12 MUST-KNOW Backyard Medicinal Herbs (Foraging Medicinal Herbs)

[@andrealencione9298]

Would you consider doing a video of actually going out on an herb foraging trip to show where you find these different herbs, how to harvest them, and how to process them into teas, tinctures, etc.?

[@HomesteadingFamily]

Great idea!

[@ssstults999]

Right. I enjoyed hearing the benefits, but images of the plant would be SO much more helpful. Thank you both!

[@tracischeppert7784]

And how to identify

[@dancnluc1]

Another great video. I forage dandelions. One year, some friends ask us (a cousin and I got into wine making) to make Dandelion Wine. They picked the dandelions and cleaned them, so we made the wine. We split what was made. It turned out great. I made a dandelion salve. I keep powder root on hand. I also made a plaintain salve. I really got into foraging last year.

[@HomesteadingFamily]

Sounds great!

[@annmarygarcia1321]

Stinging nettle is also good for bleeding. I had horrible menstruation periods and it reduced not only the flow, but the number of days. I had also lost my hair at one time and took the stinging nettle for it to grow. It came back so beautiful that I would get stopped by cosmetologists wondering who did my hair. It was only nature through God. I swear by it. And now I've learned how to make tinctures and found a boat load growing in my other field.

[@amyl.3236]

I just harvested stinging nettle for the first time! In fact, I just removed a batch from the dehydrator, my left hand is stinging a bit 😢😂. How much and how often did you use the nettle, and in what form do you use it?

[@leavethemkidsalone860]

I would LOVE to know how you made this tincture

[@kristinbrown5683]

Yes. Me too!

[@theresacallowayakababydoll6210]

I just came across this video and saw these comments, I wanted to know what's good for cramps I've been craving every day now for about 2 to 3 months off n on. What can I do my cycles also have been off at times, I'll have 2 in one month

[@StephanieRosen-p9o]

@theresacallowayakababydoll6210 It could be a number of things but before you treat it, I would consult a Dr for the cause.​

[@andrewcampbell7011]

Hey fam, have you had any updates on the cause of the high glyphosate tests? Homestead supply chain safety is something we don’t think about enough. I really appreciate you sharing this deeply personal ordeal with us. God bless.

[@sherlynhistand6248]

I was wondering also

[@TapIntoAlignment]

Nettles - Excellent Adrenal tonic. (We probably all need in these times we're living in) Also an adaptogen and endocrine balancing. Ask her not to sting you when you ask if you can have some of her medicine. 🌱

[@Sue-ec6un]

It's is amazing to me that with all the medicinal plants in my naturalized yard, not one stinging nettle! i even tried to grow some in a pot...but to no avail. I guess it just doesn't like it here :)

[@homesteadrewind3948]

Such good advice to pick one or two and focus on them! When I first started trying to learn foraging herbs, I got so overwhelmed. I had to stop and refocus. The first year I focused on dandelion and Comfrey. Now Comfrey is part of my daily life and many of my friends ask for, my comfrey based salve last year I focused on Yarrow, which grows surprisingly well within 50 feet of where I live. Yarrow is one of my favorite herbs as I have found many uses for it. When you tincture it you can literally smell the medicine in it. Thanks for all you do!

[@gowest5145]

Any news on where the high levels of Round Up is coming from? Thanks for all your help.

[@jaysky2000]

I was going to ask the same thing. I'm looking forward to learning what they discover.

[@martimcgowan-chitwood761]

Another tidbit about dandelion. The root is generally considered more of a cholagogue and bitter, while the leaves are considered more of a diuretic and bitter. And I agree with you about including the dandy plant in one's garden and landscape. When there are dandelions, there's often a need for loosening tough terrain.

[@andrewheynig2721]

Plant Nasturtium plant one of the best antibiotics, along with Barberry

[@mybackyardhomestead144]

I love cleavers for its lymphatic system benefits. It helps to keep the lymphatic fluid moving. I make a mixture of cleavers and red clover tea for the lymphatic system, and keeping it from becoming stagnant.

[@rlhilliard6846]

Thank you so much. I'm retired and finally have the time, trying to learn plants for medicine and food and this helps!

[@jeaniedeveau]

I forage about this time of year in central Florida for native blackberries and this year in the same spot I always visit I found St. Johns wart. I took cuttings and rooted them out so now I have my own for the butterfly garden because they are beautiful. I live with serious nerve issues and am excited to try this to help.

[@Romans828girl]

I had no idea before this video that St. John's Wort could be foraged. I didn't know it could be found wild.

[@tammyhoushour8070]

I love mullein...i use it for asthma. I also use a lot of oil of oregano . I love herbs .❤ thank you for sharing with us .

