On a sunny early autumn day on Sept. 23, plant lovers followed herbalist, Dara Saville, around the University of New Mexico to learn all about various plants located throughout the central campus, and how those plants are used beneficially for our health and environment.
Saville is the founder and primary instructor of Albuquerque Herbalism, a herbal studies program that provides one-day specialty classes and an upcoming, in-depth semester-long course. She also serves as the founder and director of the Yerba Mansa Project, which strives to restore habitats as a community, while learning about native medicinal plants and land stewardship.
On the walk, the group learned about native, medicinal and edible plants, trees, flowers and weeds. Featured plants included roses, chasteberry, juniper, purslane and lemonade berry.
The berries found on lemonade berry plants are known to make an excellently tart lemonade, and enzymes in rose hips and rose petals are known to help to reduce inflammation in the body, Saville said.
Saville said her favorite of the common weed, purslane, is not only edible, but contains high levels of antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acid and reduces inflammation in the body.
Saville described the taste of the purslane leaves as hydrating and the texture is like a succulent crunch, she said.
“If we’re eating foods that are reducing our inflammation, they are nourishing us. They are also medicines at the same time,” Saville said. “If we’re reducing inflammation in our body by the foods we’re eating — and things we’re consuming every day — think about the beneficial cascade that puts into motion for you.”
Saville frequently arranges plant walks to share her passion and knowledge of herbalism, she said. At the walks, she is open to questions and shares insight related to plants and herbal medicine.
Lexis Lovato is a beat reporter with the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at culture@dailylobo.com or on X @lovatolexis
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