Identification and Uses of Common Medicinal and Edible Weeds

With Herbalist Linda Kingsbury Ph.D.

Many wildflowers and common weeds have been used for generations as food, for first aid, and medicine. This information is intended for continuing education and to help you build your health naturally. Thanks to Janet Warren and Ryan McGinty for the plant photographs.

Burdock

The root is used in formulas as a tonic and to purify the blood. The tea is especially good internally and externally as a wash for skin disorders. Because burdock is healing to the liver and gallbladder, on an emotional level the root helps process grief. The fresh leaves make a good topical poultice to relieve inflammation. To buy the tincture or bulk herb click here

Catnip

Tea made with the leaves and flower tops is used to relax the body and mind. Often used in formulas for children along with fennel to ease stomach and flu symptoms.

Chickweed

Tea made with leaves, stems, and flowers help to clear mucus. Helpful to treat sinus infections and allergies. The saponins help to thin cellular membranes so that nutrients can be absorbed. High in calcium it is great to add to tea for women, the tincture dissolves ovarian cysts. Good to ease hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. Eat raw in salad or like sprouts in sandwiches. Makes an anti-itch salve.

Dandelion

Young leaves are a wonderful spring addition to salads. The can also be steamed like spinach. Juicing the leaves with carrots and other greens can soothe stomach ulcers. Leaves are high in Vitamin A and potassium and have a mild diuretic action. The root is used as an aid to promote healthy liver functioning and as a general blood cleanser. The flowers have been used to make dandelion wine. Eating and using dandelion preparations helps to process anger. The sap from the stem helps to remove warts.

The leaves have a soothing demulscent are gathered and dried to make a tea to sooth irritated mucous membranes, sore throats, ulcers, digestive disorder. Edible seed pods also know as cheeses can be sauteed.

The leaves of this common meadow plant are high in vitamin C and have a mild sour taste. The signature is that the stem grows out from the center of the leaves.

Mullein

The leaves are soft and known to campers as nature’s toilet paper. The leaves are used as a tea to increase lymphatic circulation and are especially useful for bronchial congestion. The flowers are commonly infused in olive oil and blended with Saint John’s Wort Oil to ease earaches.

Nettles

Stinging Nettles leaves are high in vitamins, minerals, and chlorophyll. It is a good source of iron so an important women’s herb. The young plant can be gathered in the spring and used in soups. A tea or tincture made with the leaves can be taken internally to ease stress by supporting adrenal functions. It also has diuretic properties and has been used to expel kidney stones. Nettle leaves are a natural antihistamine. I blend it with Alfalfa and Chickweed to ease allergy symptoms in Aller-tea.

Peppercress

Field peppercress can be eaten as a survival food. The young shoots and leaves are gathered and boiled like spinach in 2 changes of water for 15-20 minutes. The leaves have a fresh peppery taste.

Grows in meadows and gravel areas. The yellow flower heads have a sweet apple-like smell and taste. The are edible but most commonly gathered and added to tea for their relaxing qualities. A look-alike plant is Dog Fennel but the white petals and smell of it distinguishes one from the other.

Plantain

The leaves are used topically to reduce skin irritations or bleeding. Rub the ribbed leaf over skin to ease the itch from bug bites. An astringent tea can be made with the leaves which are high in silica and have a diuretic effect.  Add to salves to boost anti- inflammatory properties.

Red Clover

The blossoms are edible and are often made into tea or tincture for blood purifying properties helping skin conditions. Some studies suggest taken regularly it may help relieve some menopausal symptoms because of its phytoestrogen properties.

St. John’s Wort

The flowers contain an active ingredient hypericin plus many supporting chemicals. The tincture of flowers may help reduce depression, neuralgia, menstrual cramps, and bedwetting. Recent research suggests hypericin acts against the AIDS virus. I blend Saint John's wort and Skullcap tincture to relieve pain. The oil is useful for muscle aches and pains, earaches, and wounds.

Self Heal

The flower essence can help to tap into your healer within. The fresh plant is a soothing poultice for bruises and scrapes. Crushed flower tops may relieve inflammation from bug bites. Apply leaves to eyelids and forehead to cool when hot and tired.

Sheep Sorrel

The leaves are edible in small amounts. The dried leaves are used in the traditional Essiac Cancer formula due to their blood purifying properties.

Shepherd’s Purse

The seedpods can be eaten or ground into flour. A tincture of the whole plant helps stop internal bleeding. Mix with Yarrow tincture to ease heavy menstrual bleeding. Has astringent properties which may help with hemorrhoids. Good first aid tincture.

Wild Rose

The rosehips make a good tea and are high in vitamin C and bioflavanoids. Rosebuds make a safe eyewash giving tone to tissues and relieving inflammation. Steeped flower tops can help relieve diarrhea when made into a tea. Also in pink and red flowers.

Yarrow

Internally a tea of leaves and flowers are used as a general tonic. The leaves are used externally to stop bleeding and heal wounds due to its ability to help blood coagulation. A tincture or flower essence protects against negative environmental pollutants. It is a specific for healing exposure to radiation.

Yellow dock

The root is high in iron and useful as a diuretic, laxative, astringent and tonic. A tincture is usually made due to its strong taste.