Tuesday, September 2, 2025

Polaris of Enlightenment

Spring greens from the Nordic pantry

Published 18 May 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Wood sorrel takes many Swedes back to childhood.
8 minute read

Many people remember the sour taste of wood sorrel, or how dewdrops filled the grass on the lawn in the morning, but over the years they have forgotten that these plants are actually edible. In the forest, on the lawn, and even in the city, there are lots of herbs and other plants that can be eaten during the green season in spring.

However, it is important to remember that Nordic plants can often be poisonous, so you should never eat anything you are unsure about.

The darkness is receding and light is returning to the Swedish landscape. With light, sun, and more warmth, the earth is slowly thawing and the leaves are spreading their buds. The green leaves are not only a delight that brings spring feelings, but also contain a lot of edible plants. In Sweden, there is plenty to eat in nature besides the well-known lingonberries and the wide variety of mushrooms that attract people to the forest. There are also weeds, trees, bushes, and flowers. In this article, we take a look at some of the edible herbs and leaves of spring.

In Sweden, the forest is there for everyone through the right of public access, but you should always respect both the landowner and nature. For some things, such as trees, you need the landowner’s permission to pick, and you should not pick more than you will use. It is also important to think carefully when you are in the forest, as it is easy to get lost.

Many edible plants are found not only in forests but also in cities, but you should always avoid picking them along roads due to exhaust fumes. If necessary, you can use Stans Flora to learn how to recognize different plants. It is important to remember never to eat anything you are not sure about, as there are many poisonous plants in Sweden that can have disastrous consequences if ingested. Read up, look carefully, and never guess.

Blueberry leaves (Vaccinium myrtillus)

Harvest: May to June

Most people know that blueberries are edible, but not everyone knows that the leaves are edible too. Blueberries themselves are very healthy, but the leaves also have many beneficial qualities. Among other things, they contain flavonoids, which act as effective antioxidants, as well as neomyrtelin, which is said to be good for type 2 diabetes, according to Läkeörter.se. The leaves contain vitamin C and chromium.

The best way to use blueberry leaves is to make a decoction, i.e., tea. Fresh leaves are perfectly fine to use, but you can also dry them and use them during the winter. Blueberry leaf tea is said to counteract diarrhea and stomach problems, as well as have blood sugar-lowering properties and be good for urinary tract problems.

Pick the leaves before the berries appear. Photo: Ann-Sophie Qvarnström/Public Domain

Shepherd’s purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris)

Harvested: April to November

The plant has a slender stem with white flowers and grows in meadows. Along the stalk there are fruit pods that are slightly heart-shaped. It is one of the most common weeds and is found throughout Sweden, except in the mountains.

You can eat the whole plant, except the root. It is said that the shepherd’s purse was already used as food in the Stone Age.

The fruit pods in particular have a taste reminiscent of ginger and mustard. The young leaves can be used in salads, or they can be dried and used later in cooking. One tip is to make spiced butter from the unripe fruit pods.

The shepherd’s purse is said to have a hemostatic, bactericidal, anti-inflammatory and vasoconstrictive effect, making it effective in wound care. It can be dried and powdered, for example, and then used and sprinkled directly on wounds to stop bleeding.

It is also high in iron, calcium, vitamin K and vitamin C. It can be confused with the field pennycress, but it is also edible. It is also said to have been used against chills in the past.

Avoid eating it during pregnancy and if you have problems with kidney stones or kidney disease.

Shepherd’s purse. Photo: Andreas Rockstein/CC BY-SA 2.0

Wood sorrel (Oxalis acetosella)

Harvested: April to October

This classic herb likes to grow in wetter woods and has three heart-shaped leaves that resemble clover. Both flowers and leaves can be eaten. Its flowers, however, are similar to those of wood anemone, which is poisonous to eat, but the difference is that wood anemone flowers have white seed stalks and pink veins. Both also flower around the same time in May. So look carefully to make sure it’s not an accidentally picked-up wood anemone, especially if children are around.

The wood sorrel is often called the barometer of the forest because it sheds its leaves when it rains.

The herb has a sour taste, which comes from the poison oxalic acid. However, eating foods with oxalic acid is not toxic, but you should not eat large amounts (which is difficult to do with resin acid). If you suffer from kidney stones, you should not eat anything with oxalic acid in it. The acidic taste is suitable as a flavor enhancer in sauces or salads, for example. It is also good in desserts or mixed in water for a mealtime drink. Or why not go for a snack on your walk?

