WILDCRAFTING GUIDELINES

DANDELION - Vulgarly called Piss-a-bed

What virtues this common herb hath, and that is the reason the French and Dutch so often eat them in the spring: and now, if you look a little further, you may see plainly, without a pair of spectacles, that foreign physicians are not so selfish as ours are, but more communicative of the virtues of plants to people.

- Nicholas Culpeper, 'The English Physician Enlarged'

The term wildcrafting denotes a high degree of ecological awareness and a deep respect for the living Earth that sustains all life forms. Our duty as custodians is to ensure that the same plants and habitats will be enjoyed by future generations.

 Before gathering any wild plant, check that it is not threatened, endangered or protected. If in doubt, contact the statutory plant conservation agency in your locality/country – the address and phone number should be available from a public library or the Tourist Information service.

 Be careful not to trespass when picking plants and never take material from a nature reserve or protected site.

 Gather modest quantities (no more than you need) and only from places where the plant is growing in abundance. A stand of plants must never be harvested in its entirety.

 In Britain and many other countries it is illegal to uproot any wild plant without permission from the landowner, irrespective of whether it is a protected species. Once permission has been granted to dig up a common plant, do so in moderation and do not leave holes in the ground. These should be filled and levelled with the disturbed soil from where the plants were uprooted.

 Never gather plants that have been exposed to traffic fumes, factory emissions, agricultural chemicals, or any other form of pollution.

 Never introduce an alien species into the wild. There are many cases of alien plants that have naturalised in a locality, but due to their rampant growth have stifled native species.

 Collecting wild flower/herb seed for private gardening must also be done sparingly and only common species should be gathered. Always leave behind plenty of seed for the birds and for the plant to self-seed.

 Always tidy up after harvesting to ensure the area appears undisturbed by your activities.

 Wildcrafting is also about mindfulness, about never taking anything for granted and remembering always to give thanks.

Tender-handed stroke the nettle,
And it stings you for your pains;
Grasp it like a man of mettle,
And soft as silk remains.
- Aeron Hill (1685-1750)

(c) Chrissie Wildwood 2004, all rights reserved