[@ruthmcbride1778]

Soups, salads and smoothies are a good way to ingest many herbs

[@Sue-ec6un]

Good list and good advise, pick one and dive in! My medicinal cabinet overfloweth! And what a great way to live, free food, health and medicine at your fingertips! Also, you can feed it to your pets and livestock. Oh, and...they work!

[@1965gracebug]

Plantain is amazing!!! Took out a spider bite, mosquito bite and splinters like immediately!!

[@Romans828girl]

It's our first go-to for wasp stings.

[@jenniferarndt5373]

Excellent information! Thank you so much :) One caution: For those with hypothyroidism, mullein can actually suppress thyroid function.

[@Romans828girl]

Oh my goodness, I did not know this! Thank you so much!

[@arlenevieau5284]

Cleavers! I didn't know what they were called. I've been calling it the velcro plant! LOL Good to know it's useful

[@angiewatson8080]

You guys are awesome. Some of these plants I don't reconize. It would be great if you had pictures or the live plant to see. Thanks for all your information.

[@fourdayhomestead2839]

I signed up for their email & the link for detailed info & photos is included in it. There's also recommended books with photos.

[@HomesteadingFamily]

More on it here: homesteadingfamily.com/urban-foraging/

[@Biggdaddy903]

My kids collect dandelions and I will make dandy fritters with cashewbutter frosting. Devine taste.

[@m.r.jarrell3725]

You should add in some comfrey plants. Easy to grow and propagate (split the roots and replant!). Salves of this are great for burns and cutting scarring down from wounds.

[@shadytreez]

Awe...I have lots of burdock this year and wanted to learn more about it.

[@Sue-ec6un]

A good resource is The Homegrown Herbalist here on youtubechan. Lots of great information! He's been on this show with Carolyn.

[@LisaNye-z7q]

a spoon full of local raw honey every day on an empty stomach will take care of allergies as well. It may take a few months of doing it consistently but it works.

[@lesliekendall5668]

I'm 67 and decided when the jabs came out that I'd never go to a doctor again (even though I get free VA). Have needed stitches twice (one was 2 VERY bad cuts from falling with a fragile drinking glass that I was holding that broke in the fall....landed right on it trying to break my fall), got a simple arm fracture (again, from a "forced" backward fall as I was trying to lessen the pressure from a nail that was going through my foot that I'd stepped on) and just used an ACE bandage and couldn't use my arm for weeks, and most recently had excruciating pain in my abdomen (the woman's area) and what I did was cut a clove of garlic the short way, like cutting it into a "pill". Took 2 in the morning and 2 at night and it finally got better.

[@lydianeilklassen]

I know what you are saying...the institutions will never be viewed the same way again. Everything is exposed.

[@kleineroteHex]

Garlic is my number one for just about anything! But most of the herbs discussed I let grow in and around my garden, use seasonally as well as collecting, drying, tincturing. Best apothecary.

[@englishmaninco8711]

It’s true about your body craving the sauerkraut. My little children all eat it and sometimes ask for seconds

[@mercylyons1404]

Purslane! It grows everywhere in the East! Omega 3 fatty acids and more

[@barbarajuneelder20]

After receiving Doc Jones class in the STS, I made tinctures from Honduran pine here in Costa Rica, and have given it to our daughter whose cold virus symptoms disappeared after taking the pine tincture soon, often and after, as Doc J. recommended. What did you mean by “avoid tropical pines”?

[@karindinarda8755]

I live in Ohio and not far from Lehmans (about 45 min). I got my Pressure canner from them. I think they are a little expensive but you get what you pay for.

[@TapIntoAlignment]

Wow, how nice!! I'd spend too much.

[@laurenlarriviere6078]

I got my pressure canner from them as well. 🤗

[@sarahmiranda7130]

It's on my bucket list to vist that store. But I live in Idaho

[@karindinarda8755]

@@sarahmiranda7130 I just order online! They have deals on low shipping costs or no shipping if you get their newsletter.

[@DavidVanpelt-r5d]

Kids love slightly fermented strawberries with the syrup poured over a scoop of ricotta or cottage cheese. A winner desert and kids get the probiotics.

[@chargrisham856]

Syrup?? Do you ferment strawberries with salt or sugar? I tried to ferment strawberries with the typical salt version, and they were absolutely disgusting! 😢 What did I do wrong? Explain your method/ recipe, please.

[@loboalamo]

Thank you! Like you said a “very important video right now.” Get a foraging guide book and “learn your land”.

