🌿 Foraging in May: A UK Guide to Wild Edibles & Medicinal Plants

As spring ripens into early summer, the month of May brings a forager’s paradise to life across the UK. Meadows, hedgerows, and woodlands begin to teem with vibrant greens, delicate blossoms, and emerging fungi, offering a rich source of wild medicine, nourishment, and natural remedies.

At New Forest Botanicals, we honour this seasonal bounty by foraging ethically and crafting remedies rooted in nature. In this guide, you’ll discover what to forage in May, how to use it, and which of our products are inspired by the wild plants around us.

🌱 Medicinal Herbs & Plants to Forage in May

1. Cleavers (Galium aparine)

Easily recognised by its sticky, clinging stems, cleavers are a powerful lymphatic cleanser. Traditionally used to support detoxification and clear skin, it’s best consumed fresh or powdered soon after harvest.

🍃 Try our Powdered Cleavers for daily detox support — a convenient way to harness this seasonal herb all year round.

2. Nettle (Urtica dioica)

May is prime time for nettle tops. Rich in iron, calcium, and silica, nettles act as a gentle tonic for fatigue, joint pain, and seasonal allergies.

🍵 Our wild-harvested Nettle Tea is a mineral-rich infusion that supports energy, immune health, and digestion.

3. Hawthorn Blossom (Crataegus monogyna)

These creamy-white blossoms are heart medicine — both physically and emotionally. Hawthorn helps lower blood pressure, soothe anxiety, and strengthen circulation.

4. Elderflower (Sambucus nigra)

One of May’s crown jewels, elderflowers are prized for their antiviral and anti-inflammatory benefits. They're used in teas, syrups, and tinctures for colds, flu, and allergies.

5. Plantain (Plantago major/lanceolata)

A humble but mighty herb, plantain is nature’s skin healer. It draws out infection, calms inflammation, and soothes insect bites or rashes.

🌿 Our best-selling Regen Skin Lotion contains cleavers, nettles, and plantain, making it a powerful blend for healing, calming, and nourishing skin through the seasons.

🥗 Edible Greens & Blossoms

6. Wild Garlic (Allium ursinum)

Its broad, aromatic leaves and white star-shaped flowers are unmistakable. Wild garlic is a natural antibacterial that supports heart health and digestion.

🧂 Sprinkle our Wild Garlic Salt over meals for a delicious, medicinal boost from foraged New Forest garlic.

7. Jack-by-the-Hedge (Garlic Mustard)

A mild garlic-mustard flavour perfect for salads or pestos. It’s also a traditional remedy for digestive issues and parasites.

8. Chickweed (Stellaria media)

Nutrient-rich and skin-soothing, chickweed is ideal for salads or infused into oils for eczema, itches, and minor wounds.

🍒 Blossoms & Fruits

9. Apple & Cherry Blossoms

Beyond their beauty, these edible flowers have calming, mood-lifting properties. Use in floral waters, teas, or infused vinegars.

🍄 Wild Fungi

10. Dryad’s Saddle (Polyporus squamosus)

One of the first mushrooms of spring. When young and tender, it’s edible and slightly nutty. Medicinally, it’s believed to support the immune system.

🌼 Foraging Tips for May

• ✅ Always positively ID your finds — use multiple sources if you're unsure.

• ✅ Avoid roadsides, sprayed areas, or protected species.

• ✅ Harvest responsibly: never take more than 1/3 of a patch.

• ✅ Be aware of local foraging laws and by-laws.

• ✅ Pick in dry weather for best potency and flavour.

🌿 Bring the Wild Into Your Wellness Routine

At New Forest Botanicals, our herbal offerings are crafted with respect for nature and the knowledge of generations. Whether you’re foraging yourself or prefer ready-to-use remedies, we bring the wild to your doorstep:

• 🌱 Powdered Cleavers – Lymph & skin support

• 🍵 Nettle Tea – Mineral-rich tonic

• 🌿 Regen Skin Lotion – Cleavers, Nettle & Plantain blend for radiant skin

• 🧂 Wild Garlic Salt – Flavour meets function

📥 Subscribe to our newsletter for monthly foraging tips, recipes, and exclusive product offers.📲 Follow us on socials @newforestbotanicals and tag your May finds with #ForageWithUs

Ready to explore May’s wild medicine? Let the forest be your pharmacy. 🌿