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ARTICLES The Roots of Herbalism: Collecting Herbs in the Fall As summer gradually gives way to fall, it's sad to see our plant friends turn from green to yellow to brown as one by one they succumb to their annual winter sleep. At this time, nature gives us one more dazzling display with late-flowering goldenrods and asters sharing field and forest with their colorful tree cousins. The golden-yellow flowers of our many local species of goldenrod are reminiscent of the color of the late afternoon sun. When viewed against a background of golds, oranges and reds, we can see that the year is winding down with the same colors as a warm summer day. It is a reminder that nature is a complex arrangement of cycles within cycles. For those of us who wish to partake of the tremendous variety of local medicinal plants, the opportunity will continue until the earth is finally covered with snow. With the exception of our evergreens and a few late-flowering species such as the goldenrods (Solidago spp.*) and asters (Aster spp.), it is the root herbs that are most important at this time of year. This is because the life-force of a plant is completely withdrawn into its roots once the aerial parts (leaves and flowers, stalks in non-woody species) have died back. This can occur as early as July for some species such as yellow dock (Rumex crispus), but the majority of herbs that grow in our area die back in September and October. Learning how to harvest medicinal roots and rhizomes poses one major challenge: how do we identify a herb when the aerial portions of the plant are no longer present? This depends on the species. Some herbs such as yellow dock, elecampane (Inula helenium) and spotted Joe-Pye (Eupatorium maculatum) leave behind a tough stalk that indicates their presence. Many plants, however, leave no tell-tale stalk. Herbs such as dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), first-year burdock (Arctium spp.) and wild ginger (Asarum canadense) must therefore be dug up before their leaves have completely died back. In these cases, the best time to pick their roots are when the leaves are turning yellow and brown but can still be recognized. It is important to identify root herbs earlier in the season when they are more visible and easier to recognize. Then you will already be familiar with where they grow. It is also very important that you have correctly identified the plants you harvest. There are many species of medicinal herbs that have poisonous look-alikes. Some of these plants can be deadly. After you have picked the roots and rhizomes that you require, they must be washed thoroughly. Some kind of scrub brush is in order here. For herbs with particularly twisted roots it will be necessary to cut them into smaller sections for them to be adequately cleaned. Do not use hot water as this may alter or remove some of the plants chemical constituents. Once cleaned, rinse them with clean (spring, filtered or distilled) water and lay them out one layer deep until their surface is dry. Now you must decide how you want to preserve and store them. The two easiest options are drying and tincturing. Most good herb books will explain how this is done. My preference is usually to tincture whatever part of the herb I am using when it is still fresh. Although, once washed, fresh roots can be stored in the refrigerator for a couple of days before being used to make a tincture, it is best to make your tincture from roots within four to six hours of harvesting. It is important to keep in mind that harvesting roots usually necessitates killing the plant. Wild roots must therefore be picked in an ecologically sound manner. Never take more than you will need over a one year period. This amount is probably less than what you would expect. Some herbs, like elecampane, have a number of large taproots. One such taproot can easily provide you with a years supply of tincture. Carefully dig along one side of the plant and remove a single root. In this way the plant will not have to be killed. Sometimes it may be necessary to use more of the root. For many perennial herbs you can dig them up and remove all of the roots from about four inches below the crown of the root and replant the crown. If done carefully the plant will survive. Make sure that the crown is a bit below the surface so that is it better protected from frost. I have found that this works best if you leave one root attached to the crown. A rhizome is a horizontal root-like part of some plants that usually grows just below the surface of the soil. In woodland areas, where their are plenty of insulating leaves covering the earth in the winter time, some plants may grow from rhizomes that grow along the surface of the ground. Earlier in the year, you will find a number of "plants" growing along the rhizome at various intervals, depending on the species. Since a rhizome is not a root, but rather an underground stem, these are not actually separate plants. They are the leafy stalks of a single plant. When harvesting a rhizome, you can therefore dig up sections without having to kill the plant. It is very important to only harvest species that are common in your area. Some species such as the various ladies slippers (Cypripedium spp.) are rare and very sensitive to disturbance. They are easily wiped out. Other well-known medicinal herbs such as Canadian ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) and goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) have been virtually eliminated in the wild throughout most of their range. Both of these plants were once common in Ontario. Ginseng is now considered endangered and goldenseal extinct in this province. There are, nevertheless, many useful species of root herbs that are common in our area. Some of these include: blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides), chicory (Cichorium intybus), common burdock (Arctium minus), common mallow (Malva neglecta), dandelion, elecampane, queen Ann's lace (Daucus carota), spotted Joe-Pye, sulfur cinquefoil (Potentilla recta), wild ginger and yellow dock. By interacting with wild herbs, you can learn a lot about their growing requirements. Their seeds can be harvested or individual plants selectively transplanted. Then you can grow them yourself. This will further reduce the impact of wild harvesting on our wild herb populations. Seeds and seedlings of both native and non-native species can also be obtained from a number of sources that specialize in medicinal plants, such as Richters Herbs in Goodwood. Wild harvesting medicinal herbs is a means by which we can experience greater harmony and healing in our lives. Not only can we use the herbs that we pick, but it also provides us with a chance to get out and connect with nature. This opportunity continues long after the last flowers of fall have retired for their winter sleep - as long as you don't mind getting your hands dirty. This article was originally published in Common Ground Magazine, September 1996. Back to List of Articles |
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