11 Edible Weeds Having Various Medicinal And Healing Properties

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Actually what we understood about weeds, it is simply any plant that’s growing where you don’t want it to. It might be surprised you that, some weeds in your own yard can actually be beneficial.

Its been many years, man has depend on nature to cure disease. In the last decade particularly, medicinal plants have been used more and popularity of plant medicines such as dandelions, Stinging nettles, ibogaine and cannabis making headlines for their powerful healing abilities against some of today’s most prominent illnesses.

Here are 11 weeds which possess interesting medicinal properties.

Milk Thistle
It has been used from 2,000 year as a liver medicine. Milk thistle extracts are using for the treatment of alcohol-induced liver damage. It has substances called silymarin, may protect the liver from damage after a person takes an overdose of other medications, including acetaminophen (Tylenol). Milk thistle may also be an antidote to poison from the deathcap mushroom (Amanita phalloides).

Red Clover
It has chemicals known as isoflavones, it act like the female hormone estrogen in the body. Clover chemicals used to treatment for hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause.

Dandelions
Dandelions are packed with micronutrients. This includes copper, cobalt, zinc, boron, molybdenum and Vitamin D. Dandelions cleanse and detoxify the liver by helping flush toxins out of the body and also normalizing blood sugar levels, improving cholesterol and reducing the clumping of platelets in blood vessels.

Platain
It is a common lawn weed mostly growing in North America. Its leaves as well as the juice have been widely used as lotions for treating sunburns, stings, insect bites, snakebites, poison ivy breakouts, rashes, burns, blisters, and cuts. Plantain has anti-inflammatory effects, and it is also rich in tannin which stop bleeding and also contain allantoin compound that heal injured skin cells.

Lemon balm
Lemon balm has long history of medicinal use. It has antiviral, antioxidant and calmative properties. Both the leaves and flowers may be eaten raw. Pure lemon balm essential oil is valued for its properties in aromatherapy where it is considered to be uplifting and calming, and in skincare as an anti-inflammatory.

Purslane
Purslane is mostly used as a salad . It has excellent source of essential nutrients. Purslane contains more Omega-3 fatty acids than any other leafy vegetable. It is also high in antioxidants like vitamins A, C and E, and essential minerals like iron, magnesium, calcium and potassium.

Peppergrass
It is found in fields and roadsides in Canada.  “peppergrass” (Lepidium virginicum) is in the mustard family and has a flavor similar to that of arugula. Peppergrass leaves can be eaten raw in salads or used to season soups for boosting immune system.

Yarrow
It is known as Soldier’s Wound Wort, yarrow is still made into an ointment for wounds in Scotland. While around the world have learned of its benefits, chewing the leaves to relieve toothaches, making tea of it for colds and using it in a poultice for hemorrhoids.

Mullein
Mullein leaves stimulating coughing to clear congested lungs. The dried leaves can be taken as tea also cure respiratory ills including asthma, and oil made with the flowers is a natural remedy for ear infections.

Stinging Nettles
Stinging nettles are very nutritious, it is also used as fertilizer for your garden and contain many medicinal properties. Stinging nettles are an excellent source of vitamins A, B and C, as well as minerals like calcium, magnesium and zinc. They have been used to treat conditions like arthritis and seasonal allergies for many years.

Nasturtium
This common weed grows in abundance. It is part of the mustard green family and has a similar peppery taste to watercress. The leaves are a fantastic for blood and lymphatic system purification. The leaves are also known for stimulating appetite.

Sources:

http://gentleworld.org/weeds-worth-growing/

http://ecosalon.com/edible-medicinal-backyard-weeds-plants/

http://www.theorganicprepper.ca/10-medicinal-weeds-that-may-grow-in-your-backyard-06042014

 

mcshane