Safety

Herbal medicines are our oldest medicines and have been used safely for thousands of years. Medicinal plants become unsafe when used incorrectly, without due respect for the nature of the plants or when proper identification is not used.

  1. Always be certain of the identity of the plant. I cannot stress this enough. If you are unsure, please post a picture and ask for support. This is the reason I included the FaceBook group in this program. Look at the sites listed in the resources section for identification as well. Look at the leaves, stems, flowers or any other identifying characteristics of your plant. Don’t rely too heavily on Plant Identification apps as they are often flawed and I find they are not familiar with a lot of native plants in Saskatchewan.

  2. Never harvest medicinal plants from an area that may have been sprayed with pesticides, herbicides, insecticides or other chemicals. We don’t want to ingest or use any plants that may have been treated chemically. I waited 5 years before harvesting dandelions from my lawn after moving to a new property as I didn’t know if the previous owners had sprayed the lawn. In public places, I don’t recommend foraging for herbs at ground level unless you are certain there have been no chemical applications in years. Foraging from trees is generally considered safer, however, precautions should be used.

  3. Research the medicinal properties of the plant for yourself before you use it, especially before you ingest it. Don’t take someone else’s word for it. It is your responsibility as the consumer to understand what plant medicines you are working with.

  4. Herbal doses can be quite potent. When in doubt start with less.

  5. If you have allergies I recommend skin testing a plant before you use it in skincare or ingest it. To do this crush a small amount of the plant into an oil that agrees with your skin like olive oil. Allow it to sit for several hours then apply a small amount of the oil to a spot on the inside of your arm. Wait several hours or overnight to see if you react. This allergy quick test does not eliminate all possibilities of an allergic reaction but is a good way to start. Always start with small doses when ingesting a new plant.

Foraging Safety and Ethics

  1. Know your environment. Never harvest items from the ground, especially in areas where there may have been chemicals sprayed. Harvesting from trees is often considered safe, except in the case of fruit trees or in a tree with a bug infestation. These are more likely to have had chemicals applied to them.

  2. Be respectful of the plants. The rule of foraging is to never take more than 1/3 of any plant from any area. Leave 1/3 for nature and 1/3 for future generations. When harvesting stems, leaves or buds be very mindful of the tree’s growth pattern. Do not take all from one part of the tree, but from several different areas in small amounts so as to not damage the tree. When harvesting pine or spruce tips harvest only a few from each tree. These evergreens grow slowly and when we harvest the tips we are taking away this year’s growth.

  3. Don’t trespass for foraging. This should go without saying, but be respectful of the land and the people that occupy it. Wherever possible, ask for permission before gathering from an area. Foraging is prohibited in National Parks.

  4. Be respectful of Sacred plants like wild sage. I don’t recommend harvesting sage for anything other than personal use and in very small amounts. This plant is very sacred and used for ceremonies in Indigenous communities and should be respected.