When you go on a hike, you’re probably thinking about nothing but finishing the trail and taking in the views along the way. However, there’s another task you could consider doing while hiking: foraging for healing flowers and plants to use at home.
Here are a few of the most common plants you will find on your hike that you can harvest and use in a number of medicinal applications.
Four Wild Healing Flowers and Plants to Look For While In the Woods
Dandelions
You can use many parts of the dandelion in different ways. Dandelion roots, as well as flowers, can be used in everything from teas to salves. The dandelion flower can be incorporated into salads and syrups or as a dressing. The flowers can also be dried and used in teas to help with digestive issues. If you want an easy dandelion tea recipe, check this one out.
Furthermore, the leaves of the dandelion can be used as well for assistance with digestive issues and help with speeding up metabolism. If you do find this plant on your hike, you should consider carrying a produce bag to store the leaves and flowers in. This will keep them safe without causing them to wilt too badly like they would in a plastic bag.
Yarrow Root
Yarrow is an example of a flower for healing. In fact, it is part of the sunflower family and its root can be used to help with chronic pain. Though it does not stop the pain, it can help to reduce inflammation and pain-related symptoms throughout the body.
The yarrow root is often used in tea or as a tincture and rarely used as a directly eaten root.Though it can be dehydrated after harvest, it is best used as soon as possible.
Elderberry
Elderberry is the one plant that you want to keep an eye out for. The main reason is that elderberry is used to help with colds and flu. It can be used in syrup and taken orally in tinctures and in teas.
The elderberry is one of the most effective and versatile options for alternative cold and flu assistance. The plant looks like a normal bush with small blackish blue beads of berries growing in clumps. You can harvest the berry directly and place it into a bag.
Are you wondering, what does elderberry taste like? It is a bit bitter on its own, but when mixed with sweeteners and spices, it can be tasty. And its healing properties make it worth trying.
The berries can be used easily and stored once they are in syrup or tincture form. You can also dehydrate them and create a fruit tea from the berries.
Lavender
Just like dandelion flower tea, lavender is also an excellent choice for tea. Not to mention that it can also be used as oil. In fact, it contains anti-inflammatory properties and antimicrobial properties.
If stress is giving you a hard time sleeping, lavender can help you out. It has relaxing effects that can help you improve your sleep. If you want to enjoy its benefits, it’s recommended to drink a cup of lavender tea before bedtime.
These are just four of the most common and most useful plants to look for while you are in the wild or on a hike. They are definitely flowers for healing and strength.Remember, if you decide to look for these healing flowers while hiking, carry something with you that is suitable for storing the plants on your way back home.