Here’s a look at the shaggy mane mushroom – coprinus comatus:
This mushroom is a delicious edible of the genus coprinus (the inky caps).
All coprinus have a very unique “self digestion” mechanism in which their cap turns into it’s own spores and decomposes as a mass which can be carried away and transported by insects, hence the name inky cap.
These mushrooms are great when picked before decomposing and can be sautéed into any dish that calls for mushrooms, including mushrooms and eggs, or any Thai or Indian style curry.
There are several other coprinus that range from inedible to questionable so always forage carefully and have an expert help confirm your identifications.
Today at our family plant walk we discussed the resilient power of nature and how to see that with many examples such as the plants that were sticking out of the sidewalk in the poison ivy that was again taking over the area. We put on our psychic future sunglasses and we allowed ourselves to see what would occur in the hundreds of years and 10,000 years, and that the same very tip of the poison ivy vine called the meristem, would lead the way in the return to nature as the children of the world change their perceptions and become adults.
We talked of some other plants including mugwort and broadleaf dock, and talked of the magic healing of sassafras with a beautiful root to deepen our medicine senses. We then headed into the forest.
The first friend we saw there was a stand of big beautiful black birch trees in which we smelled deeply and everybody used as a toothbrush, we talked of the alchemy of making roots beer with the families as rituals, and envisioned how these ancient beverages were made. dental hygiene for children is easy when you play in nature and chew on sticks .
From there I climbed a tree barefoot to try to get at some of the younger twigs to share with everyone, in which I showed them my new favorite yoga position: raccoonasana – from there when I asked the children what they wanted to do all of them answered that they wanted to climb trees too. We then took a careful moment to assess the area and find a wonderful group of trees to play with.
We spent the next hour climbing trees barefoot and smiling. It was truly a joy to watch the innate ability of children to just climb up and down trees so gracefully, perhaps it is our adult doubts that get in our way.
From there we all ended up in the middle of the trail, discussing the power of homeschooling, nature play, making Mandalas, and any questions the parents wanted to ask. The kids were joyously like a busy bees collecting and digging sassafras roots so they can all take them home and drink the secret medicine that has been drink on this land for perhaps millions of years.
As we enjoyed each other’s company, spontaneously several children and I began to deeply touch and work with the soil. Moving it back and fourth between our hands and Feeling the coolness and it’s familiarity, I then reminded them that they were indeed playing with Stardust. I asked one child why she felt called to touch the soil she exclaimed, “because it feels great”.
From there the children joyously began to rub it all over their feet and their legs and we let them. We let them rub and rub the soil of the earth upon their legs and their feet and they began to turn brown; they are the Earth children and they knew it.
After we all caked up with the power of the earth, I shared with them the significance that indeed this ancient ritual would have been repeated every time our tribe would go out and hunt and stalk animals. They realized how important it was to take away their sheen which the animals watch for if they were in a hunting scenario.
They were camouflaging naturally. Preparing for what work lies ahead. Warriors of the earth, every single one of them.
Plant medicine blessings ,
Dandelion
I’ll be posting a video of us playing in the soil in this magic moment mentioned on my Instagram: returntonature which will also end up on the Rtn fb page at www.facebook.com/returntonatureskills
To donate to the return to nature teaching mission and outreach please PayPal to Dan@ReturntoNature.us – all donations go to further spreading nature education to children and adults.
Here is a collaborative article on 6 steps to help you transition from Summer into Fall. with Dan De Lion, Antinanco Earth Arts School, and Be Light Living.
For 2 weeks (Nov. 28 – Dec. 5 2014) we traveled to Colombia to seek and expand our knowledge of wild foods, medicinal plants, culture, and shamanic practices within these sacred lands.
It was my first time exploring anywhere in South America as well as the biodiversity of jungle habitat, which I had a chance to meet for several months traveling in India, back in 2012. In Colombia I was very excited to meet new plant friends, and see the overlap of plant species, and plant families between what I had seen in India, as well as recognizing anything familiar back home.