[@teresehummel4502]

This is SUCH a valuable video/chat, thank you! Though I'm grandma-age, I've just begun dipping my toe into herbs (medicinal and culinary and critter-resistant), both foraging and growing in WI, and I'll be checking out many of your links!

[@jenniferk9408]

If you make a tincture with cleavers, would you dry it before adding the grain alcohol or is it better to add fresh herb?

[@louannhuber2651]

This is good information for me. I’m a newbie. I have an herb book (with pictures and uses) and can take it along to look for, and forage for, the ‘common’ herbs you talk about here.

[@debarnold5019]

I make a dandelion salve for gardeners hands and dandelion jelly...not sure if that's medicinal, but it sure is yummy

[@scrapykat3028]

Check out Refuge Medical with wound care buckets, etc.

[@herbhometales8255]

Lehmans have been a go to for every thing you can’t find anywhere else or farm use!

[@LisadeKramer]

Good information about dandelions. I love seeing them popping up. This year I need to harvest them.

[@InspirationLed]

Thank you for talking about the uses of dandelions. I have been learning about them the last year or so, but I really think this herb should be my best friend going forward! I have a skin condition that I have not ever been able to resolve (I eat very “healthy” and exercise regularly and do all the topical things etc) but since about 2 years ago I have started experimenting gout and my only predisposition is that I do have rheumatoid arthritis starting (runs in my family). I’m only 38 and I find my symptoms so strange, but I do think it could very well be linked to my liver. So Thank You for this reminder! I have some purchased dandelion tea that I am going to drink today and keep trying it daily to see if this makes a difference! ❤️🌼☕️

[@kleineroteHex]

Please don't use tea bags, they have too little plant matter to be of help, or use 4 at one time for a cup.

[@LisaDeFrates-zf3rn]

We call it Coban wrap in the hospital setting

[@euphoniahale5181]

I started using essential oil mixture in water as a antibacterial rinse. Used it on my dogs and used it on a friend. Seemed to have worked.

[@shelliecummins5972]

Purple deadhead nettles for allergies.. make them into a tea

[@kleineroteHex]

I try every year, just do not like them, so in the compost they go😊

[@maidenayoung]

@@kleineroteHexadd a little dried mint or hyssop to the tea to make it more palatable!

[@Romans828girl]

I love purple dead nettle. I forage it and dry it every year to always have some on hand. Every time I get sick, no matter what the ailment is, I start drinking purple dead nettle tea. I throw a peppermint tea bag in there with it, because I don't like the taste. It shortens my illnesses by a LOT.

[@hmartin751]

Tincture it. I hate nettles to but i make a tincture with it ​@kleineroteHex

[@kblondie112468]

We just made fried dandelion last week for the first time and I thought they tasted like fried zucchini also!

[@mlee7037]

I ❤ this! Thank you. I have several of these growing in my yard. We live in a small town in central NC. You guys are amazing!

[@MorePranaGardens]

"cohesive flexible bandage" or "co-flex" (vet wrap)

[@michaelflaherty6096]

Enjoyed your explaination of the various herbs. It would be nice to show a brief visual of each herb.

[@HomesteadingFamily]

More on it here: homesteadingfamily.com/urban-foraging/

[@michaelflaherty6096]

Thanks I'll check it out

[@littleflower9425]

Hi from the Hungarian-Romanian border. The medicinal herbs where on my list this Spring. Thank you for renewed inspiration.

[@wivecaoskarsson6054]

My sister made dandelion wine, the recipe said it should sit in a cold place for one year. We tasted it arter one year, it was realy bad tasting. A year later my brother celler her and asked If she had and wine he could bortom, she gave him all the dandelion wine. The next Day he gave har aii the wine back minus one botten. He said she realy dont want to give away all botten becase it taste wonderful.

[@lindaseikkula2296]

That is hilarious

[@Cherylsminifarm]

Caroline we have been getting Jase Cases for a couple years now. Wonderful!! We now have stock incase we need it.

[@megmcginnis239]

Thank you ❤. Great video and information. I think I recognized all of them but 1. Also think I'll be drying these as I'm doing my Spring weeding... cause that's were I see them😊.

[@fourdayhomestead2839]

Jas kits are expensive, but it's necessary. We can cut out a little somewhere (budget wise) & just do it.😊

[@Sabrina1998]

Jase is awesome. I have been buying from Jase since 2021

[@geraldwerth6164]

It’s a tensor bandage, if it’s the stretchy one you’re referring to…😊

[@carolhamilton5164]

Have you figured out why the glyphosate in your system?

[@nancyplank1651]

We call the pine needle tea Christmas Tea!! Thank you for your wonderful teaching!! God Bless!!

