Dense endless forests from time immemorial attract man. Pure, saturated with the aroma of forest flowers air, tall trees and sprawling shrubs allow you to fully experience unity with nature.
However, it also happens that when hiking in a forest on a quiet or green hunt, a person wanders into the labyrinth of giant trees and is unable to find the way back. In such cases, you should fully rely on the mercy of Mother Nature, who takes care of the person, providing numerous plants that quench thirst and hunger.
Plants to help survive
Plant food contains almost all the substances necessary for a full life: vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates. In some plants, leaves and shoots are suitable for food, in others - flowers and inflorescences, in others - berries. And certain species have healthy and nutritious roots.
The main advantage of herbs is the ability to eat them without pre-treatment, as well as the availability and prevalence in almost all corners of the Earth (except in the polar and desert regions). Knowing the properties of forest plants will help the confused traveler to maintain his strength and successfully survive in the wild.
Representatives of the plant world, edible
Perhaps the most accessible plant with edible shoots and leaves is nettle. Her leaves are extremely rich in vitamins C, B and K and carotene.Young nettles can be eaten raw, but before that you need to carefully stretch the leaves to remove burning hairs.
Dandelion like food
No less common is dandelion. Perhaps every plant knows what this plant looks like. Dandelion contains a large amount of calcium, phosphorus, protein and iron. The leaves of this plant can also be eaten raw, but you must first soak them in water to remove the bitter juice. But the root is the most nutritious part of the plant - it can be fried, boiled or dried for subsequent grinding into flour.
Kislitsa
Many seemingly unsightly herbs are not only edible, but also widely used in medicine. Among them can be called sour acid - a plant with small leaves that prefers moist and shaded places. Oxygen is rich in vitamin C and oxalic acid; it is usually eaten raw. Dried acid is used as seasoning.
Rhubarb
In almost every forest, rhubarb is found - a broad-leaved plant growing in the form of huge rosettes. Rhubarb stalks are eaten both raw and dried or boiled. Before use, be sure to peel.
Hogweed
The huge plant hogweed has edible roots, leaves and shoots. Its stems are very juicy and will quench your thirst wonderfully. Rhizome has a sweet, pleasant taste, comparable in calorie content and sugar content to corn. But the leaves of the plant have a rich and pungent odor, and before use it would be better to soak them in several waters.However, it should be borne in mind that some species of hogweed are poisonous and are not suitable for food.
Bracken fern
At bracken fern, you can use leaves and young shoots thoroughly washed in water for food. They taste like mushrooms.
Inedible plants in the forest
It is worth at least briefly studying the features of forest flora, so that, when you are alone with nature, you do not accidentally eat a health hazard and do yourself significant harm. For example, you should not use spotted hemlock - this plant is very similar to hogweed, but exudes a pungent odor that can cause a headache.
May lily of the valley
Despite the external attractiveness, May lily of the valley is also an inedible plant - its bright red berries can cause severe poisoning.
Voronets
Voronets - a plant that resembles an elderberry in appearance, only with red berries. The use of this plant in food is fraught with sad consequences up to death.
It is worth remembering firmly: if even the slightest doubt arises about the dangers of plant foods, it is better to throw it away and look for something else rather than do irreparable harm to yourself.
