"One is tempted to say that the most human plants, after all, are the weeds." -- John Burroughs
Summer is here, my friends! It's a time to celebrate. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and flowers are in full bloom creating a kaleidoscope of colors.
My gardens are going crazy this year. I've got spinach leaves about twice the size of my palms and my squash plants look like they belong in a jungle. It is such a joy to have an abundance of fresh, organic produce for my green smoothies every morning.
I've also been foraging in my own backyard and nearby hiking trails for wild edibles. Yes, most of those pesky weeds, are in fact, medicinal plants! Foraging for these wild gems is a great way to add variety to your diet. It's an amazing and empowering feeling to walk around and pick a weed or a flower and eat it. It really doesn't get much fresher than that! Here are a few "weeds" growing in my backyard. Maybe you can identify some of these in your area. Please keep in mind, however, that if you're not sure about something, DON'T EAT IT! Some things could be poisonous and it is better to be safe than sorry. There are plenty of books available on how to identify these plants or take an herb walk class in your area. You will be pleased to know there is plenty of FREE and nutritious food growing all around.
Dandelion - Every part of this delicious little plant is edible. Known as a powerful detoxifyer. It has been know to help with:- Constipation
- Acne
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
- Arthritis
- Edema (swollen ankles)
- Osteoarthritis
- Gout
- Gallstones
- High blood pressure
- Digestion problems
According to the USDA Bulletin #8, "Composition of Foods" (Haytowitz and Matthews 1984), dandelions rank in the top 4 green vegetables in overall nutritional value. Minnich, in "Gardening for Better Nutrition" ranks them, out of all vegetables, including grains, seeds and greens, as tied for 9th best. According to these data, dandelions are nature's richest green vegetable source of beta-carotene, from which Vitamin A is created, and the third richest source of Vitamin A of all foods, after cod-liver oil and beef liver! They also are particularly rich in fiber, potassium, iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and the B vitamins, thiamine and riboflavin, and are a good source of protein.
I like to use the young leaves in a salad or smoothie. The larger leaves are more bitter. I usually saute them with a little garlic and onion.
You can also make dandelion wine, tinctures, vinegar, salves, dandelion honey or dry it and use it in teas or soups. I recently made a batch or dandelion vinegar. Good remedy for digestion.
Mallow - Leaves, flowers and roots of this common little plant are edible. The leaves, dark-green and coarse, are a powerhouse of minerals and vitamins (calcium, iron, vitamin C, copper traces and more) and an abundant, free source of organic nutrition. Mallow makes a good demulcent tea for coughs, hoarseness, bronchitis, inflammation of the larynx and tonsils, and irritation of the respiratory passages. It can also be taken for laryngitis, emphysema, and lung mucus. Externally, a decoction can be used to wash wounds and sores. Make a poultice of the herb to soothe irritations and inflammations.
Purslane - This one is my favorite. It grows all over my lawn. I stopped using a gas lawn mower so I could pick and eat these without worrying about toxic gas fumes. Puslane is one of the richest sources of omega fatty acids you can eat. Purslane just happens to contain alpha-linolenic acid, one of the highly sought-after Omega-3 fatty acids. Why pay money for fish oil when you can grow your own Omega-3 fatty acids as part of your edible landscaping? Purslane is also a rich source of vit. C, A and some B complex vitamins. It houses and abundance of minerals. This succulant little plant is a powerhouse of nutrients! It can be used fresh in salads and smoothies or cooked into soups or stir-fry. It is super delicious!
Horsetail -The mineral rich hair, skin and nail herb. Contains the highest amount of silica of any plant. Silica forms collagen, a protein found in the skin, bones, cartilage, ligaments and connective tissues. Silica also helps bind protein molecules to many tissues in the body. The silica content helps strengthen weak, brittle, damaged hair, giving it vitality and shine with regular use. Also said to help stop tooth decay. I ingested a teaspoon of powdered horsetail daily for two weeks (as per my herb teacher) and successfully got rid of a cavity! Also great for achy knees and joints! Make into a tea or tincture (more on how to tincture later). Horsetail is usually found around streams or lakes.
Milk thistle - most people are familiar with this herb as a remedy for liver and gall bladder problems. The active ingredient -- the one that protects the liver -- in milk thistle is known as silymarin. Silymarin is actually a group of flavonoids (silibinin, silidianin, and silicristin), which are thought to help repair liver cells damaged by alcohol and other toxic substances. Silymarin also keeps new liver cells from being destroyed by these same toxins. It reduces inflammation (which is why it is often suggested for people with liver inflammation or hepatitis), and is a strong antioxidant.
I like it best as a tea or tincture. Sometimes I grind up the seeds and add them to my smoothies or salads.
Last year I missed milk thistle harvest as I had none in my backyard. I was a little disappointed. This year, a volunteer milk thistle has blessed my garden. Ask and ye shall receive!
Mullein - a fine medicinal for the lungs, even when you smoke it. It soothes inflamed or infected lungs, and prevents coughing until infection or inflammation is broken. Then it aids in expectoration, helping to break up congestion and promote "effective" coughing. It was smoked to stop the coughing of tuberculosis years ago. It is wonderful for any kind of lung cleansing. Very gentle and non-toxic, you can use it anytime.
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| Mullein drying in my sunroom |
Plantain - I know when I first heard of this herb, I envisioned a banana! But the common plantain is a small wild plant with leaves that grow mostly from the plant's bottom. It is found growing naturally in the lawns, and backyards and along the roads. Among its many qualities, the common plantain is popular as a healer of wounds and injuries as well as a remedy for most poisons. In addition, the herb is known as a ‘body purifier’ and cleans the system of heat, congestion as well as all toxic elements. It is also a good remedy to stop bleeding. If you're ever out in the woods and you get a cut, find some plantain and slap it on there. It should stop the bleeding quickly.
It can be used fresh in juices and smoothies, or made into a tincture, poultice, ointment or syrup.
Watercress - I was so excited when I found this spicy little plant growing by a nearby spring where I love to hike. I recently learned from a friend of mine that owns the Medicine Tea House here in Taos, that watercress is the highest in zinc of all the plant kingdom. She uses it in an herbal tea remedy that contains herbs with all your vitamins and minerals from A to Z. She said watercress is so precious b/c it is hard to find a substitute for it's zinc content. I usually make this into a soup or salad as it is a little to spicy for my taste for smoothies.
Lamb's Quarters - Great source of minerals. I grew up eating this weed. We knew it as wild spinach or calites. I like it best sauted with garlic and onions.
Scarlet Globemallow or Yerba de la Negrita - One of the most popular herbs used by Native Americans for washing and conditioning hair. I have been using it to make a hair oil to promote growth and enhance shine. I also made a vinegar to use as a hair rinse.
I'm curious... what wild herbs do you have growing in your backyard? How do you use them?
I will soon post recipes on how to use these herbs. I will also show you how to save money by making your own tinctures, vinegars and salves.
