From hawthorn berries and rose hips to Oregon grape, yellow dock seeds, and conifer needles, you'll learn about a variety of edible and medicinal plants you can find in most temperate regions in the US. Whether you're new to foraging or a seasoned wildcrafter, this video will help you connect with nature and make the most of fall's natural bounty. Timestamps: 0:00 Intro1:06 Hawthorn Berries2:16 Rose Hips3:59 Yellow Dock Seeds6:09 Conifer Needles9:58 Oregon Grape11:38 Roots to harvest in FallGET MY BOOK: amzn.to/3BTb5ykIf you want to keep learning with me, I have many recorded classed for sale here: adiantumschool.podia.com
There’s medicine all around us 🤗 #foraging #herbalmedicine The Backcountry Herbalist 2024-10-06 | ...
Top 10 Tasty Wild Edible Greens: Ranked & Explained The Backcountry Herbalist 2024-10-02 | In this video, I rank and explain my top 10 favorite wild edible greens that are both tasty and easy to find! Whether you're new to foraging or a seasoned expert, these greens are perfect for adding fresh, nutritious ingredients to your meals. Many of them are so common you may even have them in your yard! From identification tips to how you can use these greens in everyday recipes, I'll guide you through each one. Don't forget to hit subscribe for more foraging and herbalism videos, and share your favorite wild greens in the comments!Grab my book about "Medicinal Plants of the Pacific Northwest": amzn.to/3BTb5ykIf you want to keep learning with me, I have many recorded classed for sale here: adiantumschool.podia.com
Lets Harvest Blue Elderberry: ID, Habitat, Harvest, Uses and Storage The Backcountry Herbalist 2024-09-25 | Blue elder is our native elderberry here in the Pacific Northwest and some of the western mountain states and you can harvest your own! It makes great immune-boosting syrup and jelly. Check out the video for everything you'll need to know.You can also grow blue elder in your garden in most places in the PNW, and I definitely recommend that!Grab my book here: amzn.to/3BTb5ykIf you want to keep learning with me, I have many recorded classed for sale here: adiantumschool.podia.com
I tested three popular plant ID apps and this is what I thought. The Backcountry Herbalist 2024-09-18 | People ask me what my favorite plant ID app is all the time, and in the past I didn't have a good answer, because I "learned to ID things back before plant ID apps" (in other words, I was being stubborn). I finally decided to test them out and see if they are actually worth the hype. Watch the video to see which was my favorite, what the differences between apps are, how to take better photos for more accurate ID, and whether I'll be sticking with these apps in the future.Grab a copy of my book here: amzn.to/3BTb5ykIf you want to keep learning with me, I have many recorded classed for sale here: adiantumschool.podia.com
Beaked hazelnut: habitat, ID, harvesting and processing this delicious nut The Backcountry Herbalist 2024-09-11 | Beaked hazelnut (Corylus cornuta) is one of just a few edible native nuts here in the Pacific Northwest, along with garry oak (Quercus garryana). These wild hazelnuts are labor intensive but so so delicious. This video will walk you through everything you need to know about harvesting and processing this native nut. Buy my book here: amzn.to/3BTb5yk A few bonus things I couldn't help but add here...CAN I GROW THIS PLANT???You can definitely plant beaked hazelnut in your yard--it's super common at nurseries. If you are looking to harvest LOTS of nuts, you may want to consider planting European hazelnut (Corylus avellana), since it bears a lot more nuts. Note that this is not a deer safe plant, so you'll need to net it up if you live in a place with lots of deer. Eventually it should get large enough to fend for itself. HAZEL FENCINGDid you know that hazelnut boughs were used to make fencing in many places in Europe because of their strength, straightness and flexibility. There is still a modern practice of it, and the fences people make are beautiful, braided and woven pieces of art. In a world of increasingly expensive building materials, that kind of thing might start to be popular again, and you can grow it yourself!
