Food from the forest – how plant-based emergency food can help you survive

Unforeseeable situations can arise quickly, especially during an outdoor adventure . Out in nature, far from the nearest supermarket or emergency service, you should be prepared for everything in order to be able to react quickly in emergency situations. But no matter how well you prepare for the upcoming outdoor trip, the often impassable and unfamiliar conditions and ground conditions do not allow for 100% protection.

Often, just one wrong step on a slippery root is enough for an ankle injury to be set in stone. Anyone travelling in a remote, sparsely populated area will find themselves in a dangerous emergency situation sooner than they think. At the very latest, when food supplies run low, people become aware of the precarious situation.

pantry of Mother Nature

Those who know exactly what Mother Nature 's pantry can provide have a big advantage in the aforementioned horror scenario, because almost everything you need to tide you over and survive can be found there in good quantities. Around 1800 different edible plants can be found in forests in Central Europe. The number of plants that can be found is not tied to any particular season. Even in winter, you can benefit from the plant population in an emergency situation and ensure your own survival. Even during a longer stay in nature, you can be sure that you will always find something.

When identifying and searching for plants, it is not about knowing all 1800 species by heart, but rather about knowing a handful of them perfectly. This approach is not recommended, especially because the distortion of unknown plants carries an additional risk potential. In this case, less is definitely more. Fragile, half-knowledge about 1000 plants is less valuable than being perfectly informed about a handful of plants.

The Golden Nettle

Once you have found the golden nettle , you can be sure that a large amount of this plant will be waiting for you. The tasty plant spreads extremely quickly and can become a vital plant in the field. The flowers are full of nectar and are excellent to eat, especially from April to July. In terms of taste, the plant can be described as Mother Nature's sweet treat.

Even the leaves and shoots of the plant are suitable for consumption, but you should make sure that you buy young specimens. These are easier to chew and have a more intense flavor. Above all, the numerous trace elements, vitamins and minerals make the golden nettle a first-class survival food. Calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and many other worthwhile components are just waiting to be picked.

The dandelion

Almost everyone knows dandelions , but only a few have eaten them, as you won't find them on the shelves in supermarkets. But precisely because they appear so often in forests and meadows, dandelions are a good way to ensure your own survival quickly and effectively in emergency situations.

The leaves can be eaten raw or prepared as a soup. Vitamins, bitter substances and minerals make the plant an attractive source of energy. The edible leaves can be found from April to October and even the flowers can be eaten. However, you should avoid eating too large quantities as this could have a diuretic effect.

The Violet

Perhaps so many people mistakenly consider violets to be poisonous because they come in such a bright and striking color that one would normally associate with harmful plants. But quite the opposite - the plant can be consumed in large quantities and does not harm people in any way. Whether raw or dried - the violet is always ready to eat. The plant is particularly popular with outdoor enthusiasts when prepared as a tea.

The plantain

The plantain is colloquially referred to by many as the " king of the roads " and is one of the top survival plants, and not just from a culinary perspective. The plant can also be used excellently as a wound healing agent, so you should look for this plant especially for injuries. The antibacterial properties provide quick relief and can protect against dangerous infections.

All parts of the plant can be consumed and even in winter the plantain retains its useful properties. The root of this all-rounder can be eaten all year round. The plant is an extremely useful helper and gives you, among other things, a vitamin C, carotene and vitamin K energy boost.

Chickweed

Chickweed is an excellent helper in an emergency. Calcium, magnesium, potassium and iron are all found in abundance in the wild plant. The plant's great taste is particularly worth mentioning, which could be described as sweet and extremely mild. Eating the plant is therefore by no means an insurmountable hurdle in terms of taste. Even though chickweed is not nearly as well known as lettuce, the plant, which is still unknown to many, provides significantly more nutrients. The plant can also be prepared in a delicious tea, either fresh or dried.