sweating Archives - The Cargo Cult Café

Did you know that insects have been used as a source of protein throughout history and are still eaten to this day in many different cultures? Like it or not, you probably have unintentionally eaten a fair share of bugs in your life. Entomophagy, or bug eating, is taboo to some but it is practiced in 80% of the worlds nations including North, Central and South America, Australia, Asia and Africa by 3,000 ethnic groups. It is estimated that there is over 1,000 species of insects known to be eaten around the world. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has registered over 1900 edible insect species.

The practice of entomophagy is somewhat broad including arthropods, arachnids, myriapods and crustaceans. Some of the most popular bugs known to be eaten are ants, crickets, cicadas, grasshoppers, beetles, beetle grubs (such as mealworms), caterpillars (tomato & tobacco hornworm), tarantulas and scorpions. These insects are even making their way into western mainstream culture. Edible insect farms and restaurants are popping up in the United States, Canada and Europe. Candy covered crickets and scorpions can even be found in the candy store.

Why are bugs being looked at as a food source once again? Simply put, the rising cost of animal protein, food and feed insecurity, environmental pressures, population growth, and an increasing demand for protein around the world.

Before you go out and start munching on some creepy crawlies there are a few things you should know. Not all bugs are edible and some are very toxic. In nearly every family of insects there are toxic species. If you are not sure about its edibility then avoid eating it. Do not gather insects feeding on trash or dung, they are likely to carry infections or parasites. Avoid insects with bright colors which are usually poisonous. Grubs found on the underside of leaves often secrete poisonous fluids, but they might just work as fish bait. Some insects have large powerful jaws or stingers so handle with care.

Here is a great resource from fix.com about edible insects, including nutrition facts, and a recipe for cricket flour:

Source: Fix.com Blog

Essential Insects & Entomophagy Videos from Plight to Freedom:

Keep your eyes and ear open and your powder dry!

Sweet Goldenrod, Solidago odora, makes a nice anise-flavored tea or you can use it as seasoning. Medicinally, it has been used as an abortifacient, antidiarrheal, cold remedy, cough medicine, to reduce fever, induce sweating and to calm the nerves among other things including making a dye.

Sweet Goldenrod Sources:

Foster, Steven and James A. Duke. The Peterson Field Guide Series; A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs of Eastern and Central North America. 2nd. ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2000. Print. pg. 139-140

Felter, Harvey Wickes, M.D., and John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D. King’s American Dispensatory, Vol. 2. Cincinnati: The Ohio Valley Company, 1905. pg. 1801-1802

Gehring, Abigail R.. Back to Basics; A Complete Guide to Traditional Skills. 3rd ed. New York: Skyhorse Publishing, Inc. 2008. Print. pg. 270-272

Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey. Cherokee Plants and Their Uses- A 400 Year History. North Carolina: Herald Publishing. 1975. Print. pg. 36

Moerman Daniel E., Native American Ethnobotany, Portland: Timber Press. 1998. Print. pg. 537

Newcomb, Lawrence. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1977. Print. pg. 448-449

Peterson, Lee Allen. The Peterson Field Guide Series; A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants; Eastern and Central North America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1977. Print. pg. 90-91

United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Services. Web.

Insects the Other Meat

Essential Insects & Entomophagy Videos from Plight to Freedom:

Sweet Goldenrod: Edible, Medicinal, Cautions & Other Uses