Light Cellar
The Foraging Forecast: Be in the Know about When, Where, What & How to Forage
the Foraging Forecast: Be in the Know about When, Where, What & How to Forage
An Ongoing E-Subscription Service
with Malcolm Saunders
We are excited to share with you our new offering where you will receive weekly updates sent directly to your inbox so you can be in the know about what there is to wild harvest in our area throughout an entire year.
One of the challenges of becoming a proficient and efficient forager is the time that is required to not only hone your ID and harvesting skills but also the time it takes to be on top of what is in season. Always be outside every day in the environments you want to pick from and be aware of the plants that are at their peak to be picked.
This is where we can help.
Now you can be in the know by getting regular emails to update you on what wild, feral, and domestic plant and mushroom species in our urban, rural and wild landscapes are ready to harvest. We'll show you what to look out for, any cautions including look-alikes (deadly or otherwise), the equipment you'll need, considerations regarding sustainability, optimal harvesting techniques, and more.
Register for this subscription service and over the next 12months, week after week you will build your connection to edible and medicinal plants and the landscapes they grow in. Save hundreds of dollars, hours of time and gain years of experience from what you will learn.
This service is ideal for those living in Alberta with an interest in wild foods and is a perfect companion to anyone who has or will join us for one of our popular wild food plant walks.
Subscribe now and get ready to elevate your plant ID knowledge and harvesting skills and learn exactly what to harvest, when, and how with Malcolm Saunders.
When you register you will automatically be sent the introductory email and you will be added to the list to receive all subsequent emails about the plants as they are released. You can join anytime of year and you can cancel your subscription anytime as well.
Check out our video explainer for this series and an introduction to this service:
Here is a sample of the type of video you will receive:
Here is an example of the type of write-up that will accompany a featured plant:
Balsam Poplar buds
Populus balsamifera
Balsamifera means "yielding or producing a fragrant resin"
aka The Balm of Gilead
“There is a balm in Gilead
To make the wounded whole
There is a balm in Gilead
To heal the wounded soul”
-Luke 17:11-19
Here is a very short video of herbalist Blaine Andrusek talking about the origin of the name "The Blam of Gilead"
The resin from the new leaf buds is considered among herbalists to be one of our area's most important herbs.
What you want are the sticky resin-covered buds of the leaves of the Poplar tree before they open in the Spring. These resins are rich in many compounds but most importantly are the pain-killing, anti-inflammatory compounds Salycylin & Populicin. When applied on the skin in the form of salve these compounds are absorbed directly into the bloodstream.
The action of the buds includes cathartic, tonic, diuretic, alterative, and expectorant. They are also nephritic, demulcent, emollient, vulnerary, counterirritant, antirheumatic, and nutritive.
It is very soothing and healing to dry and inflamed parts of the body both internally and externally and is good for any skin condition as it is soothing to irritations, cuts, rashes, bruises, pimples, and can even stop bleeding.
Poplar is cleansing to the blood, anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral.
Further actions are as a circulatory stimulant and uplifting to the spirits.
Salves from the buds have been prepared by many different cultures around the world and used for the reasons above as well as a pain-killer, cough medicine, and for soothing aching muscles and arthritic joints.
Though oils and salve preparations are most common, one can make a tincture, honey, syrup, and tea from the buds.
Be mindful that whatever you use to process the buds, the resin will generally stick to your pot, cup, jars, etc...
Tips For Harvesting
Look For Fallen Branches, Fallen Trees, Beaver Activity & Arborist Activity.
That's just a taste!
We'd love to have you join us on this adventure of foraging your own food and medicine!
Subscribe now and become part of the community.