AUTONOMOUS PROJECT

AMARANTH & QUINOA

Smooth Pigweed (Amaranthus hybridus)

Redroot Pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus)

Lamb's Quarters (Chenopodium berlandieri)

INFO Smooth pigweed and Redroot pigweed (Amaranth)

- leaves are suitable as a potherb
- young leaves edible raw
- seeds can be winnowed, roasted and ground into a flour

Lamb's Quarters (Quinoa)

- leaves edible raw
- flower clusters can be eaten raw
- seeds edible raw
- seeds can be ground into a bitter black flour (seeds are best cooked before being ground)

Environment

Amaranth and Lamb's Quarters is found in farmer's fields/cultivated areas (not recommended to consume from these areas due to nitrates), disturbed areas, wetlands, plains, foothills and montane regions.

Properties

The seeds contain vitamins, minerals and trace elements (A, B folic acid-B9, C). Seeds are an excellent source of proteins. A good source of calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper and zinc.

PLANTAGO (PLANTAIN)

Common Plantago (Plantago major)

Narrow-leaved Plantain (Plantago lanceolata)

INFO Common Plantago and Narrow-leaved Plantain

- leaves are best finely chopped or when cooked with fibers removed
- seeds can be dried and ground into flour/meal
- roots are edible raw or cooked

Environment

Plantagos are found almost everywhere, on street sidewalks, parks, fields/disturbed areas, and forest clearings.

Properties

Leaves - relaxing expectorant, toning mucous membranes, relieves dry cough, treats extrenal injuries, skin infections and insect bites. The seeds contain oils and proteins.

DANDELION

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

Agoseris (Agoseris aurantiaca)

INFO Dandilion and Agoseris

- all parts of plant are edible raw
- young leaves or those growing where there is less/no sunlight are the least bitter
- older leaves are best when boiled in 2 changes of water and/or with midveins removed
- roots are best when collected in spring/autumn, peeled, sliced and cooked in 2 changes of water with pinch of baking soda
- roots can be roasted as coffee substitute
- unopened flower buds can be eaten raw or used in cooking
- seeds with the parachute removed can be eaten or ground into flour

Environment

Grows in a wide range of terrain, look for dandelion in disturbed/cultivated soil areas. Agoseris grows in montane, and subalpine regions.

Properties

Good source of potassium, iron, vitamin A, B, C, D, calcium and other minerals. Leaves - diuretic, digestive tonic and hepatic. Roots - diuretic, liver tonic, and anti-rheumatic. Eliminates toxins and water retention.

THISTLE

Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare)

Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense)

INFO Bull Thistle and Canada Thistle

- roots are best when boiled or roasted
- roots contains the starch inulin, which breaks down into a sugar when cooked
- cooked roots can be dried and ground to flour
- stems and leaves are edible raw, after peeling to remove prickles
- immature flowerheads are edible raw, but best when steamed

Environment

Grows across wide range, in plains, foothills, montane, and subalpine regions.

Properties

Root has been chewed as a remedy for toothache. Thistles contain silymarin, a substance that reduces the penetration of toxic substances in the liver cells (tonic, diuretic, astringent, antiphlogistic, anti-inflammatory, antivirale, antitoxique and hepatic).

CATTAILS

Common Cattail (Typha latifolia)

INFO Common Cattail

- tender, white inner part of shoots/plants is edible raw
- cattail pollen is bright yellow and can be gathered by shaking a pollen-laden spike into a bag, which yeilds about one tablespoon of powder
- pollen can be used as flour, suitable for pancakes, etc.
- pollen is available to gather before the plant develops its long, brown cylinder resembling a hotdog on a stick
- green flower spikes can be cooked and eaten like corn on cob
- starchy white core of rhizome can be eaten raw
- white core can be boiled, baked, or dried and ground into flour, or boiled into syrup
- roots can be peeled and crushed under water, the fibers strained out and the starch washed in several changes of water
- fluff from the brown-cylinder can be burned to separate and parch the seeds, which are edible
- An edible oil is obtained from the seed

Environment

Look for cattails growing on the shores of lakes and ponds, in flooded areas and in ditches.