On the hunt for western water hemlock: identifying characteristics and habitat of this deadly plant The Backcountry Herbalist 2024-09-04 | Learning the poisonous and toxic plants of your area is just as important as learning the beneficial ones. Water hemlock is so deadly you should avoid touching it, as it can absorb through your skin!!! In this video I'm on the hunt to get photographs for the toxic plant section in my upcoming book, and spoiler alert... I find some! Get my first book: mountaineers.org/books/books/medicinal-plants-of-the-pacific-northwest-a-visual-guide-to-harvesting-and-healing-with-35-common-species See you next week!
5 Creative Tips for Finding Good Spots to Harvest Wild Medicinal Plants The Backcountry Herbalist 2024-08-28 | Finding good harvesting spots can be super challenging, especially for beginning foragers, and those living in cities. Here are some of my top tips. Stay til the end and get two bonus tips!A link to my book on Amazon: mountaineers.org/books/books/medicinal-plants-of-the-pacific-northwest-a-visual-guide-to-harvesting-and-healing-with-35-common-species
How to Harvest Willow Bark The Backcountry Herbalist 2022-12-01 | Willow (Salix spp.) can be found on the banks of rivers, in wetlands and around ponds and lakes. It LOVES water. In this video, I'll show how to find, select and harvest bark from willow trees.If you want to keep learning with me, I have many recorded classed for sale here: adiantumschool.podia.comAlso, I wrote a bestselling book! It's called Medicinal Plants of the Pacific Northwest and you can grab it here:amzn.to/4hWUUAQ
How to Peel Bark off of Branches The Backcountry Herbalist 2022-12-01 | In this video I'll show you how to peel bark off branches in field with a knife, and also talk about when to harvest barks.
My favorite medicinal tree: Grand Fir The Backcountry Herbalist 2022-12-01 | Grand Fir Abies grandisPinaceae (Pine family)It's almost time for harvesting fir and spruce tips and I could not be more excited. Nothing is more delicious than a hot cup of grand fir tip tea with a teaspoon of honey. Grand fir (actually a fir) is more elusive than douglas fir (not actually a fir). Something to keep an eye out for.Note that fir tips share very similar medicinal uses: expectorant, antimicrobial, high in vitamin c. They are excellent for coughs and warding off the seasonal cold. There is a lot of talk about the role of vitamin C in warding off Covid as well, so definitely not a plant to be left behind. Get your honey, vinegar and alcohol ready for infusing! We have a few other fir species in Washington, including pacific silver fir (Abies amabilis), Noble fir (Abies procera) and subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa). I most often harvest from pacific silver fir, which is found in higher elevations in the cascades and olympics. All members of the fir genus have large pinecones that face upward with scales that squirrels like to peel off, eat the seed out of, and then throw on the ground. Piles of these scales can be found under many fir trees.
How to Harvest Low Oregon Grape Root The Backcountry Herbalist 2022-12-01 | Low Oregon grape (Mahonia nervosa) grows in the forest understory, and because of the habit of the plant, pulling it up out of the ground is necessary in order to harvest the bark.In this video I'll show you how to do it, and talk a bit about the advantages and disadvantages of using this species versus tall Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium).
How to identify and Harvest Cleavers The Backcountry Herbalist 2022-12-01 | Cleavers Galium aparine(Rubiaceae) bedstraw familyCleavers is an abundant weed in western Washington and a fantastic bladder detoxifier and lymphatic mobilizer. April is the best time for harvest, before it blooms, so get out and get yourself some cleavers!
