Attending a live herbal foraging walk with El Ha Gahn
by Bayativa Charlette Deas
Attending a live herbal foraging walk with El Ha Gahn was a truly eye-opening experience. The event took place on a sunny afternoon in the heart of a lush forest, with towering trees, babbling brooks, and the sweet chirping of birds serving as the backdrop for the adventure that lay ahead.
As we gathered around El Ha Gahn, he greeted us with a warm smile and introduced himself as a herbalist and forager with years of experience in working with plants and herbs in their natural environment. He started by sharing some basic guidelines for foraging, such as staying on the trail, respecting the ecosystem, and taking only what we needed.
We then set off into the forest, with El Ha Gahn leading the way, pointing out different plants and explaining their uses, both medicinal and culinary. He showed us how to identify different types of plants and herbs, such as wild mint, yarrow, and nettle, and shared fascinating tidbits about their history, properties, and benefits.
One of the most memorable moments of the walk was when we stumbled upon a patch of wild garlic. El Ha Gahn explained how to properly harvest the garlic, taking only a few bulbs from each patch so as not to damage the rest of the plants, and showed us how to prepare a simple garlic seasoning using the freshly picked leaves.
Throughout the walk, El Ha Gahn encouraged us to use all of our senses to fully experience the forest and the plants within it. We touched the rough bark of trees, felt the softness of different leaves, smelled the sweet fragrance of wildflowers, and tasted the sharp tang of wild sorrel.
As the walk came to an end, El Ha Gahn led us back to our starting point, where we sat in a circle and shared our experiences and impressions. We exchanged tips and recipes, and El Ha Gahn answered our questions about the different plants we had encountered.
Attending a live herbal foraging walk with El Ha Gahn was a wonderful way to connect with nature, learn about the incredible world of plants and herbs, and meet like-minded individuals who shared a passion for the environment and sustainable living. It was a truly unforgettable experience that I would highly recommend to anyone interested in exploring the natural world around them.