Wildcrafting is the term for harvesting wild herbs in nature. Before collecting any herb, flower, or plant, be certain of the plant’s identity and that it’s permissible to harvest. Several precious herbs and plants have already been picked into extinction. We can prevent the same from happening to those that are endangered, such as Smooth Purple Coneflower (Echinacea laevigata), American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), and Eyebright (Euphrasia, spp.), or currently considered at-risk, such as Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa L.), Wild Yam (Dioscorea villosa), and Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis).

When you wildcraft, be sure to express your gratitude to the plant for its assistance and take no more than 25% of the population. Finally, label your collection carefully so you remember the plant’s identity and when and where it was harvested.