Despite a soggy start to Saturday, the Rad Rems crew assembled riverside at Daubeney fields to meet and explore the wild plants of Hackney Marshes.
We started by seeing what lies in plain site amongst the grass of the park; Yarrow, Plantain and to our immediate hedge line Nettle and Chamomile nestled under blackthorn thicket. Our walk was focused on sharing identification skills with each other, rather than seeking to harvest any large quantity of herbs. The mentality behind this was honouring precious and limited nature of green space in London not compromising the local ecology by taking anymore plant material than needed for educating ourselves.
Despite the rain our eager and curious team threaded our way through wasteland, finding St John’s Wort, Mallow and Mugwort. Of particular interested was how Mugwort can be dried and used as substitute for tobacco, as well as traditionally being associated with enhancing dreamtime. We discussed how July is prime time for harvested St John’s Wort flowers and buds. Topically, it used for muscle and joint inflammation, it may infused in oil and applied to affected areas. Internally, it is used to relieve anxiety and depression, although it should be noted this herb cannot be used in combination with the pill or anti-depression medications.
We wandered on, rain clearing to a steaming hot sunny interval at this point, and discovered Burdock, Comfrey and Hogweed down by the river. Nettle seeds were in high demand for our foray, renowned for their nutritional value and energising qualities, edible when green but best harvested ripening to brown.
Our walk back along the canal was focused on identifying trees, Gingko, Cherry, Elder, Poplar and we marvelled at the diversity amongst the walls of green. We closed our walk back at the park, laying out and sharing the samples of the foraging session for the slowly assembling audience of the Circus Boat show along with relevant literature.
Many thanks to the Circus Boat Collectif for having us join the weekend of performance and sharing some wild plant knowledge with folks.