Siberian Miners Lettuce, Chickweed and Nipplewort The Backcountry Herbalist 2022-12-01 | These three edible spring greens are all harvestable in April and May.Siberian miner's lettuce (Montia sibirica): grows in the forest understory, edible raw. Contains a large amount of oxalic acid, so limit amount that you eat.Chickweed (Stellaria media): Edible raw. Great in salads. Can eat a large amount of it.Nipplewort (Lapsana communis): slightly bitter and a little hairy. Edible raw and cooked. Can eat a large amount of it, especially when cooked. Very similar to dandelion.If you want to keep learning with me, I have many recorded classed for sale here: adiantumschool.podia.com
All about Red Elder: Flowers, berries, toxicity and uses The Backcountry Herbalist 2022-12-01 | Red elder (Sambucus racemosa) is one of two native species of elder in the Pacific Northwest. The other, more common on the east side of the cascades, is blue elder (Sambucus cerulea). In this video I talk about identifying and using red elder flowers, and also about the toxicity of the different elder species.If you want to keep learning with me, I have many recorded classed for sale here: adiantumschool.podia.comAlso, I wrote a bestselling book! It's called Medicinal Plants of the Pacific Northwest and you can grab it here:amzn.to/4hWUUAQ
Sitka Spruce Tips: Finding, identifying and harvesting The Backcountry Herbalist 2022-12-01 | Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) can grow to be an old growth giant, but smaller ones can also be found in native plantings and parks. On the Olympic peninsula and Pacific Coast is where spruce dominated forests thrive. Spruce tips are a forager's favorite for cocktails, tea, honey, vinegar and even some food. Each genus has its own special flavor. To me, spruce reminds me of tropical fruit and lavender. What's your favorite spruce tip preparation?The whole pine family pneumonic mentioned in the video:Spruce Stabs (the needles are really sharp)Fir is fragrant (it is the most fragrant of all genuses)Hemlock hangs (the top is floppy)Pine has packets (packets of multiple needles attached together)Larch loses its needles (yep, every fall!)Douglas fir doesn't fit (into any other genus)
Harvesting Red Root Stem Bark on the Eastern Slope of the Cascades The Backcountry Herbalist 2022-12-01 | Red root is one of my favorite medicinal plants that grows in the drier parts of Washington. Red root is a lymphagogue, or lymphatic mobilizer, which means it stimulates lymphatic flow and function. Your lymphatic system is responsible for recycling waste products from immune and metabolic processes. That's why your lymph nodes get so swollen when you're sick- they are working hard! I also harvest and dry red root flowers for tea blends. They don't taste quite as wild as the bark, and have the same effect but a bit gentler.Look for the trident shape in the leaf veins. The leaves are also waxy and aromatic. In this video we are harvesting stem bark, which is a very low impact way to harvest red root. You can also harvest the root bark, which we'll see in another video!Did I miss anything? Let me know if you have any questions about red root.
How to Use a Digging Fork to Dig Dandelion Root The Backcountry Herbalist 2022-12-01 | Reporting from Snoqualmie Pass where the dandelions are just blooming to teach you how to use a digging fork to dig dandelion root. This can be used for most roots!
Harvesting and Using Yarrow for Medicine The Backcountry Herbalist 2022-12-01 | Latin name: Achillea millefoliumFamily: Sunflower family (Asteraceae)Yarrow is one of the most commonly known and used medicinal herbs in our bioregion. In this video you'll learn how to identify, harvest and use it for medicine!Some people mistake it for members of the carrot family, some of which are poisonous. I'll also share with you a trick or two on how to tell it apart.
Finding and Harvesting Puget Sound Gumweed (aka Grindelia integrifolia) The Backcountry Herbalist 2022-12-01 | Puget Sound Gumweed is an enthusiastic beach grower whose buds help clear sticky, stubborn phlegm from the lungs. Please consider growing this plant in your garden to reduce pressure on wild populations!To make the tincture of gumweed buds, remember to use 95% alcohol (everclear). Chop up your fresh buds, put them in a jar, and pour alcohol over. You can blend it, but keep in mind that you'll be resin in your blender.Gumweed is a lower dose plant, so please be aware when taking it that more is not necessarily better. I like 10 drop doses, personally.Happy harvesting!
Identifying and Harvesting White Pine for Medicine The Backcountry Herbalist 2022-12-01 | White pine (Pinus monticola) used to be a lot more abundant until it was hit by white pine blister rust in the 60's and 70's. Tree diseases can put a lot of pressure on specific species, and are becoming more common as the climate shifts.White pine is one of my favorite trees, and the best of the true pines to harvest needles from for tea. It will be in my upcoming book!
