Lifesong

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Wild

Edible

Medicinal

Utilitarian

Plants

of

the

Third Circle Camp

We often do not think about wild plants as food or the beneficial role they play in the environment. Wild plants as with most of the foods we consume often come in a packaged form we don't recognize as something wonderfully edible, medicinal, or utilitarian. 

Lifesong Wilderness Adventures shares the marvels of  wild plant life throughout all the camps we hold, for how would we, could we survive without them.

Take the odiferous Yarrow plant, (Achillea Millefolium), for instance.  Among it's many qualities, it is a hemostatic and will help nosebleeds.  So if you are prone to high altitude nose bleeds find a little yarrow and brew up some tea with the leaves and flowers.

The legend behind the generic name ``Achillea`` goes back many years to when Achilles made an ointment from the yarrow to heal wounds of his soldiers after the Battle of Troy.

  Fireweed, (Epilobium Angustifolium), an anti-inflammatory

  It is also said to have good effects on diseased mucous

  membranes, colon troubles, cholera and dysentery - it at least

  relieves the pain from these diseases.

  Fireweed has a very good survival food value because of a

  relatively high content of Beta-carotene and Vitamin C

  Legend says a young Indian maiden once set fire to the far end of an

  enemy camp to cause a diversion to rescue her lover from torture. She

  untied him and fled with the enemy giving chase. The Great Spirit took

  pity on her. Wherever her moccasins touched the ground, great flames

  shot up. This soon turned her pursuers back.  Eventually, the flames

  turned into brilliant fireweed flowers.

Wild medicinal plants are often edible and utilitarian as well.  Like in First Circle, the Cattail tubers are edible, the leaves are used for baskets and the dried seed heads can be used for tinder or pillow stuffing and to decorate.  Cattails are also environmental cleaners.  They will absorb chemicals and other undesirable components from roadways.  It is imperative you do not harvest plants in questionable areas. 

Oxeye Daisies not only bring a smile to your face, determine if your boyfriend/girlfriend loves you, but they will ease your runny nose.  It is used as an antifungal, antibacterial and an insecticide.  Rub your pet with the powder and repel those fleas.

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