The health benefits of foraging in nature

As I made my way into work yesterday, I was stopped, in my car, by one of my Spanish friends who handed me a bunch of green leaves. Gabriel is an important member of the Spanish community in Jalón and, at our daily Almuerzo (the very important meal in between breakfast and lunch) the previous day he had brought to the table a salad to accompany our bocadillos. The farmers like to bring something locally made or grown, but this salad looked like a plate of dandelion leaves. I was intrigued to learn more and the farmers are always happy to educate me in their traditions. The leaves were actually “Lactuca Serriola” which is wild lettuce. Gabriel had collected the leaves that morning to bring to the table. He added a simple dressing of first press, olive oil and a red wine vinegar, both home made and in their natural state. The leaves are strong and peppery, not unlike ruqula or rocket, and full of essential nutrients. On their own they are rather bitter but, with the dressing and some of the home grown tomatoes and onions brought by others, it was delicious.

The farmers then got chatting about finding other things in nature and I realised they were talking about foraging.

Foraging is the act of looking for, identifying, and picking wild foods for free. This can include a wide variety of plants, from mushrooms and berries, to herbs, nuts, seeds and other edibles from the natural world.

The ancient practice of foraging for food would seem to be extinct these days. In these modern times of technology and convenience we no longer need to go out and search for our food as our ancestor hunter gatherers did. Most of us rely on the fastest and easiest way to source our everyday necessities. Supermarkets sell almost everything and nowadays, most city dwelling families, with their busy lives, do their shopping online and have it delivered. This means that there is no due diligence or thought going into the origin of our food, let alone the freshness and nutritional value. Meanwhile, our lives are more sedentary than ever before and depression is a sad fact of life.

Here at Jacaranda Spain, we are always looking for ways to encourage our friends and clients to live a more healthy, Mediterranean lifestyle. If you choose to relocate to Spain, it makes sense to embrace the culture. If you like to walk in the countryside here, you will have seen people walking with bags or armfuls of things they have collected to add to the dinner table.

Some of natures bounty here in the Vall de Pop includes; herbs like rosemary, thyme, borage, purslave, mint, sage, wild fennel. Carobs which fall from the tree at the end of summer, acorns, cardo (Thistle), wild garlic, wild asparagus, figs, persimmon, blackberries, other types of berries, olives and acorns from wild trees and many more! 

Benefits of foraging for food in nature

• Food picked fresh from the ground, the same day, is going to be more nutrient rich without harmful pesticides.
• It will contain no chemical additives or sweeteners. Nor has it been processed in any way, wrapped in plastic or canned. All of which are harmful to you and the environment.
• Foraging involves disconnecting from the stresses of everyday life, your screens and the internet, taking you back to nature and living in the moment.
• Food found in nature contains higher doses of vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants than commercially grown fruits and vegetables.
• Foraging gets you out in nature, a proven way to beat depression. Also, when you find food in nature, there is a flush of dopamine from the reward centre in the brain, which gives you pleasure and makes you feel accomplished. Scientists think that this goes back to our hunter gatherer roots.
• Foraging can build a connection to the community. When you see someone who has been foraging, ask them what they have collected and where you can find it. The local people are always happy and proud to show you even if you don´t speak the language.
• Foraging is great exercise. Walking, bending and stretching naturally, the best form of yoga. 

So, we are not suggesting a boycott of the supermarkets and a complete return to nature, but foraging is so rewarding and, if you need another reason to get out and experience the beautiful countryside here in the Vall de Pop, why not try, every time, to bring something home with you? Even if it is a sprig of rosemary or a bulb of wild garlic. If you are new to foraging, identify what you want to look for and make sure you are certain it is what you think it is. Be especially cautious with mushrooms and fungi!  Be mindful of your location. It is forbidden to pick fruit from a privately owned orchard. Although sometimes the land may look neglected and picking one orange is not an arrestable offence, filling bags and boxes is disrespectful and most certainly illegal.

Do some research, have a good look around natures supermarket and do your physical and mental health a big favour.