A Little Weed

Last year, I’ve branched out a bit more in my desire to understand healing and wellness.  Last March, I began a 9-month course on herbalism at the Sacred Plant Traditions in Charlottesville, Virginia.  Each month from March until November, a class meets for a weekend long class.  It’s the foundation of a three-year program to become a Master Herbalist.  Time will tell if this is where I am to go, but I’m excited at the possibilities.  

 Each month, I’m amazed at the wonders of herbs.  Funny thing is, most of what we talk about isn’t rosemary, basil, or culinary herbs which most people think about.  It’s weeds in our yard we work to remove and/or spray in the spring and summer so a luscious green lawn can appear.  Somewhere along the line of “modern living,” the desire for rich, green grass began to be highly sought after.  As a result, we began to kill off the pharmacy living in our back yard.  Toxic chemicals are used to kill the weeds and fertilizers are used to feed the grass.  While this makes for a lush, green lawn, I wonder what else it’s doing?  All those man-made chemicals are getting into the earth and the ground water, which will eventually end up creating a problem somewhere down the line.  It’s usually to our marine life.  They don’t get the option to move to another area that is less polluted, they have to learn to deal with the situation.  This could be an opportunity to talk about Glyphosate, aka Roundup, but that’s for another time.

Plants are simply amazing.  They are life and energy.  They have so much to give, yet are humble and quiet….except the dandelion.  That one is a bit loud and showy.  Here’s a bit of history about the dandelion:  When the early settlers came over from England, they were distraught that there were no dandelions in this New World.  They began to plant fields of them because of their known medicinal benefits.  And, now for decades since, we’ve been trying to kill them.  The entire dandelion plant can be used for medicine.  The roots, the leaves, and the flowers are all edible.  It’s a bitter, that is essential in health.  As people, we tend to move toward foods that are sweet and that is more pleasurable, but it’s necessary to consume a fair amount of bitters.  Those bitters support our immune system in a large degree.  The chlorophyll in the greens help to cleanse and purify the blood. The bitter taste counterbalances all those sweets that weaken the immune system.  

The flower of the dandelion looks pretty in a salad as does other flowers from “weeds.” Chickweed, is an early grower in the spring that can be added to salads.  It’s an anti-inflammatory and is most often used in a salve for boils, rashes, eczema and other skin issues.  Most everyone has some plantain growing in their yard. Plantain is a blood stopper and can be made into a poultice and applied immediately when there is a cut or small wound.  In reality, we have a pharmacy right outside our door, if we choose to allow those plants to grow instead of destroying them.  One way to consume the medicinal value of plants is through teas.

I’ve really grown to enjoy drinking herbal teas.  As an advocate for water consumption, I’m often drinking from a water bottle and seek to refill it a few times throughout the day.  It’s a way to keep track if I’m hydrating enough. Since my class, though, I’ve been drinking more herbal teas in my bottle so I can get the medicinal benefits while still keeping hydrated. I had no idea certain plants could strengthen the heart tissues, help with abdominal distress, or move lymphatics. The more I learn, the more I want to know and understand these beautiful plants. This time of year, plants are dormant and rest after a summer of growing. Now is the perfect time to think about your yard and what you would like to cultivate for the next year and build your own pharmacy. 

In the beginning, it can be quite overwhelming where to begin. I’d recommend starting with the plants that grow in your own area and there are many. Rosemary Gladstar has written numerous books, but one that comes to mind is Medicinal Herbs.  You may also be able to look for some local classes that can help you learn more about the medicinal plants in your area.

Health Bite: Cultivate your own green pharmacy.

Purslane--A Common Weed

Many of us have been destroying this common weed that can benefit our health. Each year countless time and frustrations are spent on weeding our gardens with seemingly little effect. I know for me, at times, the weeds seem to overrun the vegetables I’m trying to grow. Therefore, I would like to suggest another alternative. Let's eat them instead!

I first learned about the bounty of weeds and their benefits from a book by Rachel Weaver called Backyard Pharmacy. Most of the weeds in her book grow in my area, if not, in my yard and woods. There are many weeds that we can eat that have substantial health benefits. One of those is Purslane. Purslane is a succulent that is found all over the world. This hardy plant requires less water and soil nutrient and grows well in sunny climates. This low-growing plant is a staple in many areas of the world. The more this weed is tilled and pulled, the more it will grow. Remember succulents grow from just a small piece of the plant that lands on the ground. If your tiller is chopping it into hundreds of pieces, you will get a hundred new plants! So why fight it? Just eat it.

The soft, succulent leaves of the purslane plant contain more omega-3 fatty acids than in some fish oils. If you are a vegetarian or don’t like the taste of fish, then here is a great alternative. This essential fat has been shown to improve brain function and help with anxiety and depression. Rather than supplementing with pills, pull off some purslane and add it to your smoothie, salad, or entree. The taste is not what you would expect; rather, it is quite pleasant. Both the leaf and the stem can be eaten. It’s a nice substitute for spinach and is likely growing in your yard.

When picking purslane, it’s important to know the source. Do not eat if it has been sprayed or if a dog visits the spot. Wash it well, then chop it and add to your favorite foods. I’ve added it to quiche, smoothies, and veggie patties. This morning I enjoyed it in an omelet with onions and mushrooms.

Here are some health benefits of Purslane

• Very low in calories and fats; but rich in dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
• Fresh leaves contain more omega-3 fatty acids than any other leafy vegetable plant. Research shows that the consumption of foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and can help prevent the development of ADHD, autism, and other developmental differences in children.
• An excellent source of vitamin-C and some B-complex vitamins like riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine and carotenoids, as well as minerals such as iron, magnesium, calcium potassium and manganese.

I invite you to experiment with Purslane in the near future. Start by adding it to your salads or smoothies. Pay attention and listen to what your body is telling you. What differences do you feel after consuming Purslane?

Health-bite: Try the health benefits of Purslane