A Three-Acre Field. Just Grass and Weeds? Think Again.
At first glance, our dog-walking field might look like nothing more than grass dotted with the occasional weed. But take a closer look, and you'll find something much more exciting, medicine growing right under our feet.
This is the field we walk dogs in daily. My husband is usually the one out there, and he often tells me about the dogs self-selecting plants—sniffing, nibbling, even lying down beside certain ones. That got me curious. So I took a closer look.
Since we have exclusive access to the field and we never use pesticides or herbicides, I know it’s completely chemical-free—a perfect place to explore and forage. And what I found surprised me. I wasn’t expecting such a variety of healing plants, all in one space:
* Cow Parsley
* Hawthorn
* Oregano
* Blackberry
* Red Clover
* Plantain
* Dock Leaf
* White Dead Nettle
* Black Horehound
* Cleavers
* Dewberry
* Cranesbill
* Ivy
* Holly
* Stinging Nettle
* Mallow
* Thistle
* Dandelion
And these are just the ones I could identify as having known medicinal properties!
Here’s a very brief overview of what some of these plants can do—for dogs and for people:
🌿 Cow Parsley
Traditionally used to help with rheumatic pain, fluid retention, jaundice, and skin disorders. It supports the liver and improves circulation.
❤️ Hawthorn
Famous for its heart-supportive properties—used to strengthen the heart, improve circulation, and help regulate blood pressure.
🌱 Oregano
A strong natural antimicrobial and antioxidant. Supports digestion, fights infections, and reduces inflammation.
🍇 Blackberry
The leaves and roots are astringent and helpful for diarrhea, sore throats, and gum inflammation. The berries are antioxidant-rich. Blackberry leaf tea can even support skin health in dogs.
🌸 Red Clover
Used for skin complaints, hormone balancing, and circulation. Also helpful for respiratory issues.
🌾 Plantain
Soothing and anti-inflammatory. Great for healing wounds, insect bites, and supporting the respiratory system.
🍃 Dock Leaf
Best known for calming nettle stings, but also supports liver function and digestion with mild laxative effects.
⚪ White Dead Nettle
Anti-inflammatory and mildly astringent. Used for respiratory support, menstrual symptoms, and urinary health.
🌿 Black Horehound
Helpful for nausea, anxiety, and digestive upset. Has mild sedative and antispasmodic effects.
🍀 Cleavers
A powerful lymphatic cleanser and mild diuretic. Supports detox, reduces swelling, and aids skin healing.
🌸 Dewberry
Closely related to blackberry, with similar properties. Good for diarrhea, gum health, and is rich in antioxidants.
🌺 Cranesbill (Wild Geranium)
Astringent and anti-inflammatory. Supports gastrointestinal and urinary systems and may help with incontinence.
🌿 English Ivy
Used carefully, ivy is excellent for chesty coughs and respiratory inflammation. Also supports joint health and has antimicrobial properties.
🌲 Holly
Applied topically, it can ease joint pain and mild skin irritation. Also supports respiratory health and mild urinary issues.
🌿 Stinging Nettle
Highly nutritious and a gentle detoxifier. Great for joint pain, allergies, and inflammation.
🌸 Mallow
Soothing and demulcent—it coats and calms irritated mucous membranes in the throat and digestive tract.
🌾Thistle
Supports liver health and digestion.
🌼Dandelion
Great for liver support, digestion, and detoxification. Rich in vitamins A, C, and potassium. There's also lots of recipes online if you fancy using them in your cooking or baking.
That’s quite a list, right? All this, growing freely in our dog walking field. It really makes you wonder what we overlook every day.
If you have access to a chemical-free area, why not take a look around and see what’s growing? Offer a few safe, well-identified plants to your dog and observe—sometimes they know exactly what they need.
A Few Tips for Safe Foraging:
Know your spot: Only forage from areas you’re sure are free from chemicals and pollution (avoid field edges near roads or active farmland).
Be respectful: Never take the first plant you see—it might be the only one. Always forage sustainably.
If in doubt, leave it out: Many plants have toxic lookalikes. If you're unsure, don’t use it.
Let dogs self-select: Toxicity is all about dosage. When allowed to choose, dogs will usually take only what their body needs and leave the rest.
Nature really is the best medicine and it’s all around us if we just take the time to notice.