It grows throughout Sweden, except in northernmost Norrland.

Wood sorrel. Photo: Tero Karppinen/CC BY 2.0

Lady’s mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris)

Harvested: May to July

Perhaps as a child you used to pick lady’s mantle from the lawn and drink the morning dew that collected, if nothing else, the common plant is probably recognized by most people. It is found throughout Sweden and is common, in addition to lawns, also in meadows. It can also be found in the forest.

The leaves are bowl-shaped and it has small yellow-green flowers.

The name Alchemilla comes from the belief that the water droplet formed in the plant’s bowl was an important ingredient for alchemists.

Traditionally, the plant has been used as a medicinal herb and is said to be good to drink during pregnancy. It is also said to have been used after childbirth as the tannins in the plant can help tighten the skin, so it has also been used as a compress for wound healing. For this reason, it is also said to be beneficial to drink lady’s mantle decoction during heavy menstruation.

It has also been called “a woman’s best friend” as it is said to be good for facilitating regular menstruation and also relieving menopausal symptoms.

It also contains essential oils and saponins, which together with the tannins can prevent chapped skin.

Both leaves and flowers can be eaten. Cut off the leaves at the base and the plant will continue to grow. Dry and use as a tea, or as a salad topper. Make a decoction and then use as an astringent toner.

Lady’s mantle. Photo: Alexandre Dulaunoy/CC BY-SA 2.0

Birch leaves (Betula spp.)

Harvested: May to June

The white-black tree is easy to recognize. In spring, the leaves start to bud on the tree and this is when they are best to pick. Birch leaves are useful both internally and externally.

Birch leaves have long been used to give the body an extra boost after winter. The leaves can be used as a tea and provide a range of benefits to the body. Among other things, they are said to be high in vitamin C, but also to help support the kidneys and clear waste products from the body. The leaves are also said to be anti-viral and anti-inflammatory, and good for rheumatism.

Furthermore, you can also make an infusion of the leaves and use it as a toner, which is supposed to help clearer skin. It is also said to be good for eczema. Why not take a bath with birch leaves to benefit the whole body?

If you want to try a natural shampoo or household cleanser, mix a liter of water with a deciliter of fresh leaves. Leave for 24 hours, stirring occasionally. After that, you can strain the leaves and it should have created a form of soap. You can use this for your hair or to scrub with.

Photo: Bengt Littorin/ CC BY 2.0

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) and whitetop (Lamium album)

Harvested: March to August

Stinging nettle is found throughout Sweden, grows a little everywhere and should be picked with gloves because it burns. It can be picked as a shoot but also as a fully grown plant.

The plant is very rich in vitamin C and is relatively rich in protein. It also contains iron, calcium, phosphorus, silicon, manganese and sulphur.

However, do not pick stinging nettles on nitrogen-fertilized soil or near manure gardens. Nettles have the ability to store nitrates which can be harmful to eat in large quantities.

It can be used as spinach in hot dishes and can also be dried and used as tea. The seed pods can also be picked and dried, which can be added to muesli for extra energy. Nettle soup is also a popular dish.

The white dead-nettle is very similar to the stinging nettle, except that it has white or red flowers (red thistle). However, it has no stinging hairs. It’s also a very common plant and you can eat both its leaves and flowers. Making tea from the flowers is said to be particularly good and tastes sweet and toffee-like. It is common for children to suck nectar from the flowers.

Stinging nettle and white dead-nettle. Photo: Andreas Rockstein/CC BY-SA 2.0

Water avens (Geum rivale)

Harvested: April to October

The herb is said to have gotten its Swedish name humleblomster (bumblebee flower) because the flower mimics the hindquarters of a bumblebee. The flower grows throughout the country and is part of the Dianthus genus, which means it can be confused with carnation, which is not poisonous. Carnation, on the other hand, has yellow flowers, while hop flowers are more purple-brown in color. It usually grows in wetter areas. The root, which is best picked in spring, has a sweetish flavor and can be used to make a chocolatey drink by peeling the root and placing it in a saucepan filled with water. Bring to the boil, then remove from the pan and leave to stand for 20 to 30 minutes, then strain out the roots and add sugar and hot milk. The shoots can be eaten fresh and the flowers are great for decorating salads, for example. The leaves can be added to a soup or used in stews.

