Fiddlehead Ferns Offer Music For Your Tastebuds With

It’s spring in the moist woodlands of North America when fiddlehead ferns begin to unleash their soft green tongues like a frog set to strike at an insect.  These greens are one of the most tender and juicy wild harvest foods, available worldwide. 

Fiddleheads in North America commonly are associated with the wet east coast or west coast rainforests, yet varieties can be found in abundance across the continent.  Simply put, the fiddlehead fern is not really a type of fern of its own, but a general description of the new growth shoots for all of the fern family. 

Like morels and other short-season spring delicacies, fiddleheads are available for brief days each year. They appear through the soft leaf beds of wet woodlands and shady waterway edges as soon as the ground begins to warm, quickly unfurl their fronds and rush toward full growth in a week or so.  Unlike morels, they do not hide from sight, but form the lush carpets and undergrowths of many forests and thickets.

Two varieties of ferns – Bracken and American Royal – grow across North America, with the Ostrich fern found mostly on the east coast. Harvest them by clipping the uncurled sprouts.  These wild plants are havens for small insects, dust and pollutants, and should be washed thoroughly before eating.  While many instances of mild illness have been reported (mostly due to improper washing or cooking), there are very few reports of allergic or toxic reactions.

Because fiddleheads are neither a soft leafy vegetable or crisp root-like consistency, they are suitable for a variety of cooking styles and recipes.  Simply sautee the greens in butter and a dusting of garlic, pepper, basil for a delightful side dish.  Alternatively, boil the greens and serve with a little thyme. Top angel hair pasta with steamed fiddleheads spiced with paprika, thyme, cayenne and onion powder.  Dash olive oil over dish and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.  Fiddleheads can be a feature ingredient for a number of salads, used as a soup ingredient, served with a lightly-cooked root crop mix, breaded in oat bran, flax flour and corn meal prior to deep frying, or even pickled in brine after blanching.

One of the most exhilarating wild harvest meals that I have enjoyed in early spring began with a salad of fiddlehead, dandelion and strawberry leaf, doused with raspberry vinaigrette.  The main course included boiled and buttered cattail root (potato-like consistency), fried dandelion roots, boiled fiddlehead greens, morels served with hamburgers blended with ground common plantain seed (harvested the prior year and dried) and freshly harvested horseradish root, grated and mixed with vinegar.

Spring is a season of opportunity for the lover of wild foods, and the opening act of that season is fiddlehead greens!

Herbal Remedies For Insomnia

Winter – a season when darkness usurps daylight, and, theoretically at least, people are able to enjoy more hours of sleep uninterrupted by light.  Yet, numerous experts point to the early winter season as the time of year when the most cases of insomnia occur.  The question, then is what can we do to reduce the frequency of sleepless nights.  In particular, what herbs and natural remedies are effective at treating this energy-sapping sleep problem?

While researching solutions for insomnia, I made the mistake of typing “when do most people experience insomnia” into my Google search bar.  I had the misfortune (and the brief pleasure) of reading one forum contributor’s response: when we can’t sleep.  However, there is a wealth of legitimate, valuable input to offset this tongue-in-cheek comment.

Of particular interest are the discussions on physiological causes of insomnia, from melatonin deficiencies (often  associated with aging) to hormonal imbalance (tied frequently to menopause)  These lead into data on herbal remedies – solutions that are available to us free of charge, if we have the energy to venture into the gardens and wilds to harvest specific plants.

Of course, one of the most commonly cited treatments for insomnia is German chamomile tea.  This beverage has been used for centuries, and is part of the Ukrainian heritage, brought to North America in the late 1800s and early 1900s.  This herb is cultivated domestically and grows very well in the wild.  There a re a few varieties of chamomile, but the most effective appears to be the German chamomile.

While most commonly used as a cough and cold treatment, linden also encourages sleep.  Dried flowers and leaves, made into a tincture or infusion are the usual form of use, while the inner layers of bark can be harvested even in winter and made into a tincture or infusion, as well.

Onion is one of the universally recognized super plants, offering myriad health benefits.  However, boiled onion (drink the liquid, as well, you wimp!) serves as a sleep aid.  I have found that onions, eaten in larger quantities before bedtime seem to induce a lot of dreams.  Good for those with pleasant ones, lousy for those with nightmares!

Lemon balm is cited as a good sleep aide.  However, its most frequent use is as an insect repellent.  Lemon balm, like lemon sorrel and mints, decreases thirst.

Although offering only a mild sedative benefit, raspberry tea is an excellent pre-bedtime drink, and, when combined with wild strawberry leaves, is a very pleasant sipping tea.

Sage is another great plant.  This herb is a great culinary spice with nutritional benefits, but offers a variety of health benefits, from cancer treatment to digestive assistance, from treatment for depression & anxiety to cold treatment and inflammations.  Best known for its use with poultry, it can be taken, if you can endure the sharp taste, as a tea.

For centuries, lavender has been a part of romantic lore, and has a reputation for inducing pleasant dreams.  This, of course, goes hand in hand with better sleep.  Lavender air sprays, lavender sachets under one’s pillow, lavender soaps and skin creams or lavender plants growing in the bedroom window all offer assistance for the sleep-deprived.

