How to: Foraging for Summer Edibles 13 - Milkweed & Wild Bergamot
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07/17/2014
Here we look at flowers for both common milkweed, which I understand is edible, and wild bergamot which is both a wild spice and has medicinal properties.
Wild bergamot smells and tastes alot like oregano. You can use both the flowers and leaves, raw or dried. I have smoked meat with wild bergamot, it is a very good wild spice.
The plants featured are:
Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)
Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
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FORAGING RULES:
1). Only harvest plants that you have 110% positively identified.
2). Only harvest from areas where you have permission to do so.
3). Only harvest from areas you know are not sprayed, contaminated, or polluted.
4).Only use your harvest after they have been well washed in water.
5). Only ingest small amounts at first; If you choose to do so it is AT YOUR OWN RISK! DO NOT use this short video as the source of truth...DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH and/or find someone in your area who is knowledgeable and competent
#5 is especially important if you are new to wild foraging. Aside from the obvious dangers of thistles, poison ivy, poison oak, and deadly water hemlock...Many wild plants contain off the charts vitamins and minerals which might create a shock to your system...considering the nutrient count of your average domesticated vegetable foodstuffs.
Also and adendem to rule #1 is follow Green Deane's of EatTheWeeds I.T.E.M-ize Rules:
(I)dentify the plant beyond doubt....be sure it is the right
(T)ime of year. Check its
(E)nvironment. This involves two things. One is making sure it is growing in the right place. The other is making sure the plant is getting clean water and is not in polluted soil. And then...
(M)ethod of preparation.
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