Medicinal Weeds
One of my favorite things ever is watching someone’s eyes light up as they are opened to a new idea. That happened recently on a walk with my niece. I just naturally started pointing out plants, as I’m inclined to do, that are edible or medicinal and I saw it happen. And she said it. “You mean they’re not just weeds?”
She was my inspiration to begin teaching foraging classes in my area. And Sam has been at every one of those classes so far. I love that girl!
Jenny and Samantha – two of my awesome nieces – on a foraging walk.
One of the benefits of using medicinal weeds from your own backyard is that you know how they are grown and that they are fresh. I held one of my foraging classes right in my 1/4 acre yard because I wanted people to see what an amazing variety of useful, medicinal “weeds” there can be in a small area.
Chickweed / Stellaria media
Chickweed, found worldwide, is a cooling herb best known as an herbal remedy for itchy skin. It helps to relieve the itch of bites, stings, and eczema, and soothes sunburn and minor burns as well.
You can crush the herb and make a paste, and apply that directly to your skin, or infuse it in oil to use in a soothing salve. Try tying some into a muslin bag and add it to a bath to soothe skin as well.
Cleavers / Galium aparine
Walk through a patch of cleavers and this common medicinal weed will stick to your legs. The entire plant is used to strengthen lymphatic activity, helping our bodies to get rid of metabolic waste making it useful as a remedy for swollen glands and earaches.
Cleavers also helps to soothe the urinary tract and is often used to treat swollen glands and bladder irritation. It is best used fresh, rather than dried.
Cleavers is most tender in the spring and can be chopped and added to salads or smoothies. It can also be juiced.
Dandelion / Taraxacum officinale
Instead of trying to purge this deep-rooted perennial from your lawn, harvest it as food and medicine. All parts are valuable – leaves, flowers and roots.
Dandelion is best known as a way to cleanse and nourish the liver. It has been used to treat jaundice, urinary tract infections and painful menstruation.
The roasted root is really delicious, and was what I used to quit coffee. Dark roasting it, and adding cream really satisfied my cravings.
Infuse flowers into oil and make dandelion lotion bars to relieve dry skin, sore muscles and stiff joints.
The flowers make delicious Dandelion Flower Fritters as well.
Ground Ivy / Glechoma hederacea
Ground ivy has really taken over in one corner of our yard. I admit that we battle to keep it at bay. And to think that a tincture made of this is so expensive!
The leaves and flowers are gathered in the spring. It is often made into a tea which is high in vitamin C. It has been used to treat sinus congestion, headache, scurvy and tinnitus.
Jewelweed / Impatiens capensis
© Depositphotos.com/[lawcain] – Terms and Conditions
The backyard at our cottage at the lake is covered in jewelweed. And there it will stay. Jewelweed is often used to treat the rash of poison ivy, although it is more effective as a preventative than a cure.
If you have been exposed to poison ivy, break the stem of some jewelweed and rub it on your skin. Or even better, rub it on yourself before going into the woods to help prevent the urushiol in poison ivy from getting on your skin.
Try making some of your own Plantain and Jewelweed Home Remedy for Poison Ivy.
Lamb’s Quarters / Chenopodium album
This common garden weed is high in vitamins A, B complex, and C and rich in iron. It gently detoxifies the body because of its high chlorophyll content.
Use a tea of leaves for tummy aches and diarrhea or as a wash to heal skin irritations.
Mullein / Verbascum thapsus
When we bought our first house many years ago, the property was full of weeds. And yes, I pulled out every last mullein plant. I didn’t know!
Mullein flowers can be infused in oil and is a wonderful remedy for earache. And the dried leaves make a good tea for cough.
Check out my post Mullein for Earaches and Coughs to learn more about this medicinal weed and to learn how to infuse the oil.
Nettle / Urtica dioica, U. urens
Stinging nettle is one powerhouse – some consider it a complete multi-vitamin and mineral supplement. The leaves are used in the treatment of literally dozens of ailments including arthritis, asthma, dandruff, PMS and bladder infections.
I have personally used tea from this medicinal weed to provide relief from seasonal allergies – it has a natural antihistamine effect.
Nettle makes a wonderful pesto, or try my Stinging Nettle Spanakopita recipe – a delicious way to get more of this medicinal weed into your diet.
Plantain / Plantago major, P. lanceolata
This plant is ubiquitous. According to Katrina Blair in The Wild Wisdom of Weeds, plantain grows everywhere on earth that humans inhabit.
Use it to make a healing salve, or to make a tooth powder that can actually help to remineralize teeth. And a tea made from plantain leaves is soothing to the digestive tract.
I also love plantain in my Plantain and Jewelweed Home Remedy for Poison Ivy.
My niece gave some of that healing salve to a friend whose child had eczema and his rash cleared up in 3 days. Nothing the doctor was prescribing was touching it.
Red Clover / Trifolium pratense
The red flowers of this perennial are dried and used as tea or made into tinctures. Because its deep tap roots brings minerals to the surface, red clover is high in nutrients and a rich source of isoflavones which may help to treat symptoms associated with menopause, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis.
