Wildcrafting Guidelines
The basic rule of thumb of wildcrafting is to take at most 1/3 of a plant. But before doing so,
consider the possibility that someone has already taken that 1/3. This is a possibility,
especially when the plant grows close to a highly populated area or is currently trendy.
consider the possibility that someone has already taken that 1/3. This is a possibility,
especially when the plant grows close to a highly populated area or is currently trendy.
MANY WEEDS ARE ALSO HERBS
One simple way to avoid the potential issues of wildcrafting is to harvest the weeds in your garden or surroundings. Plants like dandelions and broadleaf plantain can grow almost anywhere, and they can be used for both medicinal and culinary purposes. Do not pick these weeds from areas treated with harmful landscaping or farming chemicals.
HARVEST SUSTAINABLY
Before harvesting any plant in the wild, check for any local guidelines about the plant you wish to harvest. Without specific guidelines, you can study the area and the plant population before harvesting. Some plants may be struggling and need to be left alone.
PROPER IDENTIFICATION IS IMPORTANT
Some plants are easy to recognize, like the broad, soft leaf of a mullein plant or the distinct blue flower of a chicory plant. Other plants can look too similar, like cow parsnip and poison hemlock. Wildcrafting can be educational and spiritually satisfying, but not when you put yourself in harm’s way. Always be 100% sure you know what you are harvesting.
HARVEST SAFELY
First, if a plant is hard to reach, leave it. Wildcrafting should be a fun activity without injury. Second, as you explore, ensure you know where you are so you stay aware of your location. Another safety issue is pollution. Avoid harvesting along roadsides or areas under construction.
ASK PERMISSION
Always begin by getting to know the plant. First, introduce yourself and listen to the plant. Then, ask before harvesting any part of the plant. You may find that the plant has guidance and wisdom to offer as it gives its permission.
DO NOT OVER-HARVEST
Follow the “rule of thirds” when harvesting from any particular plant, assuming the plant has that much to give. If you are harvesting the whole plant, make sure you do so in an area where there are lots more growing, and if you are harvesting more than one plant, follow the “one in ten” rule for any given site.
USE PROPER TOOLS
It is important to do as little damage to the plants as possible. Part of showing gratitude to the plant is treating it with respect. Make sure that the clippers, sheers, or scissors you bring are sharp and effective, and use the correct size tool for the job. Scissors will be fine to cut a few stems from a plant like wild mint or mugwort. However, if you are cutting a branch or thicker stem from a plant like a bay tree, make sure you have clippers that will cut in one quick motion.
HAVE A PLANT TO CARRY THE HARVEST HOME SAFELY
Protecting your harvest in whatever way will keep the plant parts intact and usable until you get home is important. It is wasteful and disrespectful to harvest a plant just to toss it later because it didn’t survive the trip.
LEAVE THE AREA AS YOU FOUND IT
Be careful not to trample any plants in the area where you are wildcrafting. Remember that you are a visitor in their home, and all that live there are important to the ecosystem. If you are harvesting the whole plant, be careful to disturb the ground as little as possible and fill in any hole you make.
One exception to this rule is removing an invasive species. If you know a plant is invasive and is crowding out native plants, feel free to rip those out. The native plants will thank you.
GIVE THANKS
Before leaving the area, give thanks to the plants and the land. You can do this in any number of ways. Perhaps sit with them for a moment and listen. They might bring your attention to a piece of trash you could carry out with you, or a plant might have a fallen branch or other plant matter on top of it that it would like you to remove. You might offer a splash of water to the plant you cut from. In whatever way you give thanks, make sure it feels heartfelt and authentic.
One simple way to avoid the potential issues of wildcrafting is to harvest the weeds in your garden or surroundings. Plants like dandelions and broadleaf plantain can grow almost anywhere, and they can be used for both medicinal and culinary purposes. Do not pick these weeds from areas treated with harmful landscaping or farming chemicals.
HARVEST SUSTAINABLY
Before harvesting any plant in the wild, check for any local guidelines about the plant you wish to harvest. Without specific guidelines, you can study the area and the plant population before harvesting. Some plants may be struggling and need to be left alone.
PROPER IDENTIFICATION IS IMPORTANT
Some plants are easy to recognize, like the broad, soft leaf of a mullein plant or the distinct blue flower of a chicory plant. Other plants can look too similar, like cow parsnip and poison hemlock. Wildcrafting can be educational and spiritually satisfying, but not when you put yourself in harm’s way. Always be 100% sure you know what you are harvesting.
HARVEST SAFELY
First, if a plant is hard to reach, leave it. Wildcrafting should be a fun activity without injury. Second, as you explore, ensure you know where you are so you stay aware of your location. Another safety issue is pollution. Avoid harvesting along roadsides or areas under construction.
ASK PERMISSION
Always begin by getting to know the plant. First, introduce yourself and listen to the plant. Then, ask before harvesting any part of the plant. You may find that the plant has guidance and wisdom to offer as it gives its permission.
DO NOT OVER-HARVEST
Follow the “rule of thirds” when harvesting from any particular plant, assuming the plant has that much to give. If you are harvesting the whole plant, make sure you do so in an area where there are lots more growing, and if you are harvesting more than one plant, follow the “one in ten” rule for any given site.
USE PROPER TOOLS
It is important to do as little damage to the plants as possible. Part of showing gratitude to the plant is treating it with respect. Make sure that the clippers, sheers, or scissors you bring are sharp and effective, and use the correct size tool for the job. Scissors will be fine to cut a few stems from a plant like wild mint or mugwort. However, if you are cutting a branch or thicker stem from a plant like a bay tree, make sure you have clippers that will cut in one quick motion.
HAVE A PLANT TO CARRY THE HARVEST HOME SAFELY
Protecting your harvest in whatever way will keep the plant parts intact and usable until you get home is important. It is wasteful and disrespectful to harvest a plant just to toss it later because it didn’t survive the trip.
LEAVE THE AREA AS YOU FOUND IT
Be careful not to trample any plants in the area where you are wildcrafting. Remember that you are a visitor in their home, and all that live there are important to the ecosystem. If you are harvesting the whole plant, be careful to disturb the ground as little as possible and fill in any hole you make.
One exception to this rule is removing an invasive species. If you know a plant is invasive and is crowding out native plants, feel free to rip those out. The native plants will thank you.
GIVE THANKS
Before leaving the area, give thanks to the plants and the land. You can do this in any number of ways. Perhaps sit with them for a moment and listen. They might bring your attention to a piece of trash you could carry out with you, or a plant might have a fallen branch or other plant matter on top of it that it would like you to remove. You might offer a splash of water to the plant you cut from. In whatever way you give thanks, make sure it feels heartfelt and authentic.