Author Archives: Dan

About Dan

Dan De Lion is an earth herbalist, forager, musician, and teacher. He teaches through Return to Nature, providing classes, lectures, and seminars on wild food foraging, mushroom identification, herbal medicine making, as well as primitive and survival skills with a focus on wild foods and forest medicines. He also incorporates the philosophies of yoga, alchemy, meditation, and mysticism into his classes, lectures, and seminars and brings a deep rooted indigenous medicine perspective of practicing intuition with plants, in a systematic and earth-based way – Check out more at www.returntonature.us.

Reculturing our Worldview: Symbiosis With Bacteria

A resurgence in our understanding bacteria is necessary for human survival. “Germ theory” as it was coined in the mid 16th century has caused certain debilitating effects to the health of the modern human. We have accidentally targeted bacteria in … Continue reading

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Foraging in our Modern World: Some Tips for When and Where

The most frequent question I am asked is how do we know where is safe to forage? This is perhaps the most important question to ask, but quite difficult to answer, especially in an urban, or suburban area. Generally the … Continue reading

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New Video – Foraging and Feasting on Morels!

In this video I explore identification aspects to morel hunting out in the field, as well as a delicious at-home recipe to incorporate these magnificent mushrooms into our lives. In Joy!

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Class Reflection – Winter Survival Foraging @ Manasquan Reservior – 02-23-2014

Winter Survival Foraging @ Manasquan Reservior – 02-23-2014 The weather was amazing, and it was a beautiful sunny day; a rare temperature from such a snowy winter. It felt like spring, and I was excited at the prospects of the … Continue reading

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Return to Nature Foraging Herbalist Training

I’ll be running this program again beginning in Spring 2015 Herbalism and Foraging Training Monthly Group Mentorship Program in Somerset NJ Beginning each Spring I’ll be teaching a group of students for a year-long intensive training program. I’ll systematically teach each student to work in … Continue reading

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Full Interview with Wall Township Life

Heres the unedited and behind the scenes full interview I did with Marilyn from Wall Township Life magazine article – Seen here.  Navigating the Back Woods of Wall Township  By Marilyn Zein El-Abidin  These articles are written in advance, and … Continue reading

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Foraging for Wild Violet (Viola)

“Who bends a knee where violets grow, a hundred secret things shall know.” – Rachel Field Violets are a very nutrient dense food; they contain high amounts of minerals and vitamins and can easily be collected in abundance if you … Continue reading

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Return to Nature Article in “Wall Township Life” Magazine!

Wall Township Life did a write up on the work I have been sharing through Return to Nature, which was a really fun chance to share some of the philosophy and ideas behind what I am teaching. Hope you enjoy … Continue reading

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Upcoming Class – Jan 19th – Winter Survival Foraging @ 6 Mile Run

Upcoming Class Next Weekend in Somerset NJ – We will explore plants, trees, and mushrooms to harvest and work with as medicines, foods and shelter for survival in winter situations. You will be surprised how much abundance is present. Ill … Continue reading

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Foraging for Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) – A Favorite Winter Forest Tea

Here’s a short video I took foraging in a park in New Jersey. This area I was walking is located at the tip of the Pine Barrens; there is sandy acidic soil and a heath forest including rhododendron and blueberries, … Continue reading

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