Edible and Medicinal Plants of Southern
Illinois
"Nature's pharmacy" or "nature's fruit market" may
be the best way to explain it. Long before there were modern medical
centers or supermarkets, the inhabitants of Southern Illinois
survived by "living off the land." The forests, wetlands, and
grasslands of Southern Illinois are a rich source for edible and
medicinal plants. Imagine getting a fever or an infection and not
having a doctor to call or an emergency room nearby. The early
inhabitants had to be creative to prevent starvation or survive
disease.
Many
early inhabitants did not survive disease, but occasionally some
remedy would work to ease suffering and would then be considered a
"medicine." Even after there were doctors, many of the "medicines"
used were derived directly from plant products. The doctor would
often take extracts from plants with a mortar and pestle to prepare
powders, ointments, or pills. Many plants are still used today, in
some form, to eliminate suffering.
The following rules MUST be observed
when collecting and eating wild plants:
- Study with an expert or take the plant to an
expert for proper identification.
- After positive identification of an edible
plant, taste only a small amount. This will prevent allergic
reactions to previously unused plant products.
- The purpose of the information in the plant
reports is not to recommend or endorse herbal medication, self
diagnosis or self medication. If you are ill, seek the advice
of a physician. The information is provided as historic
reference and not scientific fact.
- Practice conservation. Never collect more
plants than you intend to use and never pick endangered or
threatened plant species.
- Avoid harvesting plants from polluted ground.
Roadsides or areas along railroad tracks are often polluted with
herbicides or tainted with chemicals such as lead or benzene. Be
careful!!
- Wash and cook all plants carefully.
The plants listed below have parts that are
edible or may be medicinal. The list will be updated regularly. Click
on the plants that are underlined to read more information
about their uses.
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Artichoke,
Jerusalem
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Birch
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Blackberries
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Bloodroot
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Blueflag, Iris
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Burdock
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Butterflyweed
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Black Locust
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Basswood, American
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Black Haw
|
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Cinquefoil
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Cabbage, skunk
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Carrot, wild
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Cattails
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Cherries, Wild
Black
|
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Crabgrass
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Chickweed
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Chicory
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Cleavers/bedstraw
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Clover
|
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Crabapples
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Cranesbill
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Cow-parsnip
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Creeper,
Virginia
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Dandelion
|
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Dewberry
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Daylily
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Dogwood,
Flowering
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Dog-tooth violet
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Elderberry
|
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Evening
primrose
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Goatsbeard
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Ginger, wild
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Goldenrod
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Goldenseal
|
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Grapes, Wild
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Garlic, wild
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Ground ivy
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Gooseberry
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Hazelnuts
|
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Ginseng, American
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Hawthorn
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Honeysuckles
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Hackberry
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Henbit
|
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Hickory
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Jimsonweed
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Jack in the
pulpit
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Kentucky
Coffeetree
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Lady's
slipper
|
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Lamb's
quarter
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Lettuce, wild
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Lilies, water
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Lily, day
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Sugar
Maple
|
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May apple
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Milkweed
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Mints/pennyroyal
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Mullein
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Mustard,
black
|
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Mulberry, Red
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Ox-eye daisy
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Pawpaw
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Peppergrass
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Purslane
|
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Plantain
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Persimmon
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Pokeweed
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Prickly pear
cactus
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Redbud
|
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Roses, wild
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Sheep Sorrel
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Self-heal
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Sassafras
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Shepherd's
purse
|
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Snakeroot
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Sorrels, wood
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Spiderwort
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Spring beauties
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Star of
bethlehem
|
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Soloman's Seal
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Sunflower
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Smartweed
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Sumacs
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Strawberry,
Wild
|
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Tartarian
Honeysuckle
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Thistle, bull
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Touch me nots
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Violets
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Walnut
|
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Willow
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Witchhazel
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White Oak
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Yarrow
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Yucca
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