Foraging South Dakota, part 1

As our countries healthcare and food supply chain have gotten increasingly worse I have found a deeper appreciation for what our earth provides naturally, and how I can use it sustainably and to my benefit. The geography of South Dakota is incredibly interesting in its diversity. On the Western side is the Badlands and the Black Hills and each have their own distinct, wild environment. Here on the eastern side of South Dakota sits a roughly 200 x 100 stretch of rolling plains and wetlands called the Coteau des Prairies that have been primarily turned into farmland due to its vast flatness and gentle hills. Foraging can be a bit tricky because of this so getting creative where you forage will be a necessity!

So, let’s take a look at a common South Dakota wildflower called Phlox Divaricata.

Phlox is commonly ingested as a tea using the entire plant and it is used for treating general stomach discomfort.  The tea was used as a blood purifier and for treating boils and eczema, the roots were sometimes steeped and used as face wash. I am no expert, but this is just a simple description of some of the uses of Phlox can be utilized for.

The best way to harvest and store your Phlox is to pick them while they are dry from rain or dew and in full bloom. Cut the ripe flower heads and shake them onto a plate or in to a bag to gather the seeds, which you can spread and encourage growth for next year as Phlox are perennial flowers. Early blooming phlox is a great addition for decorating, used in celebrations,  or it makes great flower wreaths. Phlox is commonly used in weddings as it has deep meaning in creating harmony and enlightenment within relationships.

Phlox does also have some wonderful uses in spell or ritual work. Phlox has properties that benefit working peacefully toward common goals, unifying families or coworkers, or soothing difficult relationships. Use it during meditation to increase productivity and stop procrastinating, and don’t forget because of the vibrant color phlox it is an excellent item to use in color magic! 

Sincerely, Clover

DO NOT ingest any plants without first confirming what you are consuming. Always do your due diligence and make sure you have the correct plant before you use it for any medicinal purposes, and make sure to always refer to your doctor as well before beginning any herbal remedies.

*These lovely photos are taken from google image search, to be replaced at a later date.