Traditionally, red clover has been used to purify the blood. Alicia, from The Artist and the Herbalist relates an amazing story concerning red clover. Her family was living in an old home and she discovered that her little girl was eating paint chips.
A visit to the doctor confirmed that lead levels where high. She asked the doctor to give her a month, rather than begin treatment immediately. Alicia gave her daughter red clover tea several times a day during that month. Her blood work showed no lead at the end of the month!
Red clover is also a blood thinner and should not be used by those on blood thinning medication. Its expectorant actions help to ease chest congestion. Red clover is not recommended for use by those who are pregnant or breast feeding; it may also reduce fertility.
St. John’s Wort / Hypericum perforatum
Because it is antiviral, St. John’s Wort has been effectively used to treat cold sores. It is also anti-inflammatory and has been used topically to heal and soothe wounds and burns.
St. John’s Wort is probably best known as treatment for mild to moderate depression and anxiety. It does need to be used over time to get its full effect. If you plan to use it, please do your research as it can interact with other medications.
Wood Sorrel / Oxalis acetosella
Both the leaves and flowers of the wood sorrel are edible and medicinal.
The leaves made a cooling drink to quench thirst and reduce fever. Use sparingly as it is very high in oxalic acid.
Soak your tired, swollen feet in a juice made from the leaves of wood sorrel for some soothing relief.
Yarrow / Achillea millefolium
Traditionally, yarrow has been used to stop minor bleeding and has also been taken internally to act as a sedative. The flowers, leaves and stems are all used medicinally.
More Than Weeds
A Foraging eCourse for Beginners
Are you interested in foraging, but a bit hesitant because you don’t trust your own abilities? I created a mini eCourse just for you. In More Than Weeds: 5 Common Plants to Forage for Food and Medicine you’ll learn that identifying plants is all in the details.
Using common plants with which may be someone familiar you’ll learn beginner botany skills that you will be able to use as you move forward. You’ll gain confidence to use these plants for your family in food and safe, home remedies. Get started now!
For further reading:
Natural Home Remedies for Your Medicine Cabinet
20 Medicinal Herbs You Can Grow From Seed
From Plantain Leaf to Healing Balm
Foraging Mullein for Earaches and Coughs
5 Ways to Make an Herb Infused Oil
Thank you for visiting Learning And Yearning. May "the LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." Num 6:24-26
Lucy says
Hi
Thanks for this article and the beautiful pictures.
I love to see the herbs so Im sure of what I am looking for.
Is there a book that has more great pictures?
Do you ever teach in Orlando Florida?
I would love to attend one of your classes
Thanks, Lucy Casablanca
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Lucy, thanks for stopping by! Thankfully, there are lots of great books out there; here a few to choose from: http://amzn.to/2daksKG.
No, I’m sorry to say that NE PA is my stomping grounds and it’s where I teach my classes.
Tammy Davis says
Hello Susan,
I left a message a few days ago on another page… I am so glad that I stumbled upon your site! Katrina Blair is my primary go to person for all things having to do with foraging for wild edible plants. In addition, I share your passion for all of the things you list as intentions in your journey – I’m right there with you 🙂
I wish to take others on foraging walks to share what I am learning with others also. But I don’t know how to get started. Are you able to give me any guidance in this area or perhaps you know of a resource for this kind of info?
Thank you so much Susan!
In Peace & Gratitude,
Tammy
Mendocino Coast, California
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Tammy, at first I would just post on my personal FB page asking if anyone wanted to go on a foraging walk and that I would just accept donations. More recently, I started a FB group for beginner foragers and invited all my FB friends to join. Strangers have found the group as well through word of mouth. I post lots of foraging posts there, and information about my classes, which I do charge for. I hope that helps!
JessicaOssom says
Susan, it’s great that you’re teaching about medicinal weeds. Nature’s remedies in our backyard are a hidden gem. Your niece realizing these plants aren’t just weeds shows how important it is to know and appreciate nature’s gifts. Keep up the good work in sharing the wonders of foraging!
Holly Bose says
I bet your foraging classes are a lot of fun and packed full of fun botanical facts.
I have a tree root I’m planning on using for tea. It’s not a “weed” but another plant that will find a new use on our property.
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Holly, it’s so nice to hear from you!!! I had an opportunity to take a group of local chefs on a foraging walk; that was so much fun, as all my classes have been – for me, anyway. 😉 What root are you using? We use sassafras root.
Longkiri says
Its natural plants.
zypyco says
hello there are a lot of natural medicines given with a book about natural medicine is very useful you can also recommend http://bit.ly/2OhdMyt you can review the site
Lydia Cynkie Mkabela says
Hi my name is Lydia Cynkie Mkabela, I’ve never used some of the weeds above,but I like using herbs for my family and I’ve just learned that I was throwing useful weeds away, thanks for the enlightening
Balikis95 says
May the Lord bless and keep you too. This reminds me of the song titled The Blessing.
My eyes were surely large has I read. I am reading a novel that speaks about modern and traditional medicine , and I was well informed of more juicy details about traditional medicines.
In Africa, precisely Nigeria, our mothers mainly use these leaves to cure so much. When I was sick as a child, I took more of herbal medicine, and Mom pulled them out from areas you’d never thought those things would be and cooked them.