My wife uses rosehips to treat a kidney condition.  Along with this wonderful benefit, the rose seed pods also are excellent for the heart, provide a source of vitamin C, show results in cancer treatment tests and, again, provide sleep-inducing qualities.  Rosehips can be used in soups and stews, with wild game, in bannock, or consumed as a tea with a bit of ginger.

Passionflower, native to the southeast of North America, is recognized for its relief of insomnia.

Lastly, elecampane has been found to be effective at treating both irritability and insomnia.  While not a known native of the Americas, elecampane, like dandelion, hawthorn and a host of other plants, herbs and bushes, has taken hold in most parts of North America, likely introduced here by European settlers.

The list of herbs and other plants that have been employed to treat lack of sleep attests to both the prevalence of insomnia and the effectiveness of herbal remedies, as opposed to chemical preparations.  The added benefits of herbs are that they generally have fewer side effects, and, when harvested in the wild, cost nothing!

Arnica a Multi-purpose Wild and Domestic Herb

Arnica is a hardy herb that grows well in cold and hardy zones such as zones 2/3. While it prefers a slightly acidic soil, it will grow in a Ph 6.0-8.5 without difficulty. Arnica likes full sun, moderate richness and well-drained conditions, yet likes lots of moisture.. While it has been found growing wild in North America, it is native to Siberia. It is commonly found in the Pacific Northwest mountain regions, but grows as a cultivated plant as far east as Michigan and Ontario. Its mountainous habit explains its preference for frequent watering.
Arnica has been used for medicinal purposes since the 1500s and remains popular today. The plant is used to treat sore muscles, bruises, sprains, wounds, rheumatic pain, insect bite inflammation and swelling associated with broken bones. It may have serious side effects when taken internally, and should be used topically. It is applied as a salve, cream, tincture, compress, liniment or oil. It is tonic & stimulating. The flowers are the primary source for medicinal treatments, and should be dried and stored away from potential insect attacks.
Rheumatism most commonly is treated with conventional medicine. However, rheumatism has been successfully treated, if not remedied, for centuries, with a variety of herbal remedies. Some of the herbs used are: oats, oregano, birch, marjoram, horseradish, elder, coriander, cow parsnip, cowslip, celery, chamomile, chickweed, angelica and arnica.
Flatulence may be a symptom of an underlying ailment. Most often, however, it is simply a gassy problem that can be treated with the following herbs: valerian, oregano, pennyroyal, marshmallow, hyssop, juniper, lavender, dill, fenugreek, cumin, celery, bee balm, caraway, alfalfa, angelica, arnica and basil.
Although arnica is toxic in large quantities, a weak tea is excellent for treating flatulence.
A variety of herbs and other foods that repair & build muscles, improve the circulatory flow and relieve pain includes nettle, Oregon grape, skullcap, rosemary, chamomile, wintergreen, black cohosh, mint, lavender, cayenne, lobelia, white willow, mustard, apple cider, clove oil, garlic oil, sesame oil, thyme, lavender, cabbage, horsetail, hawthorn, arnica and plantain.
Arnica is one of the best pain relievers for sore muscles as well as sprains. Make a salve or liniment using 1-2 tsp arnica (See Herb Preparation chapter). Apply to affected area every few hours.
Bruises are always treated topically, either by washes, oils & ointments or compresses & poultices. Some of the herbs used for treatment are portulaca, slippery elm, common plantain, self heal, onion, calendula, chamomile, nettle, rosemary, mullein, horsetail, lavender, garlic, hops, elder, cow parsnip, cattail, arnica and aloe.
Arnica is highly valued as a treatment for bruises and strains. Prepare an oil infusion using 2 tablespoons of crushed arnica root for ½ cup of oil. Apply topically as a massage, or make a warm compress and apply to the affected area. Arnica in large quantities is toxic, and, although sometimes taken internally, may cause stomach irritation.
The main objectives in treating cuts are to prevent infection and stop bleeding. Two herbs that are ideally suited to these tasks are garlic and turmeric. The staining capacity of turmeric and the repelling odor of garlic may be off-putting, but the styptic effect of turmeric and the anti-infection properties of garlic are incredible treatments for cuts.
A multitude of other herbs work well on cuts and wounds, to heal, reduce bleeding, relieve pain and prevent infection. They are: yarrow, white willow, portulaca, sage, self heal, slippery elm, oak, onion, marigold, mullein, horehound, horsetail, hyssop, juniper, lavender, goldenrod, goldenseal, Echinacea, elecampane, feverfew, cow parsnip, cattail, chamomile, chickweed, apple and arnica.
Crush arnica, mullein seed and goldenrod leaves into athick paste, using rubbing alcohol or warm water. Apply as a poultice on the wound and tape whole plantain leaves on top to hold in place.
Calendula, mint and lemon balm are natural insect repellents with healing properties. Other repellents include lavender, garlic, black cohosh, pennyroyal, sorrel, catnip and chamomile. Regardless, however, of how much repellent you use, you will be stung or bitten throughout the summer. A quick, natural repellent is handy to have available. However, it is not always possible to avoid bites or stings. The following herbs deal with the pain, itching hand swelling associated with insect bites: white willow, onion, oregano, parsley, calendula (marigold), hyssop, goldenrod, evening primrose, cattail, chickweed and arnica.
Catnip, lemon balm & arnica, combined and made into a tincture can be sprayed or rubbed over the skin to provide relief from biting insects, and to take the sting out of those bites that already are there.