The Totally Edible Wild Blackberry

Behold the wonder of the little green plants of spring. Today I will share with you herbal information and health benefits of Wild Blackberries.

Wild blackberries have historically been used by the Native Peoples for food . In the early spring Native Americans would gather the tender green shoots , strip away their tiny thorns, and use the tender stalks to flavor wild meat dishes. Wild blackberry shoots would also be added to other wild spring greens and mushrooms in a soup or in some other kind of dish. The Native Peoples of America used the roots and leaves of the wild blackberry for health benefits. Science has recently discovered that dark pigmented fruits like blueberries and blackberries have extra special health properties. Dark colored fruits are full of antioxidants that are very good for your heart, have anti-aging and anti-cancer properties.

Catnip Plants

I use the leaves of the wild blackberry in combination with Chamomile or Fennel to create a soothing tea for the upset or grippe stomach with excellent results. I have also used wild blackberry leaves with Peppermint and /or Catnip with excellent results for stomach upsets. This blend is often a great alternative for people who have severe allergies to any kind of flowering plants such as Chamomile.

Then of course there is my favorite part of the plant, the fruit. These small little black tasty jewels make excellent cobbler, jam,or jelly. If blackberries do not please your palette, you might consider leaving a stand of them growing in a corner of your yard to feed the birds. The birds will thank you for they love these tasty little black morsels. If picking wild blackberries is not your thing because of the thorns , there are several thorn-less varieties you can purchase that have very large luscious fruit. It is a great way to enjoy these healthy treats fresh from your yard. If you do not have a yard, you can grow blackberries in container gardens.

Strawberries, blueberries and raspberries can also be grown in container gardens. Berries are normally easy to grow in containers , requiring little to no care from you except water and fertilizer .

I gather wild blackberry leaves all growing season long .To dry them, I tie a string around the branches, hang them, and let them dry .The leaves are dry enough for baggie storage when the leaves crumble when you pinch them. Don't forget to date the baggie you place then in after drying, remember fresh is important . I add those sweet flavored leaves to my sooth your upset tummy herbal remedies.

Wild blackberries grow all over the land here and I am picking leaves, watching patiently, waiting for those little berry treasures to ripen. I am dreaming of Blackberry cobbler. I have visions of Blackberry jelly on toast, MMMMMMMM YUM!

The Totally Edible Wild Blackberry