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Don't eat that!!!
I love taking photos of wildflowers and interesting bushes or trees when I am fishing. When I do presentations at schools, I love dropping a quick "What they have been used for in the past" description. The next statement is what I typically say to them: "Don't put anything wild in your mouth unless you are 100 percent sure it is ok to." I beat it in to the young folks heads that many of the old remedies and so called cures from these will flowers or berries have been debunked and DON'T EAT THAT!!!
Below are some of the pictures I have taken of plants that at one time had medicinal qualities attached to them.
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Bells Wort is not very common in Southwestern Wisconsin. I have only run in to a couple times in my vast wanderings. A wort that is more common is St. John's and has proven medicinal qualities.
In the past Bells Wort has been made into a tea that was used in the treatment of sore throats, inflamed gums, coughs and scads other ailments. The taste was pungent and unappealing. There is no evidence that Bells Wort has any effect on any maladies. The power of suggestion resulted in some improvement or maybe a placebo effect. When in doubt, don't eat it!!!
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Prickly Ash has an oil extracted from the bark and berries that was used in the past to cure rheumatism and typhoid and impurities of the blood. The stems and fruits were chewed by the Native Americans in the past to alleviate toothaches because of the numbing effect. Many cures have been debunked and have been shown to have secondary negative effects that outweighed the initial medical qualities.
I am going to sound like a broken record here but "Don't Eat That!!"
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Wild bergamot was used by many Native Americans in a tea to treat colds and flu. The flower was used in a poultice for skin infections and as an antiseptic for minor wounds. A tea made from the plant was also used to treat mouth and throat infections caused by dental problems. This plant was used for a variety of purposes that varied from stopping farting to clearing up acne. I bet the Snake Oil Salesmen of the old days made some serious jingle on this cure all.
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The leaves of the Columbine were used in potions for sore mouths and throats. The seeds taken in wine with a little saffron purports to removes obstructions of the liver and is good for the yellow jaundice. I believe a doctor or surgeon should be consulted about liver problems. Don't ingest these things.
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In mythology, bluebells are used by fairies to trap passersby, especially young children. They symbolize death in Britain and are often planted on graves there. The bluebell is a poisonous plant. This one I bet has been tried and it failed miserably as a medicine or folk remedy. The key word that should alert you is "POISON."
These flowers and berries may be pretty and have some historical medical values but I for one am not willing to be a Guinea Pig. Modern medical science has the FDA to vet medicines and cures for our medical problems. "DON'T EAT THAT!!"
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Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!! I cannot for the life of me, imagine putting any of those beautiful flowers into my mouth! Even before your warnings!! Much prefer just looking at them! Thank you!
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Bergamot. Also known as monad and bee balm. Great native prairie plant, Hummingbirds and butterflies relish it. Have mucho growing in my yard. After the Boston tea party,when all the tea was thrown overboard, colonists used bergamot as a substitute for the tea. In fact it makes great tea. So if you are tired and getting skunked on a stream just grab some leaves and whala you will be a happy camper. Especially if you don't listen to the Wisconsin and Packer football games, then you might want to switch to Jaegermeister.