This kind of journey is one that fills me with passion and excitement. To allow the plants to guide me to the people, and the people then guide me to plants. Here is a brief look at my experience in Colombia.
Prior to leaving, I did research and collected a plant list, in which Timothy Lane, of who I thank deeply for his botanical offering, his hours of doing the same thing I did enabled me to research potential species and families to look for.
The list combined consisted of potential edible wild plants I may find, as well as cultivated market fruit species, herbal medicines that I could both find on the ground, and in the markets, as well as famous ethnobotanical plants. The working list of species that I’ve compiled and expanded upon have become the field guide portion of this book. (see index 1) As I sought many forms of medicine in the jungle, market place, and shamanic medicine traditions, I photographed and documented what I had experienced.
Chapter 1: Herbal Preparations and Vaccination Awareness
Whenever traveling as an herbalist, especially one who would prefer to rely on the plants of the ground, it takes lots of study. Within that study is 3 main factors. 1. Mainly the ability to see potential and common threats in the particular area you are traveling in, 2. The ability to have an herbal kit that outlines treatment for those issues because one should never wait, and 3. Access to whatever level of “medicine” you may need, if the need arises. It is of my personal opinion that I should never deny more “corporate” treatments if my methods do not work. Yet, as a novice becomes expert, more can be handled.
Oh yea and 4, perhaps most important, the unexpected =)
Herbal Health Care:
In researching the first big scare of South America and the jungle in general, one must first learn what to do in case of malaria. Malaria which usually one treats by taking a preventative dose (which I hear makes people very sick) in fear of the potential of getting malaria. Luckily, it turned out for us that although there were cases of malaria in the areas we would travel to, it was not likely.
As I did my homework on the issue, it generally seemed from observing websites such as the CDC malaria map (http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/map/) that cases were low in Putumayo area, probably the most rampant area, and even lower in the other areas we would be traveling to. Heeding the official websites message to be careful I developed a tincture to take along for the journey. I knew that I would be able to tend to a strong case of malaria for 4-5 days on what I had brought and chose once again to pass on the damaging preventative medication.
For working with issues such as malaria, one should first know if the ailment is bacterial, viral, fungal, or otherwise in its nature. Treatment for each of these cases are different and require different functions from herbs, foods, and lifestyle changes.
The second most important thing in a case like this is prevention. Knowing habitat, location, having working bug spray – working, in this case, means a 4 oz bottle where I put a mix of essential oils, almost all of them will work, with 50% almond oil, shake that, and put in a spray bottle. When I apply that I apply it heavily and repeatedly. After 3-4 applications it works amazingly.
The third most important application is treatment during the earliest stages detectable. This means having subtle awareness of signs and symptoms. Beginning herbal treatment 3-4 days after the first earliest symptoms is “too late”, meaning that the first stage of treatment is to know the body.
Herbal Kit Breakdown:
As I was not sure how far I would be traveling into the jungle, In my herbal kit I brought 16 oz. of a malaria specific formula that I made. I knew it would be a potent general antiviral, and antibacterial, and therefore could be used in any cold or flu, stomach upset, infection, or fungus. However, these herbs are also are the more specific herbs toward malaria or yellow fever and used accordingly. It consisted of Sida acuta (turns out this is a roadside weed in Colombia), olive leaf, Artemesia annua, burdock root, and redroot. This gave a well rounded formula, with enough for 2 people to at least begin combatting any issue that would be encountered. Of course with herbalism and a “use-what-you-have” capacity, a plethora of others to add, includingany other antimicrobials.
A particular hero to mention could be boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum) which having a long standing tradition of being helpful against flu and fever, has a wide ranging history of treating malaria. And, there have been studies and in vitro experiments with plant extracts which indicate possible anti-inflammatory effects and activity against Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite that causes malaria. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S037887411100729X).