Traditionally, a decoction of the root has been used internally for chills, fever, diarrhea, and intestinal and stomach issues. Externally, it has been used to treat various skin conditions such as blotchy skin, acne, and freckles. In folk medicine, the root has also been used for its anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and astringent properties.

Water avens. Photo:Thibault Lefort/Public Domain

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Discover autumn’s edible plants

Published 31 August 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Even in autumn there are plenty of edible plants to pick.
5 minute read

Despite the end of summer, there is still plenty to pick when it comes to edible plants. Heather grows in the forest, which according to Swedish folklore should not be brought into the home, but which can be effective against gastritis. A common lawn weed that grows in the autumn also contains a lot of nutrients.

As summer turns to autumn, much of the Swedish vegetation begins to wither as the heat fades. However, there are a lot of herbs and other plants that grow into autumn, and also a lot to pick all year round in both forests and fields.


The article was originally published in The Nordic Times on September 14, 2024.


Sweden’s “right of public access” (allemansrätten) allows people to pick many plants, mushrooms and berries in the country’s forests and fields. Remember, however, that one needs the landowner’s permission to pick the fruits of trees and certain other plants. Also, never pick more than you need, and remember that many plants are food for other animals.

One thing that is always important is to never eat anything you are unsure about, as many of the country’s plants can actually be very poisonous.

Chickweed (Stellaria media)

Harvested: All year round

This herb is a very common weed and grows mainly in gardens throughout the country. It grows in large stands and has egg-shaped leaves with small white flowers. It can also be recognized by the hairs on one side of the stem. In Sweden, it is the most common herbaceous weed.

It has many different names, but is most commonly called chickweed because it is often eaten by birds. It is also called fat grass and reed grass.

You can eat its leaves, flowers, shoots and stems. It is rich in carbohydrates and protein with a good amino acid composition. The herb also has a high content of ascorbic acid, i.e. vitamin C. The leaves also contain minerals and trace elements such as calcium, potassium, phosphorus, copper, magnesium, iron and zinc. It is also said to be rich in antioxidants. In short, it has a high nutritional content compared to other green plants.

The plant is often used raw in salads where you can mix in the whole plant, flowers and all. It is also said to be great for making pesto. The flavor is described as mild, grassy and spinachy. It is best to cut the tops and avoid getting the slightly coarser parts of the stalk further down. It should also be good to fry in butter and then flavor with salt, lemon and nutmeg.

The chickweed is said to be expectorant and therefore good for coughs. It has also been used to treat rheumatic pain, kidney problems, hemorrhoids and asthma. It is also said to have been used in folk medicine to bandage wounds. The leaves also have a moisturizing mucilage that makes it effective against sunburn or eczema, for example.

Chickweed. Photo: Harry Rose/CC BY 2.0

Hairy bittercress (Cardamine hirsuta)

Harvested: March to November

This herb, often considered a weed, grows along the coastal strip up to the central parts of Sweden. It grows in various places such as forest edges, rock outcrops and gravel fields. It flowers in spring, but continues to grow until November. It is paired at the base and then has up to seven pairs of small leaves, as well as some hairy stem leaves and white flowers. It can be easily confused with other brambles, but all in the genus are edible.

The flavor is mildly peppery and you can eat the leaves, flowers, seeds and shoots. It can be used raw in salads, but also in soups or stews. However, it can lose some of its flavor if cooked, so it’s best to add it towards the end. The seeds can be used as a spice.

It contains some carbohydrates and proteins, but also potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc. It is also said to have antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and antioxidant properties.

Traditionally, it has been used for inflamed hemorrhoids, coughs, whooping cough and indigestion. It is also used to make a paste that can be applied to wounds.

Hairy bittercress. Photo: Andreas Rockstein/CC BY-SA 2.0

Heather (Calluna vulgaris)

Harvested: July to October

Autumn heather, as it can also be called, is a dwarf shrub found throughout the country. It often grows in poor soil on moors, in sparse forests, pine bogs and rocky ground. Heather grows to a height of between 20 and 80 centimeters, has coniferous leaves and light purple flowers. It can be confused with the bell heather, but it has urn-shaped flowers instead.

Heather is a common decorative plant, especially in autumn and winter. It is also the landscape flower of Västergötland.

