by Renee Lindstrom, GCFP – Living in Natures Love Lifestyles @insideawareness.com
These are usually the first plants up in abundance before spring starting in December. Some are edible, & medicinal while others can only be used in essences. A few are considered super-foods with high amounts of Vitamin C, minerals, antioxidants and more. Many of them act as a spring tonic that stimulate the body to detox and cleanse and many of them support colds, the flu and allergies that go with the season.
Keep in mind that they are only consumable if grown naturally and without chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
What’s growing in your backyard?
Bergina Flower
Essence: trusting your own experience
Bergina Flower photo-Renee Lindstrom
Flowers: December
Flowers: Essence
Chakra: Root
Native to Asia
grown in the Pacific Northwest – #yyj’s Victoria B.C. on Vancouver Island
Black Medic (medicago lupulina)
Black Medic Weed
Flowers & Leaves: Early March
Flowers & Leaves: Culinary, Essence, Herb, Laxative
Seeds: Ground into flour
Taste: Alfalfa like
Chakra: Solar Plexus
Native to Europe & Asia where it is considered a pot herb
grown in the Pacific Northwest – #yyj’s Victoria B.C. on Vancouver Island
Butterbur (Petasites hybridus)
Flowers: February, March
Flowers & Leaves: Culinary, Medicinal, Tincture, Infused Oil, Flower Essence
Roots: Medicinal – Tea
Taste: Flowers unique earthy taste, stalks celery like, bitter
Chakra: Throat
Native to Europe & Asia
grown in the Pacific Northwest – #yyj’s Victoria B.C. on Vancouver Island
Chickweed (Stellaria media)
Essence: peace & unity
Flowers: December through Spring
Flowers, Seeds & Leaves: Culinary, Essence, Medicinal, Tea, Tincture, Infused Vinegar, Infused Oil, Flower Essence, Bath Infusions, Soap Making
Taste: Grassy, like corn silk
Chakra: Throat & Root Chakras
Native to Europe
grown in the Pacific Northwest – #yyj’s Victoria B.C. on Vancouver Island
Cleavers/Clivers (Galium aparine)
Flowers: March
Flowers, Seeds & Leaves: Culinary, Medicinal, Infused Vinegar, Infused Oil, Flower Essence, Coffee Substitute, Topic Skin Remedies
Taste: Young leaves in February taste Fresh
Chakra: Crown
Native to Asia, Europe & North America
grown in the Pacific Northwest – #yyj’s Victoria B.C. on Vancouver Island
Lesser Celandine (Ranunculus ficaria)
Essence: empowering choices & decisions
Flowers: March
Leaves & Roots: Medicinal, Infused Oil, Flower Essence, Vinegar
Flowers: whiten teeth!
Taste: Spinach like
Chakra: Crown, Throat and Root
Native to Europe & Asia
grown in the Pacific Northwest – #yyj’s Victoria B.C. on Vancouver Island
Daisy – English (Bellis perennis)
Essence: ‘Focused & Grounded’
English Daisy
Flowers: February
Flowers & Leaves: Culinary, Fresh in salads or as garnish, Infused Vinegar, Infused Oil, Tincture, Flower Essence, Tea, Medicinal
Taste: Mildly sour
Chakra: Crown, Brow, Solar Plexus & Root
Buy Canadian English Daisy Seeds
Native to Europe & Asia
grown in the Pacific Northwest – #yyj’s Victoria B.C. on Vancouver Island
Dandelion (taraxacum)
Essence: emotional & mental balance
Dandelion
Flowers: March
Flowers, Leaves & Roots: Culinary – Flowers & Leaves: Fresh in salads, Jelly, Medicinal, Infused Vinegar, Infused Oil, Tinctures, Teas, Flower essence
Taste: Earthy, nutty & bitter
Chakra: Brow & Solar Plexus
Native to Eurasia
grown in the Pacific Northwest – #yyj’s Victoria B.C. on Vancouver Island
Hairy Bittercress (Cardamine hirsuta)
Essence: Clarity & Heart Perception
Flowers: February
Flowers & Leaves: Culinary, Fresh in Salads, Soups, Stews, Salsa, Pesto, Infused Vinegar, Infused Oil, Flower Essence
Taste: Peppery
Chakra: 3rd Eye Chakra
Native to Eurasia
grown in the Pacific Northwest – #yyj’s Victoria B.C. on Vancouver Island
Purple Dead Nettle
Leaves: March
Leaves: Culinary, Fresh in Salads, Soups, Stews, Medicinal, Flower Essence, Tincture, Infused Oil, Infused Vinegar
Taste: Mild Kale Flavour
Chakra: Sacral
Native to Europe & Asia
grown in the Pacific Northwest – #yyj’s Victoria B.C. on Vancouver Island
Wild Violets
Flowers: March
Flowers & Leaves: Culinary, Fresh in Salads, Garnish, Decoration, Medicinal, Tea
Taste: Fresh, Green, Peppery
Chakra: 3rd Eye, Throat, Heart & Root
Native to Canada
grown in the Pacific Northwest – #yyj’s Victoria B.C. on Vancouver Island
Go to #yyj Spring Back Yard Foraging Calendar & Guide
More on #yyj Winter:
Living in Natures Love 