3 Useful Weeds Growing Right in Your Backyard

“Weeds are no good”- is we have always been told. You have fought the good fight against them to grow beautiful grass. You have maybe even had to pull weeds as a punishment as a child. (I have!) But, did you know that a lot of weeds have very useful benefits? What we see as annoying can actually be used for our good! (And doesn’t that sound like it could be a life lesson in and of itself?)

Chickweed

Chickweed or, Stellaria Media is one of the first weeds to appear in the spring time. You’ve seen these green leafy plants with tiny white flowers that form a star shape. They pop up in the crevices’ between rocks, or in your garden. Chickweed has been appreciated for centuries for its culinary and medicinal benefits. The flowers, leaves and stems can be used in teas, salads, on pizza, and in pesto. You get the picture! It has a lettuce taste, and when it is cooked it is comparable to spinach.

The name “Chickweed” came about because it was the preferred food to give to chicks! It is healthy for them and they love it! I can attest to this. I’ll never forget last year when we got our chickens, I learned about Chickweed and was so amazed at God. Here is a plant that chickens will love, and it is great for them. And guess what? It grows for free in your backyard, if you’ll let it!

Health Benefits of Chickweed:

• High in Vit A & C, calcium, iron, magnesium
• Anti-inflammatory
• Anti-fungal
• Antiseptc
• Expectorant
• Supports liver health
• Treats skin conditions such as eczema, insect bites, psoriasis, soothe sunburn

Making Use of the Weed:

First of all, any time you harvest an herb or weed, only use it from an area that has not been treated with chemicals. Once it is harvested, always wash the plant thoroughly. If you plan to try Chickweed for it’s skin healing benefits- make a salve with coconut oil and dried or fresh flowers. It can be consumed in a tea if you are fighting off an allergic reaction. It has very calming, soothing effects. Just bring some water to boil and place dried or fresh stems and flowers in the water. Use one of these tea strainers. Let it steep for at least 10 minutes then drink and enjoy! Additionally, try it in a raw in a salad!

There are some precautions to keep in mind. Chickweed can cause stomach upset if consumed in large quantities. For some people, it may cause skin irritation. So with anything, try a sample first and see how your body handles it. Overall, most people do not have any trouble with it.

Dandelions

Dandelions or Taraxacum are related to sunflowers, lettuce, and thistle. Taraxacum means “remedy for disorders.” Dandelions are the small yellow sunshiny flowers that pop up in your grass and then come to seed with the wispy tail that your kids blow all over your yard. They make a wish, and then spread the love of more dandelions! All parts of the dandelion are edible, right down to the root. Did you know that some Native American tribes would chew on the dandelion root to ease an aching tooth?

The plant got its name from the Normans because of it’s jagged leaves that look like lion teeth. “dent de lion.” The leaves of dandelions are more nutrient packed than spinach! It is a great source of calcium, Vit B, C, and E, potassium, iron, and calcium.

Health Benefits of Dandelion:

• The leaves-Natural Diuretic- (It makes you pee. Therefore, it helps you release toxins.)
• Reduces high blood pressure
• Can lower cholesterol
• Antioxidant
• Supports liver health
• Immune Boosting
• Roots- improve your digestion
• Used to treat boils, abscesses
• Can kill cancer cells

Making Use of the Weed:

Chop up dandelion leaves and/or flowers in a salad. Use them before the yellow flower appears as the leaves get more bitter the older the plant gets. Try replacing coffee beans with ground dandelion root! (This may be a little too crunchy for me…I do love my coffee!) Put dried or fresh flowers in your along with some herbs from your herbal garden for a delicious nutritious tea! Make dandelion root tea. Bring water to boil, allow the root to steep for at least 10 minutes and reap the benefits! However, if you have allergies to ragweed, you may have sensitivity to dandelion.

Purple Dead Nettle

Lastly, we come to the weed named Purple Dead Nettle. What a name! It’s scientific name is Lamium Purpureum. The weed got it’s common name because it resembles a stinging nettle. It’s heart shaped leaves have fine hairs on them. The leaves are tiered in layers that lead to dainty purple flowers around the crown of the plant. It can easily be confused with henbit. They are both in the mint family but smell/taste nothing like it! Both have similar health benefits and can be consumed in salads, smoothies, and soups. Henbit has a better taste. However, we will focus on purple dead nettle.

Health Benefits of Purple Dead Nettle

• Antihistamine
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antimicrobial
• Immune Boosting
• Antioxidant
• Antifungal
• Antibacterial
• Diuretic

Making Use of the Weed:

Many herbalist make a tincture with purple dead nettle to be used for seasonal allergies. It can help with swelling in the lungs. What on earth is a tincture? Glad you asked! It is an extract of a plant that is dissolved in ethanol. By soaking the plants in ethanol in a glass jar for approximately 6 weeks, the medicinal properties of the plant remain in the ethanol. Once the concoction is strained, then you take the remaining liquid as a medicine. Place the tincture in an amber glass dropper and you’re on your way to being a homeopathic mama!

The leaves can be used in teas and can promote healthy kidney function. Also, the fresh leaves can be applied to wounds in a poultice. A poultice is a warmed, moist paste made from herbs over an injury, ache or wound.

Conclusion

These weeds, along with many others are made by God and point to him. He has given us everything we need. Right down to amazing properties in pesky weeds. Take some time this week to really look around God’s creation. Challenge yourself to learn more about other weeds he has made. It will only make you love him more!

_{Medical Disclaimer: The information on this site is not meant to be medical advice in any capacity. It is informative in nature, only. Please always consult your doctor for medical advice. Pregnant and nursing moms need to consult with their doctors as well before consuming any herbal medicine.}

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