• scarlet elf cups and ruby elf cup fungi in a bowl at the school of wild medicine
    fungi

    Scarlet elf cup mushroom / Ruby elf cup mushroom: How to Forage, Recipes & Medicinal Uses

    June 28, 2025 - By 

    Can you tell apart the scarlet elf cup mushroom and the ruby elf cup mushroom? These are two strikingly similar fungi that often leave even experienced foragers wondering how to separate them. Elf cup fungi have a fascinating story to tell—from their unique ways of spreading spores to their surprising uses in traditional medicine and cooking. Stick around, and by the end of this post, you’ll know exactly how to identify each species, lookalikes, where to find them, and how to enjoy them safely in your own kitchen. Scarlet elf cup / ruby elf cup scientific name Sarcoscypha austriaca (Scarlet…

  • Dryads saddle edible mushroom held by forager
    fungi

    Dryad’s saddle recipes/Pheasant back mushroom recipes: How to forage

    June 21, 2025 - By 

    Looking for dryad's saddle recipes & pheasant back mushroom recipes? Learn how to ID dryad's saddle, and all the foraging tips and preparation tricks you need to know to turn this bracket mushroom into something truly tasty. We'll cover pheasant back mushroom recipes like dryad's saddle mushroom jerky, caramelised dryad's saddle, grilled dryad's saddle, umami mushroom seasoning and much more. So pack your foraging bag and your mushroom knife, and get ready to surprise your loved ones with some delicious pheasant back mushroom treats!

  • woman handpicking rosemary plant for rosemary herbal properties
    Plants

    Rosemary Herbal Properties: for Skin, Hair, and Mind

    June 17, 2025 - By 

    I’m excited to share with you the amazing world of rosemary herbal properties. We're all familiar with rosemary as a popular culinary herb. Rosemary is also famous for its scientifically proven healing properties - from boosting memory to encouraging hair growth. Let’s explore everything you need to know about rosemary — from how to grow healthy rosemary plants, to using rosemary oil to remember everything you read today! Let me know in the comments if you want to share something you love about rosemary 💚

  • little girl holding sea buckthorn plant with sea buckthorn berries
    foraging

    🧡Sea Buckthorn Medicinal Uses: A Complete Beginner’s Guide🧡

    June 15, 2025 - By 

    Ready to discover lots of exciting sea buckthorn medicinal uses? Join me as we explore together the science behind sea buckthorn benefits. We’ll learn how to use sea buckthorn at home, and tips for growing sea buckthorn or foraging sea buckthorn safely. Pop some gloves on, and let’s dive in! ❤️Welcome, dear reader! Yes you, on the other side of the screen! Would you like to become a herbalist? The person your family and friends turn to when things go wrong? To create your own remedies for toothache, headaches and more, join the 30-Day Family Herbalist online course today. Lifetime…

  • elderberry syrup in spoon held by hand
    foraging recipes

    💜21 Elderberry Recipes: Sweet, Savoury, and Simple 💜

    April 28, 2025 - By 

    Looking for the best elderberry recipes to try? You’re in for a treat! From soothing syrups to zesty jams, elderberries can be transformed into something delicious. In this post, you’ll find 21 elderberry recipes that are fun, easy, and perfect for all ages. Most of the recipes take less than 45 minutes of prep time. Quick Tips Before You Start: Always cook elderberries before eating – raw elderberries can upset your tummy. Cooking makes them safe and super tasty. Always be 1000% sure of your ID when foraging wild food! Read my elderberry medicinal uses post for ID information. Let’s…

  • hands holding edible wild mushrooms, chanterelles
    foraging - fungi

    Wild Edible Mushrooms: 15 Hidden Treasures To Forage And Feast On

    April 22, 2025 - By 

    Ever wondered which wild edible mushrooms are safe to eat and how to spot them? This is a list with pictures of 15 beginner-friendly wild mushrooms that you can forage in the UK. Whether you’re interested in frying, roasting, or adding mushrooms to soups and stews, this guide will help you recognise and safely forage the best wild mushrooms in the UK. Foraging Safety: The Essential Guidelines Before we dive into the list, let’s cover some key safety tips when foraging for wild mushrooms: Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s jump into our list of 15 edible mushrooms that…

  • girl eating soup
    foraging

    Herbalism Recipes: 7 Easy, Hearty Meals for Your Best Life

    April 15, 2025 - By 

    Herbalism recipes: Easy foraged meals for beginners This post features 7 simple, family-friendly herbalism recipes, each with a key foraged herb. With each dish, we learn how these wild plants support long-term health. Embrace the “food is medicine” philosophy with these wild, seasonal delights. And don’t worry, each foraged ingredient is super easy to ID 😊 Ready to explore? 1. Wild Garlic Pesto Wild garlic (Allium ursinum) is a favourite springtime food found carpeting damp woodlands. Its broad green leaves and starry white flowers are easy to spot – and its garlicky scent is unmistakable. Check this post about wild…

  • Cover of The Forager's Calendar by John Wright, featuring vibrant illustrations of seasonal wild plants, mushrooms, and berries surrounding the title
    Books

    Book Review: John Wright’s The Forager’s Calendar

    March 17, 2025 - By 

    The Forager’s Calendar by John Wright review As a family herbalist passionate about wildcrafting and foraging, I often find myself dipping into my copy of The Forager’s Calendar by John Wright. This beautifully written guide is not just a popular, award-winning foraging book – it’s a year-round companion for anyone eager to connect with nature through seasonal wild foods. A month-by-month companion, year after year Mr Wright’s approach is incredibly practical, offering detailed descriptions of plants, mushrooms, and other edibles you can find month by month. What I particularly love is the way he balances descriptive accuracy with personal anecdotes,…