[@ardenpeters4386]

oh gosh last Feb was soooo hard for me in Priest River!

[@lfrech4]

Great video! Thank you for guiding us and sharing your knowledge and love. ~Linda in PA

[@pamelamartin1241]

Love fried dandelion flower.

[@gylvoss4him]

How do you make these?

[@zoeshorthouse7913]

​@gylvoss4him I bread them in a mixture of flour, salt, and pepper and fry them in oil.

[@mjrewerts]

Yes delicious with a little honey 😋

[@lesliekendall5668]

Because dandelion is a diuretic, it helps lower blood pressure.

[@NessaHart]

I flipped with natto the stringy texture and smell was awful to me. Then little by little I kept eating and now I crave it. K2 !

[@ruthmcbride1778]

If you use the bright green new growth of pine it has a lemony flavor

[@thesmiths629]

I'm about to look into the sheep sorrel. I had a rash and a virus at the same time (in my 30's I assumed the rash was poison ivy that somehow got on non exposed skin) but my lymphs got terribly inflamed, and I had facial edema... then my facial nerves started hurting to the point I could barely sleep in short naps for a few weeks, with a strange headache on one side of my head. Now I have partial bell's palsy symptoms... it seems like my rash might have been shingles and this ramsay hunt condition is on the rise in young people. *If anyone reading this gets a strange rash, start antivirals quickly especially if you've ever had chicken pox or cold sores. Those are both herpes viruses, that can do nerve damage like this later in life.

[@kathleenredick275]

Eons ago I worked in a medical office. Poison oak/ivy or shingles that was near or on the genitals or face/eyes was an emergency that I could schedule for that day without needing to consult a nurse for permission to do so.

[@pamelab.4731]

Fantastic info!! Thank you ☺️ Any tips on how to wash/clean freshly foraged herbs before using them?

[@HildaHickey]

My Aunt used to make a chocolate cake with sauerkraut in it. Sure was good and you don't taste the sauerkraut.

[@deborahcaldwell9775]

Excellent Wonderful Great Wrote the list in the journal.

[@shannamiller8871]

Thank you so much for all the information!!!

[@druidgrove]

Thanks for the info, writing notes. Now curious about the other two (or more) herbs that were listed.

[@HomesteadingFamily]

Here is a list: homesteadingfamily.com/urban-foraging/

[@tinaaroha8205]

Morning from New Zealand all🙂👋❤

[@homeschoolontheCroft]

Morning from the Isle of Lewis, Scotland. About as far from you as I could be 👋 😊

[@serenakoleno9338]

Thanks for your information. I have a great book: 20,000 Secrets of Tea. Out of print but found online. I can't recommend enough. Very scientific breakdown of medicinal properties of plants, also by uses. I am so happy my comfrey plants survived my move. 😊 I would add, try to find older books, new data often errs on the side of caution because some fool took tons of an herb and got sick. Use common sense. I just looked at a newer revision of Carrots Loves Tomatoes and noticed a remedy wasn't listed in the newer book. Pretty soon nothing will be left! Great book on companion planting. 😊❤

[@tinaaroha8205]

@@serenakoleno9338, hi, I use most plants as a tea as I don't have sources to do much else with our God given herbs. I would be interested in your book.

[@BeverlyWorthington]

There are apps available that can tell you what a plant (weed) is when you are trying to forage. Identification is paramount. I laugh when people call some of my plants 'weeds'; they just don't understand. They are valuable.

[@kelliwebb2870]

It would be nice if you would show a picture of each herb.

[@HomesteadingFamily]

We have a complete list here: homesteadingfamily.com/urban-foraging/

[@scooter433]

Hello from Oklahoma USA.

[@conniekeeney1136]

Coban is one name for medical wrap that sticks to itself.

[@Sweet87671]

Beautiful work! Thank you for the info!

[@MyHeritageHome]

This is a fantastic topic and highly respect Carolyn's knowledge! The Herbal Medicine Cabinet was the very first online class I purchased ever! This is not a criticism, but I was a little disappointed that the video and topic content seemed rushed even to the point of leaving off details on two of the herbs. Just curious if there is a reason for limiting the content?

[@HomesteadingFamily]

We have more on it here: homesteadingfamily.com/urban-foraging/

[@MyHeritageHome]

@@HomesteadingFamily Thank you! 🤗

[@jojow8416]

Thank you for this GREAT video. You both covered so much here. I am curious what spices you use in your Pine needle tincture.

[@gylvoss4him]

I would like to know too!

[@kleineroteHex]

Thinking clove and cinnamon would work.

