Number 27 - Fireweed

Also known as  Rosebay Willowherb, Epilobium angustifolium has sprung up all over the UK this summer.

The plant has also been known as bombweed, due to the sudden rise in population of the plant next to railways and in craters made by bombs in World War II. The plant is also known in Scotland as Singerweed, due to its sprouting of the plants on the bombed land of the Singer Sewing Machine Factory.

The plant's shoots can be eaten as an addition to salads, and if preserved, contain Vitamin C and Pro-Vitamin A. It's leaves can be used to make Kapoori/Kaporie/Kapor tea. In North America, Fireweed jelly, sweets and ice cream are popular treats. Rosebay is taken to ease stomach and digestion issues, such as cramps and diaherra.

However, even though the shoots of the plants can be eaten like asparagus, they are incredibly bitter, and are an aquired taste.

Rosebay can be taken as Kapoori Tea, in salads, or as pills and tinctures.

(A jar of Alaskan Fireweed Jelly. Would you eat this with PJ? Product of Alaska Pure Berry)

Number 7 - Dandelion

A surprisingly useful herb, the Dandelion (Taraxfum officinale) is the weed we see in our back gardens and parks, and often remove with weed killers.

It can be used to treat liver and gall bladder problems, and its leaves can treat skin conditions such as eczema. The leaves can also be eaten in salads. However, like many herbs, it can affect other medications being effective.

It can be applied as a tincture, can be eaten as it is, but can also ingested as a tea which has blood purifying properties. It is also sold commercially as this tea, and also in the popular soft drink, Dandelion and Burdock.

A box of dandelion tea (Source Unknown. A Product of Clipper.)