Written by Sammie Longhorn, Lime Wood’s resident forager

Winter in the New Forest brings a quieter, slower rhythm, where the frost-tipped trees and crisp air reveal the natural beauty of the woodland. It’s a season that invites observation, curiosity, and a closer connection to the plants around us. Our resident forager, Sammie Longhorn, takes this opportunity to share some of her favourite winter herbs, exploring not only how to identify them but also their culinary uses, medicinal benefits, and historical significance.

Pine – The Pinus family

Identification: A very tall-growing tree, up to 30m, with flaky bark. Its dark green, waxy, robust needles grow in groups of 2, 3, or 5 rather than singly from the branch. Ensure you can safely differentiate it from the deadly toxic Yew Tree.

Culinary Uses: The needles are excellent in wild-crafted drinks such as teas and syrups for cocktails. Powdered pine mixed with bicarb and icing sugar makes a wonderful pine sherbet – perfect for kids or as a cocktail rim. Pine nuts are delicious, nutrient-dense, and fantastic in pesto.

Medicinal Uses: Pine is a potent healer internally and externally. In teas and tinctures, it is packed with vitamins and antioxidants. The volatile oils in the needles are antiseptic and antiviral, making them excellent in balms and washes for wounds. Blended with ginger and honey, they make a soothing cough remedy.

Historical Associations: Pine has been cherished by ancient civilizations such as the Chinese and Egyptians. Evergreen vegetation has always symbolised immortality and potency.

Wood Avens – Geum Urbanum

Folk Names: Herb Bennet, Herba Sancta, Clove Root

Identification: This herbaceous plant is available year-round. It has a rosette of strawberry-like leaves, tiny five-petalled yellow flowers, and a distinctive spiky seed head.

Culinary Uses: While the leaves were traditionally used in soups and stews, they are considered a famine food. The root, however, is aromatic and warming, with a spiced taste that works beautifully in syrups and festive baking.

Medicinal Uses: Named Clove Root for its Eugenol content (also found in clove), it is an excellent natural pain reliever, particularly for toothache.

Historical Associations: Wood Avens roots were used by Vikings and Celtic Druids in sacred incense blends to purify and sanctify spaces before rituals and ceremonies.

Hairy Bitter Cress

Identification: A small, scruffy native herb growing in rosettes. Its round leaves climb the stem, ending in a kidney-shaped terminal leaf. Tiny white flowers and spring-loaded seed heads are characteristic.

Culinary Uses: This is a wonderfully peppery, rocket-like herb, ideal for adding a punch to salads and sandwiches.

Medicinal Uses: Hairy Bitter Cress stimulates and warms sluggish digestion. Rich in antioxidants, it helps prevent chronic illnesses.

Join Sammie on one of her upcoming foraging walks from Lime Wood into the heart of the New Forest: Foraging · Lime Wood Hotel