Yet, I am not a big proponent of “one-herb” solutions, and always prefer to formulate around a strong herb that has the action I seek.
When formulating, I try to consider half “target the microbe” and half “tonify the bodies functions” so in my case burdock for helping the liver and therefore blood, and redroot, which also has antiviral attributes, being predominantly for helping lymphatic opening. Of course activities like sweating, hiking, sweatlodge, and sauna are also helpful for the body adjusting to different microbial environmens in countries and we planned to do much of it.
Basically, when traveling to other countries, usual things to consider are air quality issues and therefore respiratory infections, water borne infections through contaminated water (in which can be filtered and not relied on plastic throw away bottles) and bacterial or viral infections, of which there are many. These issues are very common, and will likely be part of anyone’s travels outside of the country they were born in.
For basic physical trauma issues, I also brought a small medical kit containing some band-aids, gauze, cotton swabs, and 2 pairs of rubber gloves. Of course with first aid, training is primary. I have taken several herbal first aid courses and try best to understand my limits, not my capacities.
Other items included mixed herbal salve for helping skin stay moist, treating any allergic topical issues, and also helping keep infection out of any healing wounds. With a few essential oils which I see as a back-up (Not primary); oregano oil, lavender and peppermint, as well as the abovementioned home made bug spray.
With developing the art of foraging herbalism, “know-how” is an ever expanding thing.
The scenarios and plants, herbal kit will always change and adaptability is the greatest work. A few easy examples would be such as any evergreen sap for cuts or fungal infections, wild papaya leaves as a tea for intestinal issues (plus the seeds of the fruits),
And the most important reason for traveling and practicing herbalism, seeking teachers while at any location of medicine people, to directly broaden any level of foraging and herbalism applications of wild plants, as well as simultaneously preserve and pass on their knowledge traditions.
In respect!
Dan
This writing is part of my “Seeking the Medicine” Herbal Series with lots more to come,
Enriching Your Life With Fermented Food – Make Your Own at Home
It’s cheap and easy to make your own fermented foods at home. This is an ancient and almost effortless tradition for storing the bounty of the harvest worldwide! Here is a step by step process to make your own fermented foods at home.
Things you will need: Cabbage, carrots, ginger, spices, salt
Heres how to make veggie ferments in 7 easy steps!
Save and set outer cabbage leaves aside (use at end), chop cabbage, carrots, and beets* into a bowl
2. Add 1-2 tbsp salt and leave to sit for 1-2 hours to soften.
3. Add desired spices, and enjoy the therapy of squeezing and massaging the veggies to draw the moisture out (for spices, some of our favorites are cumin, black peppercorns, and fresh dill.
4. Stuff the veggies in the jar, making sure the veggies are packed tight and that the water covers the vegetables completely.
5. Take the outer cabbage leaves that you saved and fold them under the tapered jar inside the jar on top of the chopped veggies. Work it so that the leaves are submerged and also hold all the little veggie pieces in place.
*If needed, pour a little extra salty water to top it off. Then put the lid for the jar on loose
6. Cover the jar with the lid loosely, so that the air can pass through, or use a cheesecloth, dishcloth, or any piece of cloth with a rubberband to keep all insects out.
7. Leave it on a counter top for 2 weeks to a month away from direct sunlight, topping off more water if needed to keep everything submerged. Evaporation of the water level often occurs.
Enjoy your kraut or kimchee straight out of the jar, mixed in rice, added as a salad dressing, as addition to eggs, or added on top of a stir fry for your probiotic goodness. Or let us know how you like to eat it below!
*you can use any other veggie and spices you choose, to preference
Let me know if you have any further questions on the comment section below…
All pics taken from our “Make your own Kimchee” Video coming soon !
Heres a look at some yumdiddlyumptious autumn olive fruit leather.
After wild-crafting and freezing over 30 cups last year (freezing is essential to drive out the tannic taste) I thawed and made autumn olive fruit leather.
