Herbs and Foraging
Herbs and Foraging: An Introduction
This category, Herbs and Foraging, will provide ideas for easy to find or easy to grow herbs and wild foods that you can add to your diet or use to support health. As a physician, my (Dr. Koe’s) goal is to help people get the best nutrition and wellness support possible. Herbs and other foods (such as carefully identified mushrooms and fungi) grown or foraged from the natural spaces around you can benefit you in many ways. They add nutritional value and delicious flavor to your meals, support your overall well-being and help you get exercise while you are out looking for or growing herbs.
At AgroshareMD, we strive to provide the most accurate information possible about a variety of related subjects so that you can make informed decisions and pursue and protect vibrant health. I have always had a passion for growing things and learning about herbalism and the plants around us. I am also a lifelong learner, constantly reading, studying and trying to expand my knowledge base so that I can help my patients to the best of my ability. Some herbs listed here are ones I use personally, or am studying about in order to dive a little deeper into the subject. I hope to encourage the lifelong pursuit of knowledge and research-based information in all who come here.
We derive the information in this category from a variety of sources. I, and my knowledgeable staff, draw on many combined years of practical experience. We also use books and reference material (all cited in each article) from well-respected herbalists, physicians, and other science-based resources. We always encourage you to do your own research and to always consult your medical professional before adding anything to your diet or health plan. With that being said, I’d like to talk about one of my personal professional heroes, and someone you might frequently see quoted on this site.
I deeply respect and look up to Dr. Andrew Weil. He is my most important mentor from afar! I got all of his monthly newsletters in the 90s. When I was applying for residency, I wanted to go to his program in either Arizona or New Mexico. He had the first combined family medicine/alternative medicine residency program in the country. It turns out that he had a best friend who did the second one in Tennessee at ETSU. I applied and almost went there! But my kids wanted me to stay in Alabama.
I told my daughters I wanted them to let me know where they wanted me to go into residency because they had put up with so much of me preparing for and going to medical school. I am very glad I stayed here as I have a wonderful life. Although I may have had a very different course in Tennessee and I am not doubting it would also have been wonderful in its own way, there is a purpose for me being here in Alabama.
I did not choose to pursue that specific path, but I have considered alternatives in medicine for many years, long before I went to medical school. My passion for anything backed by science that can help support nutrition and healing is why I am so interested in herbs and other alternatives. I still use some of Dr. Weil’s recommendations for women’s health!
We hope you find something new here. As always, we encourage you to contact us if there is an herb or foraged food you would like to learn more about.
Herbs and Foraging Articles
Edible Flowers in Salads
Written by: Dr. Frannie Koe, MD Today’s blog fits in both the categories of food and farming! If you are planting any flowers, or planning a garden, you may consider adding more edible varieties as well. I thought little about adding edible flowers to my food until I...
Chicken of the Woods- Foraging for Food and Fun!
Written by: Breanne Brazeale Medically Reviewed by: Dr. Frannie Koe, MD It’s no secret that we here at AgroshareMD are big fans of gardening and food self-sufficiency. But not everyone has the time, land or opportunity to grow their own. Foraging can be a great way to...