Don't Pull Up Those Weeds! Lawns and Gardens are an Excellent Food Source

During the summer time people desire to have beautiful lawns and gardens. They consider weed growth to be unsightly. These people spend hours doing the tiring back breaking work of pulling up weeds. Many even contaminate their soil with weed killers. Little do people know the weeds in their lawns and gardens are an excellent food source. They are enriched with essential vitamins and minerals needed to be strong and healthy. Some of the most common weeds that plague yards are dandelions, clover, mullein, and fireweed. However, news flash everyone! Don't pull up these weeds! These weeds have been found to provide many health benefits.

Dandelions
Health Benefits
During the summer dandelions, grow freely, wildly, and in abundance. It has been found to contain choline, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin C, various B vitamins, iron, magnesium, zinc, manganese, and calcium. Consuming dandelions can relieve constipation and prevent diarrhea. It can also cleanse the kidneys and regulate the digestive system. Other health benefits are it reduces the blood pressure, reduce a fever, prevents constipation, and eases the pain of rheumatism.

Consumption
The leaves of the dandelions can be cooked or used in salads. Dandelion flowers can be used to make wine and jam. The roots of dandelions can be used as a substitute for coffee. Some stores sell dandelion greens and dandelion root tea can be found in health food stores. However, they can be expensive. So why spend money when you can eat fresh dandelions from your yard.

Clover
Health Benefits
The nutritional properties found in clover are vitamin A, Vitamin C, B vitamins, calcium, chromium, iron, and magnesium. Clover is also rich in protein, amazing for a leafy green plant. Clover had been found by nutritionist to have many benefits. It can also be used to treat cold related illness such as bronchitis, whooping cough, constant cough, and sinus and nasal dripping.

Consumption
The flowers of the clover can be brewed to make tea, and they can be added to stews. The flower can be dried and added to baking, such as in carrot cake and oatmeal cookies. The dried flowers and clover leaves can be ground and as an herbal seasoning with other herbal seasonings on meat, poultry, in stews, on pizzas, and in vegetable dishes. The fresh young clover leaves can be used in salads and cooked vegetable dishes. So when it comes to cooking, the clover plant is very versatile.

Mullein
The mullein plant is another summer time weed. It is commonly seen growing on road sides and in field. Many people have seen it but do not know what it is called. So here is a brief description. Mullein is a green leafy plant. Its leaves are very soft and somewhat thick and fuzzy. They feel sort of like cotton flannel. When young the plant grows low to the ground. After two years, the plant grows into a tall stalk over eight feet long, and its leaves grow long and broad, yet they maintain their softness.

Health Benefits
Mullein has been found to contain iron, magnesium potassium, sulfur and calcium phosphate. It also has a high mucilage content and contains saponin, which makes it an excellent support for the respiratory system. It has been know to heal weak lung tissue and respiratory congestion and protect the mucous membranes. Oil can be extracted from the plant to use to treat ear aches.

Consumption
The seeds of the mullein plant should never be eaten. They have been found to contain toxins which can cause serious illness. The leaves of the plant has been found to be very bitter and very fuzzy, so eating and cooking them is not recommended. It is best to brew the plant as a tea. Lemon and honey should be added to the tea because of its bitterness.

Other Uses
The plant and its roots can be boiled, and the stock from boiling can be rubbed on the skin to treat skin conditions. The dried mullein leaves can be smoked, which would make it a healthier substitute for tobacco and marijuana. Because of the soft absorbent texture of its leaves, in the past the leaves have been used as a form of toilet paper.

Fireweed
Fireweed is a plant that grows commonly in mountainous areas, and along highways. In the pacific northwest they are often found in yards. Like the mullein it can grow very tall when left alone. It has long green narrow leaves and grows pinkish-purplish flowers.

Health Benefits
The fireweed is a good source of vitamin A and Vitamin C. It has been found to be used as a remedy for diarrhea, treat mouth ulcers, and sooth skin problems.

Consumption
Fireweed can be eaten when the plant is young. Young leaves can be used in salads and in vegetable dishes with spinach and greens. The young shoots can be steamed and eaten as a substitute to asparagus. The flowers can be eaten as well. The root of the plant can also be cooked or eaten raw. The entire fireweed plant is said to have a sweet taste which is good because everyone likes sweets. The leaves can be dried and ground to use to make a refreshing tea.

Don't be so quick to "beautify" your lawn and garden this summer. The weeds that you see can contribute to a healthy diet. So don't pull them up. Let them grow and even plant more. Water them and nurture them, pick them to eat, and enjoy summer weeds.