Health-boosting plants to forage on a summer walk.

Our hedgerows, meadows and woodland floors brim with edible and medicinal plants and flowers in summer. Herbalist and forager Maria Fernandez-Garcia picks nine to look out for – and what to do with them – on your next stroll

MEADOWSWEET

Once used to flavour mead, these fluffy flowers are found close to water, especially riverside paths. Make an anti-inflammatory syrup or cordial with the fragrant blooms.

NETTLE

In late summer, look for the female nettle seeds, which form on chunkier clusters than male seeds. Mix with rock salt to make a nutritious herbal seasoning.

CHAMOMILE

Found beside roads and paths, these apple-scented flowers have white petals around a yellow cone. Crystallise the flowers using egg white and sugar.

PLANTAIN

Brown seedheads grow above leaves that have deep, ridged veins. Find them in short grass and strip out the seeds. Use in recipes that call for seeds.

WILD ROSE

Wild rose petals are soft and gentle, in contrast to their toothed leaflets and thorny stems. Use the pink petals to make a rose-infused water for cleansing the face.

ROSEBAY WILLOWHERB Four pink petals grow on top of a tall straight stem and long lanceolate leaves show a reddish leaf base. Make a wild black tea with the leaves.

RED CLOVER

Found in open meadows and fields, pinky-purple flowerheads sit above three-lobed leaves. Use these bright flowers in a vibrant jelly to nourish the blood.

LEMON BALM

An uplifting citrus scent emerges from these toothed leaves that grow in sunny places, such as hedgerows. Infuse leaves in water to make a refreshing tea.

YARROW

Small bundles of white flowers with fern-like leaves. To make a soothing skin balm, mix yarrowinfused oil with beeswax (ratio 4:1) over a double boiler, then cool.