Get Rid of Those Pesky Weeds and Heal Your Body

There is a good chances that every spring you find yourself wanting to pull your hair out, when you see all the weed that have made their way across your beautiful landscape. Instead of screaming and running to the store to get pesticides, learn to find the joy in your unintentional herb garden.

Dandelion (taraxacum officinale)

Parts Used: Leaf, flower and roots

Dandelion is probably the most common and most commonly hated weed, but also possibly the best most healing weed there is. Dandelion has been known to cure liver problem, such as hepatitis, used as a treatment for breast cancer, stomach aches, used to help purify blood, decrease blood pressure and literally so much more it deserves an article all its own.

Dandelions are high in vitamins and minerals. The leaves have a slight bitter taste, though the younger the leaves, the less bitter they are. The leaves and flowers are great raw, in salads and sauteed. The flowers can also be used thrown in a salad or made into make wine. The roots are good to use for tea or boiled and eaten. Often the roots are roasted and sold as a substitute for coffee. Tea can be made with 2 tablespoons of leaves and/or root to 1 cup of water, let it steep. Drink daily or throughout the day during stomachaches or other illnesses.

Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica)

Parts used: Leaves

It is often slightly feared for the its little stinging hairs. But, those little hairs are the only thing to fear about this plant. Stinging nettle is rich in nutrients and a good general blood tonic. It is used in prevention of osteoporosis, as a treatment for allergies, asthma and other bronchial conditions. It is also used as a hair tonic to help stimulate new hair growth.

Nettle is best picked with gloves on, to avoid being stung. It should not be consumed raw, for the same reason you don't want to touch them with bare hands. It should be cooked or dried first, which will destroy the stinging hairs. The leaves can be steamed or simmered in water, seasoned and eaten. It can also be used to make tea and is often used to make beer.

Wood nettle and Slender are similar nettle plants, often found in the east of the United States. They can be used in the same way.

Plantain (plantago lanceolata, plantago major)

Parts Used: Leaves, seeds

Not to be mistaken with the fruit of the same name, plantain is a plant commonly known as a weed, often found in backyards, fields and on roadsides. It has anti-inflammatory properties, which can be used for poison ivy and stinging nettle rashes, insect bites and wounds. For more serious cases a poultice of the leaves is very effective. Taken internally it can be used for urinary tract infections and inflammatory conditions.

The leaves are edible. Young leaves can be eaten raw in a salad. They can also be made into a tea. The seeds contain mucilage, which make them a very effective laxative. To make a tea, 1 tablespoon leaves and seeds to 1 cup of water, steep for at least 10 minutes.

Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)

Part Used: Blossoms, leaves

This is a very pretty flowering herb, but to some pretty or not they see a weed. If you see it as more of a weed, than a beauty, try seeing it for its healing power. Red Clover blossomns are often used in treatments for cancers, skin problems, such as eczema and psoriasis, as well as colds and coughs. The blossoms are high in beta carotene, among other nutrients. They also contain isoflavones making them effective for menopause.

Dry blossoms and prepare into a tea 1T. blossoms in 1 C. water or store for later use. A prepared poultice is often used on cancerous growths. The leaves are also edible and can be used in salads and soups.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Part Used: Flowers

This plant is most common in the middle and eastern states, in yards, roadsides and fields. It has long been studied for its many healing properties. It was commonly used by Native Americans. It has been used for colds, flus, digestive problems, bleeding hemorrhoids and menstrual problems, Yarrow is also effective for bleeding wounds and infections, due to its antiseptic properties and ability to stop blood flow.

The flowers can be dried and made into a tea, compress or tincture. A hot cup of the tea can promote perspiration and help treat colds and flus and bring down fevers. Yarrow compress is very effective for wounds and hemorrhoids.

Hopefully, you will not stress this season and will see your weeds in a whole new light. Take advantage of your healing weed garden. But, be sure you know what you are picking first and make sure the herbal weeds you are picking have not been sprayed with chemicals or been subjected to pollution, like high traffic roadsides. For best flavor pick plants when they are young.

Sources:

Michael Tierra, L.Ac., OMD 'The Way of Herbs'

Pamela Forey, Cecilia Fitzsimons 'An Instant Guide to Edible Plants'