Properties

The root contains about 80% carbohydrate (30 - 46% starch) and 6 - 8% protein. The leaves are diuretic. The pollen is astringent, diuretic, emmenagogue, haemostatic, refrigerant, sedative and vulnerary. The dried pollen is said to be anticoagulant, but when roasted with charcoal it becomes haemostatic. It is used internally in the treatment of kidney stones, haemorrhage, painful menstruation, abnormal uterine bleeding, post-partum pains, abscesses and cancer of the lymphatic system. Externally, it is used in the treatment of tapeworms, diarrhoea and injuries. A decoction of the stems has been used in the treatment of whooping cough. The roots are diuretic, galactogogue, refrigerant, tonic and pounded into a jelly-like consistency and applied as a poultice to wounds, cuts, boils, sores, carbuncles, inflammations, burns and scalds. The young flower heads are eaten as a treatment for diarrhoea. The seeds down has been used as a dressing on burns and scalds.

BURDOCK

Great Burdock (Arctium lappa)

Common Burdock (Arctium minus)

Woolly Burdock (Arctium tomentosum)

INFO Burdock

- young leaves are edible raw
- older leaves are best when boiled in 1-2 changes of water with pinch of baking soda
- roots of first year plants can be cooked in a soup or stir-fry
- roots can be mashed and fried as patties
- roots can be dried for storage
- roots can be roasted/ground as coffee substitute
- roots are best when shredded/sliced and soaked in water for 5-10 minutes to reduce harshness
- white pith of young flower stalks is edible raw

Environment

Look for burdock on disturbed soil sites.

Properties

Contains vitamins B1, folic acid, potassium, iron and silica (important element of the binding of calcium - health of skin, nail and to remove impurities from the body). Used for centuries by Western herbalists, Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine (purifying, antibiotic, antiseptic and diuretic). Its root is rich in inulin and polyunsaturated compounds that confer antibacterial and anti-fungal. Also hypoglycemic and may be useful in cases of diabetes.

JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE

Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus Tuberosus)

INFO Jerusalem Artichoke

- tuber is edible raw (close taste of artichoke and turnip)
- tuber is best when cooked, and similar to a potato
- tuber has high nutritional value

Environment

Grows in moist soil and thickets.

Properties

Contains many vitamins, including A, C, B1, B3 and B5, minerals (potassium, phosphorus) mainly in the form of inulin. Right amount of carbohydrates, fiber and iron. Beneficial for intestinal health, prevention of colon and breast cancer.

CANADA WILD GINGER

Canada Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense)

INFO Canada Wild Ginger

- rhizome is edible raw
- rhizome can be dried and ground

Environment

Grows in moist, shaded foothill and mountain regions.

Properties

Contains B vitamins (niacin, riboflavin, thiamine), vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, minerals, starch (60%), proteins (9%), lipids (6-8%), resin, essential oils (1 to 3% or 25 ml/ kg) mainly sesquiterpenes (zingiberene, curcumene, bisabolene) gingerols (responsible for the very strong flavor) and gingerdiols. Like a fire, ginger active all metabolism. It stimulates digestion and protects the gastric mucosa.

SUMAC

Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina)

Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra)

INFO Staghorn Sumac and Smooth Sumac

- berry is reddish, hairy, and has lemony taste
- berry can be eaten raw to quench thirst
- berry can be crushed in water to make refreshing drink
- new shoots can be eaten raw

Environment

Grows in plains and foothills on dry slopes.

Properties

Rich in vitamin C and tannins - diuretic, antispasmodic, vulnerary (against knocks and injuries). In folk medicine, Native Americans attribute its properties to treat arthritis and diarrhea and the Algonquins of Quebec properties to stimulate the appetite.

CHICORY

Chicory (Cichorium intybus)

INFO Chicory

- leaves can be eaten raw
- leaves are best when young and/or growing in areas protected from direct sunlight
- older leaves are best when cooked in several changes of water
- young plant, including flower heads can be cooked
- roots can be eaten raw when young
- roots can be split, dried and roasted to make coffee substitute

Environment

Look for chicory on disturbed ground, ranging from plains and foothills to montane regions.

