The dandelions grow extra tall in the shade in my yard, so this year I harvested them to try out for weaving. They were a joy to work with! Way stronger than I thought and very pliable. Almost like rubber. I highly recommend trying it. You can make cordage, baskets and more! If you love foraging and making things with plants, subscribe and stick around here on my channel!

After practicing with cattail and cedar bark, I am proud to say that I made my first willow bark hat with bark that I harvested in June. The material was actually pretty easy to work with, and dried to be light and stiff. I love being involved in every step of the process from gathering the material to weaving to wearing :) Subscribe if you love to make things with plants!

One thing I appreciate about self heal (Prunella vulgaris) is that it's so easy to overlook. It's a common plant that many people walk past every summer, yet it has a long history of use across Europe and Asia and remains one of my favorite herbs for soothing irritated skin. In this video, I'll show you how to identify self heal, where I find it growing in Washington, how I harvest it sustainably, and how I turn the dried flowers into an alcohol intermediary infused oil that I love using as an after-sun oil. We'll cover: 🌿 How to identify self heal (Prunella vulgaris) 🌿 Where it grows and when to harvest it 🌿 Traditional herbal uses and current research 🌿 Sustainable harvesting tips 🌿 My favorite method for making a self heal infused oil 📚 Research review mentioned in the video: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9261270/ Update: A knowledgeable viewer pointed out something really interesting! After looking into it further, it appears that the self heal growing where I filmed is the native North American subspecies (Prunella vulgaris subsp. lanceolata), rather than an introduced Eurasian form as I had assumed. The best way to tell is that the leaves are much longer in the native one, and some people online suggest that the flowers are also much more vibrant in the native one. I still feel comfortable harvesting abundantly from this species due to it's growth habit. Thanks to everyone who shared resources and helped me learn something new. I always appreciate opportunities to make my content more accurate! I also love that there is a native self heal, because it is SO beautiful! Hi! I'm Natalie from The Adiantum School of Plant Medicine. I'm an herbalist, photographer, and author passionate about helping people learn the plants growing right outside their doors. Whether you're interested in foraging, medicinal plants, edible wild foods, or herbal medicine making, you'll find new videos here every week. 📖 Books: Medicinal Plants of the Pacific Northwest Edible Plants of the Pacific Northwest Winter Twigs of the Pacific Northwest 🌿 Learn more: Website: www.adiantumschool.com Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/thebackcountryherbalist/posts Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adiantumschool/ #herbalism #foraging #selfheal #prunellavulgaris #medicinalplants #plantmedicine #wildcrafting #herbalmedicine #pnwforaging

Preorder direct from me: https://nataliehammerquist.square.site/product/preorder-winter-twigs-of-the-pacific-northwest-signed-copy-ships-early-sept-/BZGJJVC3PQMOX4TIBMU2NKMB?cp=true&sa=true&sbp=false&q=false Preorder from my publisher: https://www.mountaineers.org/books/books/winter-twigs-of-the-pacific-northwest-common-trees-shrubs

Mullein is one of the most recognizable medicinal plants in North America, but there's a lot more to this fuzzy-leaved herb than most people realize. In this video, I cover how to identify mullein, where it grows, how to harvest it ethically, and the traditional medicinal uses of the leaf, root, and flower. You'll also see how I prepare mullein leaf tea and mullein root tincture, along with detailed comparisons between mullein and several common lookalikes. In this video: • How to identify mullein (Verbascum thapsus) • Where mullein grows and how to find it • Harvesting and processing mullein leaves and roots • Traditional medicinal uses of the leaf, root, and flower • Making mullein leaf tea • Mullein lookalikes compared side-by-side Mullein has a long history of use in Western herbalism and folk medicine, particularly for respiratory support, but every plant has nuances that are worth understanding before harvesting or using it. I'm now selling signed copies of my books from my website! https://www.adiantumschool.com/book 🌿 Find more plant resources, classes, and articles: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/thebackcountryherbalist/posts As always, this video is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Be sure to positively identify any wild plant before harvesting or consuming it.

Spring has arrived in the mountains, and the lime green conifer tips are beginning to emerge. In this video I head into the conifer forests near my home to harvest fresh Douglas fir tips, explore the timing of spring emergence across different conifer species, and prepare a few simple conifer remedies and foods at home. Along the way we encounter grand fir, mountain rivers, drifting clouds… and even an owl with a freshly caught mouse. Note for viewers: I remastered the sound from the old video and reuploaded. Thanks to those who commented and helped out! In this video: • How to identify and harvest Douglas fir tips • Differences between Douglas fir, firs, and spruces • Conifer emergence timing in spring • Drying Douglas fir tips • Douglas fir tip cold infusion • Douglas fir tip syrup preparation 🌿 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/thebackcountryherbalist/posts Disclaimer: This video is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always properly identify wild plants before use.

