Ramps

First walk in the woods this spring in Ontario, I'm a happy camper. Usual spots provide the usual suspects: plenty of ramps!

This year in particular, I feel grateful to be able to have been able to return to the same land year after year. It's allowed me to relax my eagerness to see and take in everything. Instead, I feel confident on what to specifically look for. Now I can focus on finer details.

Ramps (Allium tricoccum) or wild leeks, have a pungent smell and flavour similar to that of garlic and onions. Similarly to garlic, it is also rich in sulphur compounds (allicin), which has three major health benefits:

1. Enhances immunity.

2. Lowers cholesterol.

3. It acts as a source of sulphur, allowing important hormones like DHEA (a steroid hormone that is a precursor to testosterone and estrogen) to become activated, and hormones to be balanced.

Please remember that although ramps are delicious and have wonderful health benefits, they must be respected and sustainably foraged.

Dr. Cristina Allen ND