The benefits of having fruit leather is that it is a lightweight and storable trail food, which is high in vitamin c, one of the highest source of lycopene (a potent anti-oxidant) and if you don’t strain the seeds out, also high in omega fatty 3 acids.
Oddly enough, this plant is known as an “invasive” plant but the solution is in the problem! All one truly has to do is realize that nature grows food and medicine everywhere.
Here is my proposal for localizing and building a sustainable cottage industry We can easily make organic and sustainably harvested fruit leather. And the best part is that these are not made with any sugar, preservatives, artificial colors or flavors. But only the best of raw local honey, wild autumn olives, and maple syrup which we get in bulk from friends.
Also, check out the return to nature autumn olive video explaining how to identify them below the recipe…
Dans Foragers Fruit Leather Recipe:
1 tray in Dehydrator:
1 batch per dehydrator tray
1 lb autumn olive thawed
2 tbsp lemon juice
4 tbsp maple syrup
Instructions:
Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.
If needed to help blender add 2 tablespoons of water.
Pour the autumn olive slurry into the dehydrator trays for fruit leather.
Spread evenly about an inch away from edges.
Dehydrate until it’s no longer sticky when touched.
Cut into strips and roll, store in a ball jar or paper bag.
Heres a peek at what leads up to the first question:
Rewilding means to return to a more wild or natural state; it is the process of un-doing domestication. The term emerged from the green anarchism and anarcho-primitivism political theories, in which humans are believed to be “civilized” or “domesticated” by industrial and agricultural progress. Supporters of rewilding argue that through the process of domestication, human wildness has been altered by force.
Rewilding is considered a holistic approach to living, as opposed to skills, practices or a specific set of knowledge.
Prelude:
“The function of the dream is as the Gaian teaching voice. The Logos is returning.” – Dan
Yarrow – Achillea millefolia (Asteracea) is a great plant ally. Seen here is a photo of yarrow in flower. This plant is commonly worked with as a tea, in a salve, or tincture. A tea or tincture of yarrow is good for cold and flu and heats up the body to induce sweating. It’s also famous as an antiparasitic tea or tincture.
A salve of yarrow has been long worked with topically for wound healing by increasing the speed of healing wounds, reducing scarring, and keeping out infection. In clinical studies it has been shown to regrow the epithelial tissue of skin, confirming what the ancient traditions have already been saying without subjecting rats to torture, or spending millions of dollars.
As a styptic and coagulant, the leaf can be broken up and directly applied to a cut, although it will burn. In the herbal tradition, yarrow and comfrey together combine to hasten wound healing wonderfully; comfrey healing the internal skin layers, and yarrow healing the outer layers. In clinical
With many plants in the aster family, including yarrow it is important to harvest what are called the “flowering tops”; this means stem, leaf, and flowers harvested a few inches up so that the plant can still reproduce itself and go to seed. (Seen Below)
Another great way to work with yarrow is for every time anyone would use hand sanitizer. Instead, you could use fresh yarrow leaf and rub it into your hands. It’s also a great bug repellent too when rubbed on the skin. Chemically this is because those smells are of course plant-chemicals and those chemicals are made by the plant to repel bugs from eating their own bodies, notice how no bugs eat yarrow.
Remember, when foraging around, it is best to harvest no more than 30% of what you find in any given area. Harvest sustainably and with care always. Check out my video series on yarrow medicine making and much more at www.returntonature.us
Here are 2 videos on foraging and identifying yarrow, and indigenous medicine perspective of plant-sense-meditations.
Enjoy,
Dandelion
Foraging for Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) – Return to Nature – Pt 1
Here is a video discussing ways to work with yarrow to tap into our innate indigenous awareness that has built our brains and bodies.
Yarrow and Indigenous Medicine Perspectives – Return to Nature – Pt. 2
Dans Foragers Fruit Leather Recipe:
Remember, when foraging around, it is best to harvest no more than 30% of what you find in any given area. Harvest sustainably and with care always. Check out my video series on 