"...Out Like A Lamb..."

A close up of the beautiful Stachys byzantina.

It's been a few weeks since I've posted on here, but what an interesting few weeks it has been! The herbs are quickly coming back, and each hike or run I go on I'm identifying more and more that I will soon wildcraft for various reasons, whether they be for food or simple medicinal purposes.

Why do I use that term "wildcraft"? Why not say "forage"?

There is indeed a difference between the two, and one is more kind to nature than the other. When you wildcraft, you take only what you need, harvesting from the plant in such a way as to harm it little as possible and if there are any seeds or roots that pertain to the reproducing of the plant, you should replant part of the roots and a few of seeds.

When you forage, typically you do so without as much care or thought put into the harvesting. For instance, one may forage for bark of a certain tree and take the branch, but when you wildcraft you harvest the bark carefully as to limit the tree's chances of risk of disease.

The first plant that I've noticed would be the Stachys byzantina, or the common "lamb's ear". Growing up I liked to play with this plant's soft leaves, as they feel what one would imagine as an actual lamb's ear!

Centuries ago this plant was used for wound dressing, and people used to believe it was healing for both physical and spiritual ailments. Today, we know this herb is useful when treating symptoms of the nervous system, bladder problems, sore throats and has a sedative affect on the person ingesting the herb.

There are many ways you can use this herb: tea, decoction, infusion of oil for a bandage dressing as it is antibacterial, or steaming the leaves and eating with a dish. I have steamed the leaves and ate it myself, it is a very bitter herb and I would suggest not eating it alone but adding it to a dish.

For a tea: 1 oz of dried herb (or 2 oz of fresh) in 1 cup of boiling water and steep for at least 15 minutes. Take three to five times I one day. Do not save over 24 hours.

For a decoction: 1 oz of dried herb (or 2 oz of fresh) in 1 of boiling water, then turn down heat to a simmer until 1 third of the water has gone. Take 1 tablespoon three to five times daily. Store for no longer than 48 hours.

​ For an infusion: 1 oz of dried herb (or 2 oz of fresh herb) to 1 cup of chosen oil such as olive or sweet almond. Infuse oil and herb on a double boiler for 20 to 30 minutes, but be sure not to get the oil too hot! This can be store in a jar, hidden from light and kept in a cool cabinet for up to a year or even beyond, but be aware of oils going rancid and toss if so!

You can also infuse oils in jars by filling them half way with herb and the rest of the way with chosen oil. Put the jar in a sauce pan with water coming up to the middle of the jar. Heat on low for 2 hours, or instead of using the stove just place jar in a cabinet and let infuse for six weeks.

*Note* Be sure when using fresh herbs that the herb is completely dry or else the oil will have the chance of mold contamination.

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The start of a salve is to begin the process of choosing an herb to infuse oil with.

"Stachys" is derived from Greek and means spike; "Byzantina" is to symbolize that it came from the Byzantine empire, now known as the area Turkey is.

Lamb's ear can grow just about anywhere, but I have a lamb's ear "garden" on the soil my dad moved.

Try your hand at wildcrafting this herb! Take only what you need and be sure not to take the largest leaves, as those are the plant's "powerhouse" for "solar energy". Please comment or share and let me know how it goes.

​Good of health to you and yours!