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Fresh food is great, organic food is amazing, and local-fresh-organic food is about as
wonderful as it gets. That is, until we step back into the wild. Outside of every gourmet health food store (literally) grows wild food that has more healing properties than what lies within the brick walls.
These foods never run out; nature’s shelves are fully stocked. The best part is, you don’t have to wait for sales.
1. Pine Needles
Yes, I am referring to Christmas trees. Leave it to humans to use medicinal plants solely for décor. However, the needles on “wild Christmas trees” — or pine trees — contain 300 times more vitamin C than oranges, MSM, and sulfur. Use them like you would rosemary or boil in water for a powerful tea that can whip a respiratory infection.
2. Pine Pollen
Also found on the common pine tree, pine pollen needs some preparation time, as it’s only available for a short duration of time during the very beginning of spring. Pine pollen is renowned as a powerful androgen and beauty tonic for skin, and it’s a nutritional powerhouse. It contains a wide range of vitamins and minerals such as vitamins A, beta carotene, vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, folic acid, vitamin D and vitamin E. It also has tons of important minerals such as copper, calcium, iron, manganese, magnesium, molybdenum, phosphorous, potassium, selenium, silica, sodium and zinc! Not to mention, it is a rich source of amino acids.
3. Dandelion
You know that little yellow flower in everyone’s lawn that people spend tons of money on getting rid of because it’s an ugly weed? It’s probably the healthiest food you’ve never eaten. It’s nature’s gift to us. How funny that we complain about money problems and health problems but spend our money getting rid of the things that’d give us perfect health? Mind-blowing moment every time I talk about this. Anyway, this weed is actually a powerful liver tonic, digestive aid, beauty food, and antioxidant. It can be used to cleanse the blood, urinary tract, lymphatic system and improve circulation. Dandelions also regulate intestinal flora. The polyphenols in the leaves are a prebiotic. You can eat all parts of this plant. The flower is a powerful source of lecithin, the roots are a diuretic and the leaves stimulate the vagus nerve to produce bile.
4. Nettles
Want gorgeous hair and skin? Eat your nettle; they are one of the highest sources of silicon, which is needed to produce collagen and hair. However, before you go grabbing handfuls, be careful while picking because they have little stingers! If you’re in America, these can be found just about everywhere wild vegetation is growing during the spring. The medicinal properties of nettle are very similar to dandelion. This is a very powerful non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and works especially well to reduce prostate inflammation and nourish the prostate. Nettle is a great kidney tonic; it lowers blood sugar and increases insulin sensitivity as it’s a rich source of chromium. It’s even been known to dissolve kidney stones! Adrenal problems? Grab some nettle. It’s even high in plant protein, so if you were lost in the wild and needed to, you could survive off the stuff.
5. Plantain
Another common weed that grows right next to dandelions in most people’s lawns, this plantain is not the banana-looking plantain you may be thinking of. I am referring to the small common weed. This is commonly used as a natural pain reliever, as it’s rich in tannins and used in many salves. If you have a toothache or sore you can chew these leaves up and pack it around the affected area. It’s also known as a body purifier, great for cleansing toxic congestion in all areas of the body.
6. Mulberries (Wild Berries)
Not all wild foods are green weeds; a lot of them are actually delicious! Mulberries are just one of the hundreds of wild berries that grow for free in nature still. Where I live, I know of at least 20 mulberry trees that produce more berries than I know how to appropriately eat. Not too far away I can find wild raspberries, June berries, blackberries, and even cherries! They are of course a bit smaller and less sweet than the ones in stores, but if you have a natural palate they are divinely delicious! Not only are they free, but they are also medicinal. Mulberries can be eaten and work wonders on the digestive system. All other parts of the bush can be consumed too; the leaves and stems have healing properties, as well. If you pick these this spring you’ll notice they stain your hands (and clothes, so don’t dress up!) This is because they are rich in anthocyanin, which a powerful antioxidant. Mulberries contain zeaxanthin, an important dietary carotenoid thought to protect the retina from harmful ultraviolet rays and improve eye health.
7. Aloe Vera
This miracle plant heals itself when you cut it — if that doesn’t say enough, then allow me to impress you more. You can live off aloe vera, if it’s in your area, as it only grows in more desert-like climates. It has all kinds of amino acids, minerals, enzymes, antibiotics and more. Put it on your skin and it soaks right into your bloodstream. The rich amount of silicon and sulfur in aloe helps to build strong artery cell walls, mucous membranes, connective tissues, and even helps with varicose veins and hemorrhoids. Aloe is perhaps one of the best digestive aids and therefore is also a beauty aid.
8. Citrus
Like aloe and other cactuses, wild citrus fruits are going to be found in warmer climates like Florida, Italy and California. If you live in these areas its not uncommon to find various wild citrus trees. Everything from lemons, grapefruits, oranges, mandarins and kumquats grow in these regions. Citrus fruits are an underrated medicine. They cleanse the liver, kidneys and blood. They are incredible sources of vitamin C and break down fat in the liver. The liver is the center of our physical health. When the liver is weak, our entire body is weak. The benefits citrus has on the liver alone make it worth consuming daily. Not to mention, citrus is delicious and hydrating!
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