According to Skogsskafferiet, you can eat the stem, flower and leaves of heather. The plant is mainly used as a herbal tea, which is said to have a calming and anaesthetic effect. It is also said to be effective against gastritis, in which case the tea should be taken 30 minutes before meals. Traditionally, heather has also been used for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It is also said to be used to make an infusion of heather and to bathe wounds. Drinking heather tea can also provide relief from urinary tract infections.

The name “Calluna” comes from the Greek kallyno, meaning “to beautify”. According to Swedish folklore, however, it was not a good idea to bring heather into the home as an ornament, writes Sydved. It could lead to both poverty and death, according to the saying: “Pick heather – die young”. On the other hand, the seeds could be used to enrich flour and the roots were used to make baskets. The plant is also said to have been used for coloring yellow and brown.

Heather. Photo: Tero Karppinen/CC BY 2.0

 

Daisy (Bellis perennis)

Harvested: March to November

It grows on many lawns and pastures, but mainly in southern and central Sweden. They flower almost all year round. The flowers are usually white, but sometimes with pink radius and yellow disk floret.There are also several cultivated varieties in different colors, but the most common is red.

They resemble ox-eye daisies (leucanthemum vulgaris) commonly known as prästkrage in Sweden, but are smaller in size. Daisies also grow closer to the ground and often form “carpets” of flowers, while ox-eye daisies often grow higher up with one flower per stem.

Both flowers and leaves are edible. They can be used in salads and the flowers can be sprinkled on any dish. The flower petals can also be used as sprinkles or instead of coconut on chocolate balls.

In folk medicine, it has been used to treat fever and as an expectorant for coughs. It has also been used to treat eczema and fungus. The stems contain a sap that is said to have been effective against pimples.

The daisy. Montage. Foto: New York State IPM Program at Cornell University, Conall/CC BY 2.0

The best seasonal produce to enjoy in August

Published 17 August 2025
– By Editorial Staff
3 minute read

Summer is slowly coming to an end – but in August, both gardens and nature are flourishing. Now everything from apples and zucchini to chanterelles and blueberries is being harvested, and it’s now that many ingredients are at their very best.

August is the prime harvest month in Northern Europe – gardens, allotments, and forest edges are overflowing with fruit, vegetables, and berries. This is when flavors peak, as produce has had time to ripen naturally under the long summer days. Here are some of the nutritious foods harvested across Northern Europe in August.

Apples

Some apples can usually be harvested in August. Among others, the varieties Discovery, Alice, Transparente Blanche, according to ICA (Swedish grocery chain). Sure, it’s nice to buy Swedish apples in the store, but if a neighbor or friend has an apple tree, maybe it’s worth asking if it’s okay to pick some without extra detours…

Cabbage varieties

Cabbage can easily be attacked by pests during cultivation, but if you’ve managed to avoid them, it’s now that you can usually harvest many cabbage varieties. Broccoli and cauliflower are, for example, nutrient-dense vegetables that can be harvested in August. Broccoli contains more vitamin C, vitamin K, protein, iron and calcium compared to cauliflower, but both are good sources of fiber and also B vitamins.

August is also the main time you can find locally grown fennel in stores. It’s a crisp vegetable with a distinctive anise and licorice flavor, used both raw and cooked. Try it thinly sliced in salads or roasted in the oven. Fennel seeds are also a common bread spice.

Also, among others, white cabbage, black kale, napa cabbage and pointed cabbage are usually harvested in August.

Cucumber

The long cucumber is a popular greenhouse crop in Northern Europe, often eaten raw in salads or on sandwiches. Smaller pickling cucumbers are also common for preserves. Since cucumbers are very frost-sensitive, August is prime harvest time.

Zucchini

Zucchini can often be harvested as early as July, but in August the plants usually produce an abundance. It’s an excellent cooking vegetable, perfect for dishes like lasagna. Zucchini is rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Cherries

Right now cherries are growing in large numbers in gardens across Northern Europe, notes among others the magazine Land (Swedish agricultural publication). However, they are not sold on a large scale in stores, but even in these cases it can pay off to check with the neighbor if it’s okay to pick a handful or two since they in many cases otherwise remain unpicked. In the refrigerator, the berries can keep for several weeks. Cherries are rich in antioxidants and also contain some vitamin C as well as potassium.

