What are y'all doing this weekend?? I'm facilitating an indigenous sweat lodge ceremony this Sunday. Its $44 per person. We have a few seats left. Sorry for the late notice! Lmk if you're interested! On another note! There's so much blossoming right now! I can't wait for it to rain a little so we can get some morels poppin! I just seen some yellow root coming up next to a river yesterday! I'll post some pics and videos later!

You've been seeing the flowers everywhere! But let's make some medicine out of em! Although, most of the plant is HIGHLY TOXIC... The flowers are super medicinal and are a great way to start your spring apothecary! They're chock full of antiinflammatory, antioxidants, antimicrobial and anti cancer properties. Only one time a year you can get this stuff! Better tap in on this years spring flower blowout!!! Brought to you by wisteria sinensis.

you probably been out on the trails lately and seen a shrub that looks like it’s flickering silver in the wind. That’s the Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata). Now, some folks call it a "stubborn invader" because it’s a pioneer species—it loves disturbed soil and spreads like wildfire—but as an ethnobotanist, I see a powerhouse of resilience and nutrition that literally feeds the earth it stands on. How to Spot It! Look for a large, spreading shrub (sometimes up to 20 feet!) with oval leaves. The giveaway is the underside of the leaf—it’s covered in tiny silvery scales that shimmer. The Flowers: In late spring (April–June), it puts out these small, cream-colored tubes that smell interesting! The Fruit: Right now, we’re looking at those beautiful, speckled red berries. They usually peak from late August through October. But they are coming out right now as well! These berries taste really good!... Kinda like tart pomegranate meets a sweet grape. These berries have way more lycopene than a tomato (up to 17 times more!). Autumn Olive is packed with Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. Eating the seeds along with the pulp gives you a direct boost for heart health and fighting inflammation. It’s nature’s own "multivitamin" hiding in the thicket. Medicinal value: Digestive and Bowel Support: In traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine, the leaves are specifically used to treat bowel disorders. Respiratory Relief: Decoctions of the leaves have been traditionally used to address coughs, asthma, and general respiratory discomfort. Poultices: Freshly crushed leaves are applied topically to minor wounds, cuts, and skin irritations to promote healing. Antiseptic: Leaf tea can be used as an oral antiseptic for gum infections or as a gargle for sore throats. Liver Protection: Modern research indicates that leaf extracts may have hepatoprotective effects, helping to protect the liver from toxicity and damage. Inflammation and Pain: Scientific analysis has identified compounds like gallic acid and kaempferol in the leaves, which are potent inhibitors of inflammation and may help manage associated pain.

This week we talked about roots, berries, fungus growing in the winter. As well as how to identify what type of environments would be best to forage in the winter. Please leave a message in the discussion section if you have any questions or comments!