Evening Primrose
Evening Primrose is another plant more known in herbal medicine as the leaves and seed oil contain valuable medicinal properties. As a wild edible, though, the roots are our main focus. They can be harvested and used as we would small potatoes or Jerusalem Artichoke. The tender, spring leaves, may be included in salads or with potherbs, but as the leaves have medicinal properties it is best to use them sparingly. The whole plant is edible. But, it is a biennial, so you want to harvest different parts at different times. While the shoots, tender leaves and flowers are always good in the spring, the roots are best harvested in the spring of the second year before the above ground parts of the plant get very big.
Evening Primrose roots are fairly large – like huge radishes or decent sized parsnips. They have a sweet, nutty flavor and are not too tough if harvested early in the season. They are excellent baked and served with butter, salt and parsley. You can make great “mashed potatoes” with them, or even slice them and deep fry them – you’ll probably enjoy them more than potato fries! You can add them to soups or toss them in with a roast or beef, game or chicken and enjoy with gravy. Leftovers make a fantastic hash. Evening Primrose roots can be combined with any tubers you enjoy and have on hand. I like to just peel or scrub them, slice them and fry them up with onions in bacon fat and enjoy them with cheese and hot sauce with a big plate of scrambled eggs. Like most such vegetables, they are the ideal pairing with fish in any form. I do find them best combined with mashed potato in making fish cakes – simply mix flaked, cooked fish with your mashed roots, a little bread crumb and a beaten egg, finely chopped onion, celery, parsley (etc.), make into patties and fry in the fat of your choice.
Plants For A Future tells us:
Medicinal use of Evening Primrose: The bark and the leaves are astringent and sedative. They have proved of use in the treatment of gastro-intestinal disorders of a functional origin, whooping cough and asthma. A syrup made from the flowers is also an effective treatment for whooping cough. The bark is stripped from the flowering stem and dried for later use, the leaves are also harvested and dried at this time. Evening primrose oil has become a well-known food supplement since the 1980"s. Research suggests that the oil is potentially very valuable in the treatment of multiple sclerosis, pre-menstrual tension, hyperactivity etc. It is also taken internally in the treatment of eczema, acne, brittle nails, rheumatoid arthritis and alcohol-related liver damage. Regular consumption of the oil helps to reduce blood cholesterol levels and lower the blood pressure. The seed is a good source of gamma-linolenic acid, an unsaturated fatty acid which assists the production of hormone-like substances. This process is commonly blocked in the body, causing disorders that affect the uterine muscles, nervous system and metabolism. The poulticed root is applied to piles and bruises. A tea made from the roots is used in the treatment of obesity and bowel pains.
False Solomon’s Seal
True Solomon’s Seal and False Solomon’s Seal look fairly similar; Twisted Stalk is another plant that can resemble either at various stages of its growth…. And, apparently, some people think they all look like Lily of the Valley. They don’t look that alike to me. But, I should point out that Lily of the Valley can be quite toxic – it has a digitalis like effect and can slow the heart to the point of stopping if much is eaten. So, my advice would be to learn to identify lily of the valley first, so as not to confuse it with other plants. It grows abundantly by the creek across from my house, so I’m very familiar with it. I have all three of the aforementioned edibles growing wild in my yard and have become very familiar with them. The good news for you, is that if you don’t have them close enough at hand to learn the differences, all three are edible. The young shoots of False Solomon’s Seal are particularly good in early spring as an Asparagus-like edible. You can eat them raw or cooked, using the steam/saute method. Feel free to mix them with other Asparagus-like wild vegetables for a unique spring meal. You can also pickle them, but Twisted Stalk, also called Indian Cucumber, is really the superior vegetable in that regard, but again a mix would be nice. Like I said about Day Lily shoots, it is hard to go wrong with either False or true Solomon’s Seal shoots as they are a lot like asparagus and actually related to asparagus.
This article is an excerpt from
The Spring Foraging Cookbook: https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-spring-foraging-cookbook.html
Available for purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CRP63R54
Also, I am back on Youtube. Please subscribe to my channel: @judsoncarroll5902 Judson Carroll - YouTube
PS. New today in my Woodcraft shop:
Toasted Holly Cooking Spoon
https://judsoncarrollwoodcraft.substack.com/p/toasted-holly-cooking-spoon
Read about my other new books:
Herbal Medicine for Preppers, Homesteaders and Permaculture People: https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2021/10/herbal-medicine-for-preppers.html
Available on Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/B09HMWXL25
Medicinal Ferns and Fern Allies, an Herbalist's Guide https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/11/medicinal-ferns-and-fern-allies.html
Available for purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BMSZSJPS
A Daily Catholic Devotional Reflections on the Daily Mass readings July-December, 2025
https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2023/12/a-daily-catholic-devotional-reflections.html
Medicinal Weeds and Grasses of the American Southeast, an Herbalist's Guide
https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2023/05/medicinal-weeds-and-grasses-of-american.html
Available in paperback on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C47LHTTH
and
Confirmation, an Autobiography of Faith
https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2023/05/confirmation-autobiography-of-faith.html
Available in paperback on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C47Q1JNK
and
Medicinal Shrubs and Woody Vines of The American Southeast An Herbalist's Guide
Read about Medicinal Shrubs and Woody Vines of The American Southeast An Herbalist's Guide: https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/06/medicinal-shrubs-and-woody-vines-of.html
Available for purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B2T4Y5L6: by Judson Carroll
Visit my Substack and sign up for my free newsletter:
Read about my new other books:
Medicinal Ferns and Fern Allies, an Herbalist's Guide https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/11/medicinal-ferns-and-fern-allies.html
Available for purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BMSZSJPS
The Omnivore’s Guide to Home Cooking for Preppers, Homesteaders, Permaculture People and Everyone Else: https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/10/the-omnivores-guide-to-home-cooking-for.html
Available for purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BGKX37Q2
Medicinal Shrubs and Woody Vines of The American Southeast an Herbalist's Guide
https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/06/medicinal-shrubs-and-woody-vines-of.html
Available for purchase on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B2T4Y5L6
and
Growing Your Survival Herb Garden for Preppers, Homesteaders and Everyone Else
https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/04/growing-your-survival-herb-garden-for.html
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09X4LYV9R
The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Bitter Herbs: https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/03/the-encyclopedia-of-bitter-medicina.html
Available for purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B5MYJ35R
and
Christian Medicine, History and Practice: https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/01/christian-herbal-medicine-history-and.html
Available for purchase on Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/B09P7RNCTB
Podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/show/southern-appalachian-herbs
Blog:
https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/
Free Video Lessons: Herbal Medicine 101 - YouTube
Disclaimer
The information on this site is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease or condition. Nothing on this site has been evaluated or approved by the FDA. I am not a doctor. The US government does not recognize the practice of herbal medicine and their is no governing body regulating herbalists. Therefore, I'm just a guy who studies herbs. I am not offering any advice. I won't even claim that anything I write is accurate or true! I can tell you what herbs have "traditionally been used for." I can tell you my own experience and if I believe an herb helped me. I cannot, nor would I tell you to do the same. If you use any herb I, or anyone else, mentions you are treating yourself. You take full responsibility for your health. Humans are individuals and no two are identical. What works for me may not work for you. You may have an allergy, sensitivity or underlying condition that no one else shares and you don't even know about. Be careful with your health. By continuing to read my blog you agree to be responsible for yourself, do your own research, make your own choices and not to blame me for anything, ever.
No comments:
Post a Comment