Foraging for your Health

By Marlow Renton

It’s no surprise that our environment plays a significant role in our well-being, we live in a world that is increasingly dominated by screens and the ease of eating a largely processed diet; the simple act of foraging, the gathering of wild plants, flowers, mushrooms and other edibles can offer a profound benefit for your physical, mental and emotional well-being. At Wild Food UK we firmly believe that the invaluable foraging skills you learn with us on our guided walks will help you reconnect with nature, enrich your diet, can promote a healthier lifestyle and improve your well-being.

Your Diet 

Foraged foods are often more nutrient-rich than their cultivated cousins. Wild Food favourites like Common Hogweed is packed with Vitamin C, Nettles are rich in Vitamins A, C, B’s and K, high in calcium, iron and magnesium and when harvested in early spring the young leaves are known to be a great wild alternative of plant-based protein. Hedgehog fungus, an easily identifiable wild mushroom for a novice forager, is packed with Vitamin D and Iron as well as being a useful source of dietary fibre and potassium.

By incorporating foraged ingredients into your diet, you can help improve gut health, combat deficiencies and bolster your immune system. And unlike produce you find in the shops, which may lose nutrients during transportation and storage, your foraged ingredients are typically fresher and consumed soon after harvesting.

Stress Relieving Activity

Spending time outside and in nature has been shown to reduce your cortisol levels, the hormone related to stress. Walking through woodlands, or meadows whilst identifying both the edible and poisonous plants, or mushrooms combines the calming effects of feeling connected to nature with a mindfully focused activity. Foraging as a skill, could be describe as a meditative process, an informal type of mindfulness, requiring patience and observation.

Physical Benefits

Foraging could be classed as an unintentional form of exercise, through walking, bending, reaching, these movements improve your flexibility and balance. In addition to the benefits of movement, you’ll reap the benefits of being outside and exposed to sunlight, boosting your Vitamin D levels, which is good for bone health, immune function, enhances your mood and boosts energy.

Learning

Foraging is a brain-boosting activity that enhances cognitive function. Learning to identify plants and mushrooms requires focus, observation and memory. As your knowledge grows and is shared, your problem-solving skills and critical thinking skills will develop as you learn to distinguish between similar looking species. Foraging is a continuous learning journey, drawing knowledge from experts in mycology and botany, keeping the mind active and engaged.

Connection

With Wild Food UK foraging is a community experience, bringing people together. Our group foraging courses are a fantastic way to connect with both nature and other like-minded people, sharing your knowledge, experiences and cultural traditions of gathering wild foods.
Foraging is a holistic activity that nourishes the body, mind and soul. Whether you’re gathering wild herbs for tea, mushrooms for dinner or berries and nuts for pudding, the act of foraging connects you to the earth, promotes wellness and fosters a deeper appreciation for our beautiful planet and all that grows here.

Learn more with Dr Rob here: 

For more information about our foraging courses, venues and dates available you can visit our trip pages HERE or if you’re interested in a bespoke private course email us at [email protected] 

At Wild Food UK we prioritise environmental stewardship, foraging legally, ethically, safely and sustainably. Always follow your local bylaws, avoid over-harvesting and never eat any wild plant or mushroom unless you are 100% sure of what it is and that it is edible.

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