Welcome to the third edition of Wild Food News And Links!  The first two editions seemed to be appreciated by the readers, so here’s another one for all your learning pleasures.  It’s my intention to share recent, relevant, and riveting news from around the web pertaining to the wild food lifestyle.  If you discover news that may benefit the readers of Wild Foodism, please let me know so that it can be considered for a future edition.

News

It’s no secret that wild American ginseng populations have been declining.  One plant scientist, with the help of landowners, is working diligently to reverse this trend.

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) has traditionally been used to treat liver disease and poisoning.  Exciting new research reveals that milk thistle may also be effective in treating brain tumors associated with Cushing’s syndrome.

When it comes to food, health, medicine, and economics, several communities in the Balkans turn to wild plants.

Prehistoric psychedelics:  New research shows that dinosaurs had access to ergot, a fungus that contains precursors for LSD.

If you’ve been following the mystery saga regarding the death of Chris McCandless (Into The Wild fame), you’ll know that it never ends.  Jon Krakauer, the author the book, has reached yet another conclusion regarding the potentially toxic fraction of Hedysarum alpinum – the plant associated with McCandless’ death.

Handy Resource

Native plants and birds go hand in hand.  The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has provided a great list of 5 berry-producing shrubs/trees to plant in order to attract our winged friends.  Note:  select your region on the left side of the screen.

Blogs

I was happy to contribute to this month’s edition of the Wild Edible Notebook, a highly informative monthly publication put out by my friend, Erica… aka Wild Food Girl.  In it, I discuss 5 wild species that offer protection against the flu.  Also included is an article explaining how to create delicious wild food pies.  There’s even a thought-provoking commentary regarding wild ginseng and chaga sustainability written by Erica, and lots more!

Sure, there’s a lot of snow on the ground right now, and it’s mighty cold outside.  Just as day always follows night, spring will surely follow winter, which means grape leaves will be sprouting from their vines in no time.  Check out this great article over at Botanical Arts Press (aka Foraging & Feasting), which offers numerous tips on when to harvest, how to harvest, and how to stuff grape leaves.

It might be winter here in Pennsylvania, though it’s summer in Australia.  The Forager’s Year, an Australian wild food blog, has a great recipe for Purslane Saag using a variety of spices and wild greens.

For Fun

Check out these breathtaking photographs of frozen lakes, oceans, and ponds.  The title states that they look like art, though I would suggest that they are art.

That’s it for this edition!  Thanks for reading!

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Thank you!
Adam Haritan