HERBAL JOURNEY: Plant Walk & Foraging (West Bragg Creek)
Details
Welcome to my HERBAL JOURNEY event series. I am a local herbalist in Calgary, trained by various local herbalists and enhanced by loads and loads of research. I seek to learn constantly and add to my breadth of knowledge. I am excited to share my knowledge with others.
This HERBAL JOURNEY event will have us spending 2-3 hours in the forest, learning about late summer plants and we will actually be harvesting here (crownland allows free foraging).
THIS EVENT IS WEATHER DEPENDANT
In this location, I expect to find the following for foraging:
- Spruce and pine needles (vit C, great addition to cold and flu decoction)
- Red clover (hormonal support, lymphatic tonic)
- Strawberry leaves (mineral rich, vit C)
- Yarrow (heal all, complementary to all medicines, wound healing, stops bleeding)
--> Flowers are richer in volatile aromatic oils suited for fevers and allergies, while leaves contain higher amounts of astringent tannins ideal for stopping bleeding and healing wounds - Plantain weed (all in one first aid, flower pod for fiber)
- Goldenrod (allergies, sinus infection, UTI)
- Fireweed (soothing, anti-inflammatory)
Considerations:
Often, we go off the path. To reduce tick issues, wear long pants tucked into socks. Bring a hat, and a basket or bag containing supplies:
- water and snacks
- bug spray and sunscreen
- smaller paper bags to hold individual herb collections
- sharpie to label your bags
- small notebook and pen to record why you harvested, how to prepare going forward, etc.
Route plan - Telephone and Hostel Loop, Alberta, Canada - 132 Reviews, Map | AllTrails (3.4km easy walk, minimal elevation change, sturdy shoes recommended)
Location is roughly 50-minute drive from Calgary downtown. Recommended donation $5-10 to deposit4myspot@gmail.com with code 'thanks'.
And don't forget to have your Kananaskis Parks Pass!