[@Romans828girl]

There's a little coffee shop near me that serves a hot tea they call In the Pines. I took a pic of the menu because it's quite tasty and the ingredients are so good for you. It has peppermint, holy basil, spearmint, juniper berries, cedar tips, myrtle, pine needles, and cardamom.

[@jojow8416]

@@Romans828girl Thank you for sharing this. I make something similar each morning but I have never used myrtle. An interesting herb that I will have to learn to grow or source somewhere.

[@cathyclark-p3w]

Thank you for sharing!

[@CatherineChhabra]

Love Lehman’s!!!!

[@maryheft8100]

We love foraging! How long have you guys been foraging?

[@HomesteadingFamily]

Yay! We’ve been foraging for about 20 years, but still learn new things every year!

[@tammywhite9229]

My son was stung 11 times. He put plantain salve on them. Soon the stings were seeping stuff, I assume bee Venum.

[@iam317537]

The wrap is called cohesive bandage

[@kathleenredick275]

Vet Wrap 😉 Even the people who draw human blood know what vet wrap is. And yes, it's called Coban.

[@sarahguerrero8427]

How do we know which is the real stinging nettle as there is one plant in my garden that look alike

[@StephanieJoRountree]

I wish you had added pix of each herb.

[@HomesteadingFamily]

We have a complete list here: homesteadingfamily.com/urban-foraging/

[@StephanieJoRountree]

@@HomesteadingFamily Thanks!

[@Romans828girl]

I paused the video, opened another tab, and googled the image of anything I didn't already know.

[@permieforlife]

Coban - sticky wrap

[@lindaedwards9756]

We used it in our family practice office after blood draws etc . Probably more hypoallergenic than bandages and tape .

[@julierussell4316]

Oh my you disappeared off my radar, today I find you again! Re-subbed and happy to see you both

[@dorothyczygmunt5232]

Many thanks for all this info where can I how you process Chickweed other than eating it. Can you use it in a tincture or salve? Appreciate your input. God bless happy gardening 🌻🌷🌼🌾🌱

[@utopicconfections5257]

You can make a salve with it.

[@susiefowler4398]

You can also dry for a tea!🍵

[@Sue-ec6un]

With all of the medicinal plants you can tincture it, or dry it or use it fresh. Some plants need the alcohol to extract the medicine, but many can be extracted in a tea, teas are only good for about 3 days. A good resource is The homegrown herbalist here on youtubechan.

[@barbseivert6745]

Would be nice if you could show an example of each herb & what they look like- ❤ or show a photo

[@HomesteadingFamily]

More on it here: homesteadingfamily.com/urban-foraging/

[@cyndisgreenoasis6571]

First of all I love your channel with that being said the nurse in me feels totally against the promotion of prescription antibiotics without the advice of a doctor and knowing the correct dosage for children and knowing the right ATB for each bug!! But again I love you guys!

[@opalezell2166]

I sure the dandelions are gone in Ms.I ordered seeds to plant.

[@louiseswart1315]

Can I substitute red clover leaves for alfalfa? How do I prepare pine needles to make a tea? Do I chop it up for it to release its properties?

[@1234EWig]

sesame oil mixed w/ dandelion latex works too

[@gailjohnson2106]

They are a good idea to have them. I just hope people understand when to take an antibiotic. I not for a cold. Just to understand what you have virus or viral

[@bodannabulldogs4967]

Do u freeze dry them to store for winter use? Or grind some after freeze drying to add to foods as a powder for flavor?

[@englishmaninco8711]

At one of our local Chinese grocery stores they have lots of traditional Chinese medicine and one of those medicines (in addition to the TCM ) was amoxicillin. It didn’t sound like in China you need a Dr to issue it. Anyway just FYI everyone

[@danielleosentoski520]

What do you recommend for identification? I cannot find a good person to follow into the field. Would love to see you do this!

[@stephencameron1709]

Very helpful, thank you! Val C

[@BigSkyLandDevelopments]

Guys, how about reference photos for what you are discussing. Thank you for your trime and effort.

[@HomesteadingFamily]

We have them listed here: homesteadingfamily.com/urban-foraging/

[@The_Simpson_Clan]

Great Info ! ❤

[@seamonkeyrevival]

thanks guys. shared.

[@RoseFelton]

A great video, but none of the herbs you mentioned grow around me in SE Arizona, not even dandelion or mullein.

[@jennifercook-qd3mz]

Which type of clover is referenced, I could not find where it's indicated? Thanks!!

[@tammypaulllpp4267]

I've been following your channel for some time and my husband would like to know if your husband has a channel if he does please let us know so we can follow him as well ❤