Willowherbs (Epilobium spp.) aren’t a stranger to our Edible and Medicinal Plants blog. We covered Fireweed previously, the star of the species as far as human usage goes. And the showiest. The others are mostly quainter looking, but I think they deserve a moment in the sun too.
Hairy willow-herb (E. hirsutum) has showier blooms closer to fireweeds. It’s a rare find in Haliburton, Ontario. You might find it in low wet waste areas. You’re more likely to find the quainter flowered fringed willow-herb (E. ciliatum) which is common in damp open areas, and in moist roadside ditches. Its closest lookalike is purpleleaf (E. coloratum), another rare find here on swamp edges or perhaps disturbed roadsides. Uncommon here in damp ditches and open sedge and grass areas is narrow-leaved willowherb (E. leptophyllum). Another rare here is marsh willowherb (E. palustre). They make for quite the game of hide and seek or treasure seek.
There are other species that share the name. Occasionally, skullcap is called hooded willow herb. And purple loosestrife is sometimes called purple willow herb.
Edible Uses of Willowherbs
Hairy (E. hirsutum) comes in second to fireweed for human usage and its leaves and stems are similarly edible when cooked. Ditto smaller, quainter relations like (E. latifolium).
The scent of these plants have given them folk names like apple pie, cherry pie, and plum pudding. Fireweed petals can be used to sweeten candies and desserts, jellies and syrups. It’s one of the sweeteners used with soapberries/Canada buffaloberry and water to make sxusem, a whipped traditional dessert by many First Nations peoples.
Bees who nectar from willowherbs make a spicier honey.
Medicinal Uses of Willowherbs
Willowherbs is primarily said to support these body systems:
- Digestive
Medicinal tags include Astringent. See Medicinal tag key for more information.
Common usage includes willow herb (E. ciliatum) used in a tea for diarreha. Fireweed gets the most medicinal attention.
Growing Epilobium SPP.
Fireweed is the most showy native of the species, and hairy willow herb shares its larger blooms. But the fringed et al have that kind of shabby chic look that reminds me of fleabane, horseweed, and maybe grassy looking blooms like blue-eyed. These are all vastly overlooked plants for landscaping, as showy is the typical gardening aesthetic. But they are pretty plants for a cottage garden that looks more wild and natural.
For now, fireweed (E. angustifolium) is the easiest of the willowherbs to find for sale. It likes full sun and isn’t too fussy about soil moisture. I usually notice it in meadows or clearings. It’ll definitely work well for landscaping where you want a tall plant to fill in an area. You can divide from rhizomes or start from seed. It will spread out rapidly.
There are moths whose caterpillars eat the leaves, including the many-lined carpet moth (Anticlea multiferata). Bees and hummingbirds will also feed on the nectar.
WARNINGS
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!
*Fireweed is the only species Sam covers in his book.
https://data.canadensys.net/vascan/taxon/1140?lang=en
https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/wetland/plants/cn_willowherb.htm
Edible and Medicinal Plants of Canada
A Modern Herbal (Volume 2, I-Z and Indexes)
Field Guide to North American Edible Wild Plants (Out of Print)
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