Wildcrafted Medicinal Herbs

• Echinacea is not only decorative, but has effective healing properties. Anna Yu/Photodisc/Getty Images

  The term wildcrafting refers to the collecting of herbs from their natural habitat, rather than cultivating them in a garden or greenhouse. To prevent extinction and ecological damage, the wildcrafting of herbs requires responsible harvesting practices, including care to harvest with minimal impact to the environment and, in many cases, replanting for long-term sustainability. Wildcrafted herbs have been valued for their medicinal properties for centuries in ancient Chinese medicine, Indian Ayurveda and other eastern cultures, as well as passed down as folk wisdom through European heritage.

Nettles

• Also known as stinging nettle for the sharp, pointy hairs that cover it, nettles make a particularly soothing herbal soak to relieve chronic muscle and joint pain. It is also a popular and effective expectorant for ridding the body of phlegm and mucus and a powerful diuretic for increasing the flow of urine. An excellent general all-around nutritive tonic, it helps lower blood sugar levels and helps promote lactating. It is also good for wounds as it helps to stop bleeding and promotes clotting.

Yarrow

• The basal leaves of the yarrow plant have both antiseptic and analgesic properties, making it an excellent herb to apply to open wounds to prevent infection and alleviate pain, as well as help stop bleeding and promote clotting. It is also an astringent, so is good for the skin. In addition, it relieves flatulence and involuntary muscle spasms and promotes sweating.

Dandelion

• The leaves, roots and flowers of the dandelion plant have many benefits to the digestive system. Besides generally aiding in appetite and digestion, dandelion helps relieve constipation, increases the flow of bile and acts as a mild laxative. It is also a blood purifier and has many healing properties for the liver.

Echinacea

• Echinacea is popularly known for its ability to rid the body of microbial infections, as well as viral and bacteria attacks. It is particularly beneficial in combating upper respiratory infections like tonsillitis, laryngitis and the common cold. As one of the most over-harvested medicinal herbs, responsible wildcrafting is paramount to keep it from becoming endangered in the wild. It is also grown in gardens and is commonly know as purple coneflower.

Willow Bark

• The bark of the willow tree is used to make aspirin. Taken in its natural form, willow bark similarly alleviates pain, reduces fever and prevents its periodic return, and reduces inflammation. It is also a powerful antiseptic, killing germs and preventing infection.