Sunflower – Helianthus Annuus: Edible & Medicinal Uses of the Sun-facer of Wild Plants

Sunflower – Helianthus Spp.

While most folks know sunflower (Helianthus spp.) is edible, did you know it’s a medicinal plant as well? Sunflower is another garden escapee around Haliburton, Ontario, or a bird feeder escapee. Native woodland sunflower (Helianthus stumosus) is a rarity in our area. The header image is an nonnative ashy sunflower, a picture I took in …

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Common Mullein – Verbascum Thapsus: Edible & Medicinal Uses of the Coziest Wild Plant

Common Mullein - Verbascum Thapsus

In Anishinaabemowin, mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is sometimes called waabooyaanibag (blanket leaf). Its uses are blanketly more medicinal than edible. But you can eat the delicate yellow flowers too! Mullein’s folk names include but are not limited to flannel leaf (leaves stuffed in shoes for warmth), tinder plant/torches/torch-wort, candlewick (dried stems used to be dipped in …

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