Nine Wildflowers to Forage, Harvest, and Enjoy This Summer
|
Time to read 5 min
Table of contents
Calendula (Calendula officinalis) Eclectic's Wild Ones: Oregon Wildcrafted Flowers Mullein St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) Yarrow Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis) Wild Rose (Rosa spp.) California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) Bee Balm (Monarda spp.) Related Readings
There’s nothing quite like gathering your own herbal allies under the summer sun. These wildflowers aren’t just beautiful—they’re packed with healing potential, waiting to be transformed into teas, tinctures, oils, and more. Whether you're walking a forest path, meandering through a meadow, or tending your own untamed garden, these nine wild blooms are ready to meet you.
Here are nine flowers to wildcraft this summer and simple ways to turn them into powerful plant remedies:
At Eclectic, we wildcraft herbs in Oregon because we believe the most potent plant medicine comes from nature’s original design — growing wild, untamed, and in harmony with the land. Oregon’s rich biodiversity, clean air, and pristine mountain ecosystems provide the ideal environment for herbs to thrive in their natural cycles. By ethically harvesting in small batches from these vibrant landscapes, we’re able to offer herbs that are not only incredibly potent, but also sustainably gathered with deep respect for the earth, the plants, and their future.
Then, we freeze-dry them at peak freshness to preserve the full spectrum of nutrients, color, and vitality — just as they exist in the wild. This gentle process allows us to capture the essence of the living plant, delivering pure, powerful herbal remedies that stay as close to nature as possible.
Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Main Benefit: Promotes skin healing and reduces inflammation.
Parts Used: Petals.
Where to Find: Garden beds, cottage gardens, and some wildflower patches.
ID Tip: Bright orange or yellow daisy-like flowers with resinous, sticky undersides on the petals.
Interesting Fact: Calendula was a sacred plant in ancient India, used in ceremonial offerings and temple garlands.
Make Skin-Soothing Balm: Infuse 1 cup calendula flowers in 1 cup olive oil for 2–4 weeks, then strain. Gently heat with 1 oz beeswax until melted, pour into tins, and let cool.
Eclectic's Wild Ones: Oregon Wildcrafted Flowers
Mullein
Main Benefit: Supports ear and respiratory health.
Parts Used: Flowers, leaves.
Where to Find: Open fields and disturbed soils.
ID Tip: Look for tall stalks (up to 6 feet) with fuzzy, soft leaves and small yellow flowers.
Interesting Fact: Mullein torches were once made by dipping the dried stalks in wax and lighting them as ceremonial candles.
Make Ear Oil: Gently warm fresh mullein flowers in olive oil over low heat for 2–3 hours, then strain. Store in a dropper bottle and use a few drops for ear discomfort.
St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
Main Benefit: Soothes nerve pain and nourishes the skin.
Parts Used: Flowering tops.
Where to Find: Sunny hillsides, pastures, and gravel paths.
ID Tip: Yellow star-shaped flowers with black dots on the petals and perforated leaves (hold up to light to see tiny holes).
Interesting Fact: Traditionally harvested on St. John’s Day (June 24), it was believed to ward off evil spirits and offer protection.
Make Sun-Infused Oil: Infuse fresh flowering tops in olive oil in a sunny window for 2–3 weeks until the oil turns red. Use for sore muscles, nerve pain, or sunburn.
Yarrow
Main Benefit: Promotes wound healing and regulates circulation.
Parts Used: Flowers, leaves.
Where to Find: Meadows and disturbed grassy areas.
ID Tip: Fern-like, aromatic leaves with clusters of tiny white or pale pink flowers in flat-topped heads.
Interesting Fact: Yarrow was carried by soldiers in the Civil War to stop bleeding and was known as "nosebleed plant" in folk traditions.
Make First-Aid Tincture: Tincture fresh flowers and leaves in alcohol for 4 weeks. Use topically on cuts or internally (in small doses) to support circulation.
Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis)
Main Benefit: Supports skin and hormonal balance.
Parts Used: Flowers, seeds, leaves.
Where to Find: Sandy soils and open meadows.
ID Tip: Tall stems with yellow, cup-shaped flowers that open at dusk and close by morning.
Interesting Fact: The seeds were traditionally pressed for oil, rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), known for supporting hormonal balance.
Make Flower Salad Garnish: Gently rinse and toss the fresh petals into summer salads just before serving for a splash of color and subtle sweetness.
Wild Rose (Rosa spp.)
Main Benefit: Soothes the heart and uplifts mood.
Parts Used: Petals, hips.
Where to Find: Hedgerows, forest edges, and wild meadows.
ID Tip: Look for five-petaled pink blooms with a delicate, classic rose scent and thorny stems.
Interesting Fact: Wild rose petals have been used since antiquity in skincare, and rose hips are one of the richest plant sources of vitamin C.
Make Rose-Infused Sugar: Layer fresh rose petals with organic sugar in a jar. Let sit for 1–2 weeks, then sift out the petals. Use the sugar in teas, baking, or scrubs.
California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)
Main Benefit: Calms the nervous system and supports sleep.
Parts Used: Flowering tops.
Where to Find: Sunny slopes and open fields in the western U.S.
ID Tip: Silky, cup-shaped orange flowers with finely divided, feathery bluish-green leaves.
Interesting Fact: Spanish explorers called it "copa de oro" (cup of gold), and it was once used by Indigenous peoples for toothaches and relaxation.
Make a Calming Tincture: Tincture fresh flowering tops in high-proof alcohol for 4–6 weeks. Take a few drops in water for nervous system support.
Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)
Main Benefit: Supports detoxification and hormonal balance.
Parts Used: Flowers.
Where to Find: Pastures, meadows, and grassy clearings.
ID Tip: Round, pink to purplish flower heads with trifoliate leaves often marked with a pale chevron.
Interesting Fact: Red clover has been used for centuries in European folk medicine as a blood purifier and tonic.
Make Herbal Tea: Dry the flower heads and steep 1–2 tsp in hot water for 10 minutes. Drink to support detox and hormone balance.
Bee Balm (Monarda spp.)
Main Benefit: Digestive and antimicrobial support.
Parts Used: Flowers, leaves.
Where to Find: Meadows, woodland edges, and sunny garden beds.
ID Tip: Recognizable by its shaggy, tubular petals in pink, red, or purple and its minty scent.
Interesting Fact: Indigenous peoples used bee balm as a tea for colds and to soothe digestive discomfort.
Make Floral Pickles: Add fresh bee balm petals to a jar of sliced cucumbers, garlic, dill, and a salt brine. Ferment for 3–5 days for a zesty herbal pickle.
At Eclectic, we wildcraft our St. John's Wort from the pristine foothills of Mt. Hood, where they grow freely in their native ecosystem — vibrant, mineral-rich, and untouched by cultivation. Each harvest is done with deep respect for the land, following ethical wildcrafting practices that protect native plant populations and preserve the natural balance of the environment.
We choose freeze-drying because it’s the most sustainable and effective way to preserve the full integrity of the plant — no heat, no chemicals, and no compromise. This gentle, earth-friendly process captures the benefits of St. John's Wort in their purest state, keeping them as fresh, potent, and nourishing as if they were still growing wild out in the sunshine.
The Author: Christine Alstat
Meet Christine Alstat, an internationally acclaimed naturopath and herbalist of Japanese heritage, whose profound expertise in plants and natural health has garnered recognition worldwide. As the dedicated owner of Eclectic Herb, Christine seamlessly intertwines her deep-rooted commitment to the Earth with her business, cultivating a space where her passion for plants is ever in full bloom. Her influential voice on herbal wisdom resonates across the globe through publications and panels, reflecting a lifetime commitment to nurturing both the plant kingdom and the earth.
