Wild Leek – Allium Tricoccum: Edible & Medicinal Uses of Ramps, The Top Locally Foraged Wild Plant

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Wild leek or ramps (Allium tricoccum) is a popular foraged plant by people who aren’t otherwise foragers around here. Some properties have carpets of them. Others have been stripped of them as people don’t know offhand how long the bulbs take to grow and how easy it is to devastate a population of ramps. In some areas this popular edible and medicinal plant is endangered.

Wild Leek – Allium tricoccum
Wild Leek – Allium tricoccum

I’ve enjoyed wild leek grilled panini twice this week. And there’s some potato and wild leek soup in my near future. My immediate area has been over-harvested, so I get them at the studio. This year I replanted some on my property in hopes to establish them plentifully here, though it will take some time. Some folks are lucky enough to own properties where there are thousands upon thousands of leeks.

Edible Uses of Wild Leek

Some folks can stomach the strong bulbs, some can’t. One bulb can ruin a dish for super sensitive tummies. The leaves are amazing enough, and leaving the bulbs and rhizomes (at least leave the rhizomes) will keep carpets of ramps in the woods. United Plant Savers recommends taking just one leaf per plant in areas where it’s at risk. The young leaves are best until they unfurl into broad leaves.

Bulbs can be harvested early spring through autumn. But please give this article a gander.

Oftentimes, I find morels near wild leek as gatherers seem to have spread the spores around while foraging for both leeks and mushrooms here!

Medicinal Uses of Wild Leek

Wild Leek is primarily said to support these body systems:

  • Respiratory

Medicinal tags include Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antiviral, Diuretic and Expectorant. See Medicinal tag key for more information.

Common usage includes rubbing a bit of the juice on insect bites to relieve stings. I use store bought onions to help open my sinuses and for coughs, but I haven’t experimented with wild ramp bulbs for this as they are too strong for my stomach.

People used to wear onion or garlic around their neck to prevent illness. I don’t know if it helps, but you’ll keep some people away, that’s for sure.

Wild Leek – Allium Tricoccum
This patch could be wiped out easily if pulled over a few years or by a few passersby.. hence the endangerment.

Alternative Uses of Ramps

It’s a great bridge to talking to friends about over-harvesting and at risk plants. I dare ya! Find out more at United Plant Savers. And join up, if you will, and can!

Growing Allium Tricoccum

Replant bulbs with the rhizomes attached or plant the seeds – click on United Plant Savers link just above for detailed instructions. The seeds are also fairly simple to find and harvest for planting. But the straightest shot is just replanting the bulbs. I highly encourage it as a habit; at the rate people eat leeks in our area entire wooded lawns or lawn edges could be replaced with leek patches in due time.

There are local pollinators who will use the pollen or nectar as a food source, so make sure to leave flowering stems, for the bees and for the seeds.

WARNINGS

There are lookalikes, but only the wild leek smells strongly of garlicky onion goodness.

Take it easy at first, it can cause memorable gastric distress.

And the Usual Cautions:

1) Most medicinal herbs, if edible, are meant to be eaten in moderation, even sparingly. Some require extra preparation. Tannins are toxic if consumed in excess. Before taking any new supplements, you should consult with a healthcare professional.

2) A vast amount of these herbs are diuretic. (See the Medicinal tags above to check if this featured herb is one of them!) Diuretics are generally safe, but they can be risky for people with other medical conditions or who take certain medications. Please consult your doctor if you have any health conditions.

3) People can be allergic or sensitive to nearly any plant; try new herbs one at a time at your own risk. For instance, saponins commonly cause stomach upset.

4) For serious medicinal use, I must recommend receiving a diagnosis and working with a reputed health care provider. I generally do not post specific treatments and dosages because I think that is best between you and your health care provider, and ideally monitored.

5) Anyone pregnant, nursing, or taking prescription drugs should talk to a health care professional before adding new food items to their diet.

6) Many plants have look-a-likes, and sometimes they are poisonous.

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REFERENCES

My new favourite foraging book is Sam Thayer’s Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants: of Eastern and Central North America (The Sam Thayer’s Field Guides) Paperback – June 1, 2023 and this plant IS featured as one of the edible wild plants in this area. I highly recommend this guide for your bookshelves!

Allium tricoccum Aiton – Database of Vascular Plants of Canada (VASCAN)

wiki/Allium_tricoccum

Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs

How Indians Use Wild Plants for Food, Medicine & Crafts (Native American)

Field Guide to Medicinal Wild Plants

Field Guide to North American Edible Wild Plants (Out of Print)

Indian Herbalogy of North America: The Definitive Guide to Native Medicinal Plants and Their Uses

Edible and Medicinal Plants of Canada

The Forager’s Harvest: A Guide to Identifying, Harvesting, and Preparing Edible Wild Plants

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