Radish and celery

The root vegetable daikon radish (similar to large radishes) can be used in all types of cooking, from stews to oven-roasted dishes. It’s also a key ingredient in the fermented Korean dish kimchi. Celery is also harvested in August, rich in vitamins and minerals, and tasty both raw and cooked.

Out in the forest…

It’s not only gardens that provide Northern Europe’s seasonal produce – nature offers treasures too. Right now is peak season for golden chanterelles, and wild raspberries can also be harvested (just watch out for larvae that sometimes hide in ripe berries). It’s also the season for the northern delicacy cloudberries, and of course, blueberries.

New study of national park: Wolves helped nature recover

Biodiversity

Published 17 August 2025
– By Editorial Staff
A wolf in Yellowstone National Park during 2016.
2 minute read

The return of wolves to Yellowstone National Park has contributed to an ecological recovery after decades of damage to plant and animal life. Now a new study shows that the park’s aspen populations are finally beginning to reestablish themselves – apparently thanks to the predator’s impact on the ecosystem.

During the 1930s, wolves were completely eradicated from Yellowstone National Park in the Rocky Mountains of the United States. This had major consequences for the ecosystem – as the deer population increased dramatically and began grazing intensively in the park. This led to a sharp decline in trees like aspens. Aspen is considered a keystone species in the park, and its decline affected other species that depend on the deciduous trees, including beavers, insects and birds.

In the 1990s, wolves were reintroduced to the park, which immediately changed the deer’s behavior – not only by taking some as prey, but primarily by causing the deer to stop grazing for long periods in the same places. The result was that vegetation recovered, which has had a major effect on biodiversity.

Remarkable change

Now researchers have documented the first new generation of aspens in the park. In the study, which was published in Forest Ecology and Management, researchers argue that the wolf’s return has contributed to the species’ recovery.

The reintroduction of large carnivores has initiated a recovery process that had been shut down for decades, says the study’s lead author Luke Painter, who teaches ecology and conservation at OSU College of Agricultural Sciences, in a press release. About a third of the 87 aspen stands we examined had large numbers of tall saplings throughout, a remarkable change from the 1990s when surveys found none at all.

Another third of the examined stands had areas with tall saplings that were growing up to become new trees in the canopy layer, while the rest were still being held back by grazing. Researchers believe this may be due to bison increasing in certain parts of the park. The fact that stands with many tall saplings have low levels of grazing, while others continue to be held back, suggests that aspen recovery depends on an ecological chain reaction where predators affect plant life by reducing the number of grazing animals – rather than on factors like climate or soil fertility.

This is a remarkable case of ecological restoration, says Painter. Wolf reintroduction is yielding long-term ecological changes contributing to increased biodiversity and habitat diversity.

Radioactive method ready for use against poaching

Biodiversity

Published 11 August 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Rhinos are being injected with radioactive material.
2 minute read

After an extended testing period, the Rhisotope project in South Africa is now in full operation. The technology, which makes rhino horns both traceable and unattractive to poachers, can now be used on a large scale.

It was in June last year that researchers injected radioactive material into the horns of 20 rhinos in South Africa. The project, called the Rhisotope Project and led by the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits University) in South Africa, began six years ago with the idea of stopping poaching of the endangered rhinos. The concept was that the radioactive material should be detectable at border controls, but also becomes toxic to consume. Furthermore, the radioactive material should be harmless to the rhinos.

Now the project has been thoroughly tested and reached full operational status, writes Wits University in a press release.

We have demonstrated, beyond scientific doubt, that the process is completely safe for the animal and effective in making the horn detectable through international customs nuclear security systems, says James Larkin, professor at Wits University and scientific director of the Rhisotope Project.

Sold as “medicine”

Rhino poaching is a recurring problem, particularly in South Africa. Last year, 420 rhinos were killed illegally in the country, where the horns often end up on the black market. They are often sold as medicine and can be worth more than gold. The treatment is carried out by sedating the rhino and then drilling a small hole in its horn. Two small isotopes with radioactive material are then inserted.

This means in practice that private and public rhino owners, non-governmental organizations and conservation authorities can contact the Rhisotope Project to treat their rhinos with the radioactive material.

Our goal is to deploy the Rhisotope technology at scale to help protect one of Africa’s most iconic and threatened species. By doing so, we safeguard not just rhinos but a vital part of our natural heritage, says Jessica Babich, CEO of the Rhisotope Project.

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