In this video, I share 20 common wild medicinal plants that grow across much of the United States. These are plants that are widespread, practical, and deeply useful for herbal medicine — the kinds of plants I come back to again and again in my own practice. You'll see a mix of roots, leaves, flowers, and tree medicines, including plants for digestion, skin support, first aid, the nervous system, and overall vitality. Many of these grow in backyards, along trails, and in disturbed ground — which means they’re often closer than you think. Whether you're new to herbalism or looking to deepen your relationship with medicinal plants, this is a strong foundation of plants worth getting to know. 🌿 Want to learn more about medicinal plants? I wrote a field guide called Medicinal Plants of the Pacific Northwest, which includes detailed plant profiles, preparation methods, and practical uses. If you purchase it from the link in this post, I get a little affiliate income, too! 🌱 Go deeper with me on Patreon I teach monthly classes on wild foods, herbal medicine, and practical plant knowledge. If you'd like more in-depth learning and a supportive plant community, you can join here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/thebackcountryherbalist/posts Safety note: Always be 100% confident in plant identification before using any wild plant medicinally. Some plants have toxic lookalikes, and others can interact with medications. Use multiple sources, learn proper preparation methods, and work within your scope of knowledge. Thanks for watching, and happy foraging 🌿 Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:24 Dandelion 00:56 Plantain 01:37 Yarrow 02:17 Nettle 02:58 Red clover 03:28 Horsetail 04:11 Mallow 04:47 Elder (flower & berry) 05:21 Cleavers 05:52 Burdock 06:18 Yellow dock 06:46 Rose 07:19 Hawthorn 07:49 Mullein 08:34 Cedar 09:17 California poppy 09:45 St. John’s wort 10:16 Willow 10:46 Poplar buds 11:22 Mugwort 11:57 My book!

In this video, I share 20 common wild edible plants that grow across much of the United States. These are plants that are widespread, useful as food, and worth getting to know if you're interested in foraging or wild foods. You'll see a mix of greens, berries, roots, nuts, and tree foods — many of which grow in backyards, along trails, and in disturbed ground. Whether you're new to foraging or looking to deepen your knowledge, these are some of the plants I come back to again and again. 🌿 Want to learn more about wild edible plants? I wrote a field guide called Edible Plants of the Pacific Northwest, which includes detailed plant profiles, harvesting tips, and recipes. If you purchase it from the link in this post, I get a little affiliate income, too! 🌱 Go deeper with me on Patreon I teach monthly classes on wild foods, herbal medicine, and practical plant knowledge. If you'd like more in-depth learning and a supportive plant community, you can join here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/thebackcountryherbalist/posts Safety note: Always be 100% confident in plant identification before eating any wild plant. Use multiple sources, pay attention to look-alikes, and harvest responsibly. Thanks for watching, and happy foraging 🌿 Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:27 Dandelion 00:55 Chickweed 01:27 Lamb's quarters 01:53 Purslane 02:22 Sheep sorrel 02:50 Nettle 03:31 Burdock 03:54 Japanese knotweed 04:26 Wild Blackberry 04:56 Wild blueberry 05:32 wild strawberry 06:06 rose hip 06:42 hawthorn 07:11 elderberry 07:46 hazelnut 08:15 oak 08:49 Wild violet 09:30 miner's lettuce 09:54 fir and spruce tips 10:39 more info and my book!

Purslane is one of my favorite wild edible plants—and once you learn to recognize it, you’ll start seeing it everywhere. This humble “weed” is actually a succulent, incredibly drought-tolerant, and packed with nutrients. In this short video, I’ll show you how to identify purslane, how to harvest it, and a few simple ways to enjoy eating it. It’s a great reminder that some of the most nourishing foods are already growing around us. If you’d like to go deeper into wild foods, my book Edible Plants of the Pacific Northwest includes detailed plant profiles, harvesting tips, and recipes to help you confidently use wild plants in your kitchen. And if you enjoy learning about plants with me, I share monthly classes, plant walks, and behind-the-scenes projects over on Patreon. Learn more: 🌿 Get my book: Edible Plants of the Pacific Northwest (follow youtube shopping link) 🌿 Join my Patreon for classes and plant education: https://www.patreon.com/cw/thebackcountryherbalist/posts A few quick notes about purslane: • It’s a succulent with a crisp texture and mild flavor • Best harvested young, before stems become fibrous • Can be eaten raw, cooked, or pickled • Often grows in dry, disturbed soils and sidewalk cracks • Considered a nutrient-dense plant rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants Always harvest from clean areas away from contamination, and be sure of your identification before eating any wild plant.