The fresh roots contain calcium oxalate crystals which when eaten, cause an intense burning sensation in the mouth. Wild Ginger is a jewel of the woods, newcomers are delighted when they smell and taste the ginger roots. Makes a good syrup being diaphoretic, very warming but emetic in large quantities. This is one wild flower that will grow well in the garden. The romantic Violets are familiar to everyone.
Few people are aware that the leaves of the blue flowered varieties can be made into an ointment.
Superb for cleansing old wounds, they have strong drawing-out properties. Do not pick all the leaves from a Violet plant for it is slow growing. At this time the first Dandelions are blooming. Before they bloom, harvest the leaves and eat them. Together with Violet leaves, this will be your first wild green salad - along with a handful of chives from the garden.