Properties

Good source of protein, beta-carotene, vitamin A, B, C, E, K, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, phosphorus, sodium and zinc. It is a bitter tonic, cholagogue, blood cleanser, and light laxative.

CANADIAN GOLDENROD

Canadian Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis)

INFO Canadian goldenrod

- plants can be cooked
- flowers are edible raw
- seeds are edible raw

Environment

Grows in open plains, foothills, and montane regions.

Properties

Stimulant, sudorific, tonic, carminative, appetizer, anti-inflammatory and pectoral. Used for colds, lung ailments, nausea and pain caused by the "winds". Type of flavonoid-rich vitamin P, it is useful in the treatment of varicose veins. Also one of the best herbs to strengthen the renal system and effective in cases of skin disease, rheumatism and arthritis.

DOCK

Dock (Rumex crispus)

INFO Dock

- young leaves are edible raw
- leaves are best when boiled in several changes of water
- fruit can be winnowed to separate outer hull for collecting seeds
- seeds can be boiled to mush, or ground into flour
- seeds can be leached in cold water before using as food

Environment

Grows in moist areas and disturbed sites in the plains, foothills, and montane regions.

Properties

The leaves are very rich in vitamins, protein and minerals, especially iron, vitamins A, C and potassium. The root is alterative, antiscorbutic, astringent, cholagogue, depurative, laxative and mildly tonic. Externally, the root can be mashed and used as a poultice and salve, or dried and used as a dusting powder, on sores, ulcers, wounds and various other skin problems. Has a positive effect on restraining the progress made by cancer, being used as an alterative and tonic.

COLTSFOOT

Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara)

INFO Coltsfoot

- flowerheads edible raw or cooked
- edible leaves - very young, they can be eaten raw, especially petiole is juicy. The leaves soon become rubbery and are best cooked
- ash dried and burned leaves creates a salt substitute
- an aromatic tea is made from the fresh or dried leaves and flower
- leaves as smoked tobacco

Environment

Rich unstable soils, wastelands and disturbed sites.

Properties

Softener, emollient, antitussive, expectorant, stimulant and tonic. The infusions of leaves or flowers used for coughs, bronchitis, tracheitis and colds. But it is above the flowers are used in infusion or syrup. Also tincture flowers used if pectoral diseases, allergic bronchitis and asthma attacks. The mother tincture leaves, for it is used externally in cases of abscesses and cysts and internal use in case of diarrhea. A poultice of the flowers has a soothing effect on a range of skin disorders including eczema, ulcers, sores, bites and inflammations.

OXEYE DAISY

Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare)

Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum Vvulgare)

Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare)

INFO Oxeye Daisy

- young leaves can be eaten raw
- young and fresh leaves are eaten in salads
- dried flowers in infusion
- spring shoots are edible raw
- roots are edible raw
- unopened flower buds can be used for flavouring

Environment

Grows in fields, pastured, disturbed areas and roadsides.

Properties

Antispasmodic, antitussive, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, tonic and vulnerary. The plant has been employed successfully in the treatment of whooping cough, asthma and nervous excitability. Externally it is used as a lotion on bruises, wounds, ulcers and some cutaneous diseases. A decoction of the dried flowers and stems has been used as a wash for chapped hands. A distilled water made from the flowers is an effective eye lotion in the treatment of conjunctivitis.

CLOVER

Clover (Trifolium)

INFO Clover

- above-ground parts can be eaten raw
- best when cooked or dipped in salt water to counteract bloating
- flowerheads can be eaten raw, dried or cooked
- flowerheads and seed heads can be ground into flour
- sprouts have the best taste
- creeping stems and roots can be cooked

Environment

Grows in a wide range of terrain, look in disturbed soil areas.

Properties

The plant is antirheumatic, antiscrophulatic, depurative, detergent and tonic. Infusion used in the treatment of coughs, colds, fevers and leucorrhoea. A tincture of the leaves is applied as an ointment to gout. An infusion of the flowers can be used as an eyewash.