There are some which juices are extracted to cure cough or clear off ezyma.
I have used some that help with drugs. We planted at my place. After the monthly cycle, we cook it and add milk to go. It’s works so well.
Seeing these plants really reminds me of the usefulness of weeds. Thanks for sharing, and I am glad your niece brought out this incredible part of you.
I waltzed in from dreemport, and my Hive username is Balikis95.
Have an amazing Sunday.
Susan Vinskofski says
Welcome, and thank you for your input!
adoore-eu says
This is an interesting read and it is also very informative . Although I haven’t heard about most of these herbs which I may have thought are weeds, but I thank you for the enlightenment. I am thrilled to know what they do, I hope to share this to reach a wider audience.
I believe in herbal medicine /concoctions, and I know that when combined in the right way, they can help alleviate or stop many ailments. For some time now, I use herbs to prevent malaria and it has been working very well for my family and I also know someone who used a herb to drastically reduce pains due to kidney problem.
I know a herb which I use to boost my PCV every time it goes lower than necessary.
You have done well with your research work and I have no doubt your foraging class will be knowledge packed. God bless you for all do to help humanity
Thanks
@adoore-eu
amiegeoffrey says
This article is very educative and informative, first of all, I commend your niece, we never know who may inspire our hidden passion. She brought out the best part of you with just one thoughtful question.
Secondly, I enjoyed reading this article because as Africans we value natural remedies over orthodox ones. After all, it has little or no side effects.
When my aunt was sick with diabetes and was taken to different hospitals, the doctors concluded she was going to be injected with insulin all her life until a friend recommended an herbal leaf right in our backyard which was mixed with lime juice and today, my aunt is doing well.
The true gifts of life are almost free of charge, we only need people like you around us to show us the herbs and how to use them, from the pictures you’ve shared I am sure if I come across any of these leaves I would be able to identify them and their uses.
Thank you so much for starting the foraging classes and thank you for writing about this, you never know who this article might help and who it might inspire to fuel a hidden passion inside of them.
I popped in from Dreemport because I am an awesome #dreemerforlife.
My hive username is @amiegeoffrey.
Have a blessed day.
ngwinndave says
We are surrounded by so many wonderful free gifts of nature… so many of them that we keep weeding off. This post is so rich, thanks for sharing this wealth of knowledge!
I came in from #dreemport.
#dreemerforlife
Rukkie says
Nature and it’s ever loving gifts it presents to us and It’s a wonderful thing to have these beauties surrounding us.
Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful post. I enjoyed reading.
I am always a #dreemerforlife
My Hive username is @rukkie . Do have a wonderful day.
Emreal says
I love herbs so so much, we have many of them down here but unfortunately I don’t even know their use medicinally.
A few months ago, before everywhere got totally dried (dry season) I went into the bush behind my house and I was busy snapping some plants and making research on them on Google. I mean I was so blessed when I realized I could really search for things on Google by just snapping them. I was blessed with some of the results, because I put some to practice and the herbs really worked
There are many valuable herbs out there but we neglect them because of ignorance. Well, I would love to say thank you so much for taking your time to create a class specially to educate people on those beneficial planet. I got so much educated from this post.
Juliana says
I enjoyed myself while reading this article and I must confess the moment I feel like am tired of reading I will find the next sentence attractive and I don’t know when I finish reading this article.
We are always ignorant of many things in our surroundings and we allow them to get wasted when they are of benefit to us
This is educative and comprises lots of information. I will try some of these foraging medicines.
Thanks for this information.
I popped in from #dreemport and I remain a #dreemerforlife
My hive username is @julti1985.
Luchyl says
Wow, aren’t I lucky to find this educative and informative piece, so awesome.
I’m always amazed when I read about the weeds we have around our environment are not growing there for us to weed them out because we feel that they are useless but are actually used for medicinal purposes to treat ailments.
I am very familiar with one grass – Chromolaena odorata commonly called Siam weed or triffid weed as I have used it to stop bleeding in wounds.
I also use the Miracle plant – Bryophyllum pinnatum to fight cold, cough, and runny stomach.
> The leaves are used in the treatment of literally dozens of ailments including arthritis, asthma, dandruff….
Although I’m not too familiar with the Stinging nettle but looking at the uses, I will surely look it up and then try using it because I’ve been having a bit of knee pain recently.
I so much appreciate you sharing your wealth of knowledge with us.
I waltzed in through #dreemport for I’m a #dreemerforlife
I am @luchyl on Hive.
dwixer says
It’s indeed a blessing to know around us are plants that can be used to serve our daily medical purposes, but this can only be unveiled by someone whom God has blessed with such a wisdom.
I grew up with my grandma, she seemed to know much about herbal medicine. I believe our parents survived with this knowledge before the introduction of modern medicine and this knowledge has lived on.
I particularly will make use of the chickweed, knowing it cure certain skin disease. I’ll save the post, I’ll have so much benefit for me in the future. But then how did you know this much about natural plants? Nature’s gift or a knowledge passed down?
#dreemerforlife?