Choose summer when local plants are in sustained leafy growth, flowering, or beginning fruit—not by a fixed month.
Being Tea Co provides education, not medical advice, treatment, or positive plant identification. Natural does not mean risk-free. Never ingest a wild plant or fungus from a photograph, app result, common name, or this website alone.
Herbs can cause allergic reactions and interact with medicines. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, childhood, surgery, seizure history, kidney or liver conditions, and other health factors can change what is appropriate. Ask a qualified clinician or pharmacist about your own situation.
Research lead—not identification, permission, or a safety clearance.
Alaska & Subarctic North
- Fireweed — Flowering plants provide the safest season for study; ordinary food context only, with no urinary-remedy claim. Safety class: Guided food use · medicinal use learn only.
- Bog Labrador tea — A bog-habitat observation lead only; blurred species boundaries and toxicity concerns mean no recipe or harvest. Safety class: Learn only · no preparation.
- Common dandelion — Leaves or flowers may continue; check bitterness, site history, and local phenology. Safety class: Guided beginner · field identification required.
- Woods’ rose hips — Observe and confirm the shrub while flowering; wait for fully colored ripe hips before harvest. Safety class: Guided beginner · field identification required.
Pacific Coast
- Fireweed — Northern and mountain populations may flower; verify the exact species and parcel and keep medicinal use learn-only. Safety class: Guided food use · medicinal use learn only.
- Common dandelion — Known clean-site leaves or flowers may be present. Safety class: Guided beginner · field identification required.
- Woods’ rose hips — Use flowering season to establish identity; fruit is not ready until fully colored. Safety class: Guided beginner · field identification required.
Interior West & Southwest
- Woods’ rose hips — Confirm Rosa woodsii while flowering and wait for fully ripe hips; elevation shifts timing. Safety class: Guided beginner · field identification required.
- Common dandelion — Only where plants remain fresh and the site is known clean. Safety class: Guided beginner · field identification required.
Great Plains & Midwest
- Canada goldenrod — A late-summer pollinator and observation lead; internal preparation is learn-only and the flowering top should remain for insects. Safety class: Learn only · no internal preparation.
- Common dandelion — Known unsprayed-site leaves or flowers may continue. Safety class: Guided beginner · field identification required.
- Stinging nettle — Young growth is preferred; skip mature, contaminated, or uncertain patches. Safety class: Guided beginner · field identification required.
Great Lakes, Northeast & Appalachia
- Canada goldenrod — An observation lead only; confirm species and distinguish toxic tansy ragwort before documenting the plant. Safety class: Learn only · no internal preparation.
- Fireweed — Northern flowering populations can be studied; medicinal preparation remains learn-only. Safety class: Guided food use · medicinal use learn only.
- Common dandelion — Known clean-site leaves or flowers may continue. Safety class: Guided beginner · field identification required.
- Stinging nettle — Young growth only; local timing and handling matter. Safety class: Guided beginner · field identification required.
Southeast & Gulf Coast
- Canada goldenrod — A learn-only late-summer observation where Solidago canadensis is locally verified; no internal preparation is published. Safety class: Learn only · no internal preparation.
Before acting on any lead
- Verify the scientific name and exact part with current regional references.
- Confirm at least three positive traits and rule out named lookalikes.
- Check current rules and obtain permission for the exact parcel.
- Exclude contaminated sites and sparse or sensitive populations.
- Review the complete profile’s interaction and preparation sections.
Being Tea Co 