🌱 The Wild Wisdom of Weeds 🌱

This post is adapted from one of our favorite books called The Wild Wisdom of Weeds by Katrina Blair. We highly recommend it become part of your library! She is an amazing and knowledgeable woman. We had the pleasure of attending one of her edible wild walks, and learned so much about the Wild Wisdom of Weeds. :)

They might seem like annoying noxious hindrances in your yard, or growing out of cracks in the sidewalk… but some of these so called “weeds” have so much wisdom and healing power that predates you or I.

Before you spray your chemicals…and long for uniform on your boring ole grass…or zap that plant in the concrete…take a moment and think, could this be here for a reason?

Common weeds resilience astounds me, how they are strong in the summer and hardy in the winter. They are here for us and the earth, to balance.

Some common weeds you might find in your yard are:

Dandelion

great for the liver, detox and overall tonic

Chickweed

ease constipation, stomach and bowel problems, blood disorders, asthma and other lung diseases, obesity, a vitamin C deficiency disease called scurvy, a skin condition called psoriasis, rabies, itching, and muscle and joint pain.

Plantain

great for inflammation, cuts, burns, stings

Amaranth- full of antioxidants, minerals and protein (also gluten free)

Mallow- used for irritation of the mouth and throat, dry cough, and bronchitis. It is also used for stomach and bladder complaints

Clover- nitrogen-fixing plant, clover brings nutrients to your soil and requires no fertilization. When mixed with other grasses, clover can reduce or eliminate the need for regular fertilizing. Clover is drought tolerant and grows despite lack of water once established.

Yarrow-used to induce sweating and to stop wound bleeding. It also has been reported to reduce heavy menstrual bleeding and pain. It has been used to relieve GI ailments, reduces fevers

Lambsquarter- beneficial for diarrhea, internal inflammation, stomach aches, and loss of appetite. The tea can also be used as a wash to heal skin irritations and other external complaints.

Mustard- excellent sources of the minerals calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, selenium and manganese

Thistle- Supports liver health. One of the most common uses of milk thistle is to treat liver problems, promotes skin health, reduces cholesterol, supports weight loss, reduces insulin resistance, improves asthma, supports bone health

Purslane- purslane protects heart health, prevents cancer, rejuvenates skin, strengthens bones and immune system, promotes some digestive system diseases and supports child development

Dock- Yellow dock is used for pain and swelling (inflammation) of nasal passages and the respiratory tract, and as a laxative and tonic. It is also used to treat bacterial infections and sexually transmitted diseases.

Nettle- great for allergy relief, overall immune tonic, hormone balancer in men and women

Note: These are found in most areas in the world, regardless of climate or location. Always know where you are picking, and if you plan on ingesting them in any way… Pesticides and herbicides can be dangerous, so take caution.