The Medicinal Qualities Of These Ten Common Garden Weeds Will Surprise You

I've always said that garden weeds are just plants that grow in places people don't want them.

Though they have a bad reputation, garden weeds are not entirely bad. Some keep the soil loose and can even be "fixers," pulling up nitrogen from deep in the ground for other plants to utilize. In addition, weeds can stop soil erosion and offer a home for insects and microbes.

Weeds are just plants growing where people don't want themPhoto byRichelleg

However, did you know that many of them are useful herbal remedies with strong therapeutic effects? Herbs and plants play a major role in traditional medicine, particularly when treating human afflictions.

Herbs and weeds with anti-inflammatory properties help cells fight substances that cause inflammation in your body, just like OTC medications. The substances found in plants interact with the body to calm and lessen inflammation and the pain that goes along with it.

**As always, please talk to your healthcare provider before starting a natural remedy, and make sure you have a positive identification before injesting any part of any plant. Your phone has awesome plant id apps you can download, just search it.

Common Garden Weeds To Stop Pulling And Start Saving

Dandelion

Dandelion is one of the most well-known and well-liked lawn weeds, unless you're looking for a perfect lawn. It has a host of health advantages, including strengthening the body's immune system and eliminating pollutants that worsen inflammation. In order to keep white blood cells from overreacting, it also aids in their regulation.

All parts of the plant are useful.

Dandelions are worth so much more than just weeds.Photo byRichelleg

The roots can be dried and powdered for a shelf-stable tonic. Boil two to three tablespoons of the root powder in a cup of water for five minutes. Strain and consume it on a daily basis to treat high blood pressure, gastrointestinal and lung issues, arthritis discomfort, and goiter.

Break off the stem of the dandelion, apply the sap to the affected region of your skin to treat rashes, bug bites, nail fungus, and excessive dryness. Rinse it off once it dries.

Use the petals in salads to treat upset stomachs, acid reflux and to add fresh vitamins and minerals to your diet. Packed full of vitamin c, iron, zinc and B vitamins!

Plantain

Plantago major flourishes in rocky, sunny soil, often close to roadways., and is regarded as one of the world's best medicinal herbs. The common plantain possesses several medicinal qualities, including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects. It is frequently used to treat skin infections, wound pain, lung issues, and inflammation.

All parts of this plant are useful.

Plantain is good for all sorts of thingsPhoto byRichelleg

Plantain leaves can be used as a poultice to treat superficial burns, insect bites and stings, boils, splinters, and more. Put a few clean leaves in your mouth and chew, or crush the leaves well in your fingers to get the juices flowing. Apply it to the affected area, and cover it with a cloth or bandage.

In addition to being applied externally, consuming the leaves of the plantain tea helps with heart, breathing, and stomach problems. You can eat the young leaves raw or in tea. The seeds can be used as a laxative.

Clover

Though some gardeners nurture them as decorative plants, clover plants, belonging to the genus Trifolium, are generally regarded as weeds. White clover (Trifolium repens) and red clover (Trifolium pratense) are lovely additions to the lawn that offer benefits beyond aesthetics.

Red clover is primarily beneficial for liver and lung ailments. It can also boost immunological responses, lower blood pressure, and have small amounts of estrogen that can help relieve menopause symptoms.

Red cloverPhoto byRichelleg

The clover leaves and flowers are what you're looking for. You can eat both white and red raw, they have a sweet green bean taste.

The most effective form of red clover for reducing inflammation is a tincture. To make it, put one liter of 100-proof vodka in a glass jar with 200 grams of dried red clover leaves and flowers. Give the jar a good shake, cover it, and store it in a dark place for 21 days, shaking it often. Men shouldn't take red clover every day because it includes phytoestrogens; women who experience hormonal irregularities should speak with their doctor.

For a variety of inflammations, take ten drops of the tincture twice a day in a glass of water.

Borage

Echium vulgare, sometimes referred to as blueweed, or starflower, is a species of flowering plant in the Boraginaceae family of borage plants that has purple blooms. Gardeners prefer this helpful weed to grow alongside vegetables because it enhances the flavors of the veggies.

The leaves, flowers, and stalks are edible, and taste like cucumber.

BoragePhoto byRichelleg

Another reason why borage is prized is that it works incredibly well on autoimmune conditions like lupus. Chewing borage leaves helps to reduce respiratory irritation and congestion. Crushed leaves from this plant make a great poultice for psoriasis, eczema, and bug bite-related skin irritations. Additionally, gout, arthritis, and breastfeeding-related breast inflammation can be treated with a borage infusion.

This plant can have a seditious and diruetic effect on some people, so use caution until you know how it affects you.

To make an infusion, put one liter of 100-proof vodka in a glass jar with 200 grams of borage leaves, flowers, and chopped stalks. Give the jar a good shake, cover it, and store it in a dark place for 21 days, shaking it often. Take ten drops with a glass of water up to two times a day.

Burdock

If you hike, camp, or spend anytime outdoors, you probably hate burdock (Arctium minus), which grows in the wild and has burrs that resemble Velcro. The burrs are difficult to remove after they stick to garments and animal fur. But, as you guessed, burdock is one of the weeds that is often foraged for the treatment of inflammatory conditions. And it's a powerhouse!

BurdockPhoto byRichelleg

Burdock is useful in treating skin conditions, respiratory issues, rheumatism, and hypertension. Burdock is used in traditional medicine to reduce inflammation during and after childbirth, it's used to get rid of toxins and as a "blood purifier." People use burdock for aging skin, stomach problems, and other joint swelling issues.

Burdock's anti-inflammatory qualities can be obtained by making a decoction of its roots and consuming it three times a day. Its fresh or dried leaves can also be used in place of or in addition to the roots.

Horsetail

The herbaceous perennial plant Equisetum arvense, sometimes known as the field horsetail or common horsetail, belongs to the Equisetaceae family. While most of its families have already gone extinct, horsetail is thought to be one of the few remaining archaic plants. The plant can thrive practically anyplace, even in unfavorable soil. It's one of the most bothersome weeds to deal with because of its quick growth and challenging removal.

This plant, with anti-inflammatory properties, works wonders for healing small cuts and burns. Horsetail helps the body's cells by preventing them from overproducing inflammatory chemicals. Additionally, it has silica, which balances the immunological response on cells and enhances bone health.

HorsetailPhoto byRichelleg

For all types of inflammations, arthritis pain, and an overworked immune system, horsetail is amazing. You can consume the plant's fruitful stalks as a salad. The dried horsetail stalks can be made into a decoction or infusion and used as medicine to treat inflammatory aches. It's also a fantastic plant for healthy hair and growth!

Creeping Charlie

The creeping plant, known as ground ivy, catsfoot, field balm, run-away-robin, or creeping Charlie (Glechoma hederacea), thrives in moist, disturbed soil. Creeping Charlie can be a very bothersome weed in the garden and is hard to control on turf.

It works very well to relieve throat, ear, and sinus discomfort. It can reduce inflammation and clear mucus from nasal passages. Another great weed for digestive issues, such as infantile colic, is due to its antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. It also can be applied topically to treat bruises and skin irritations. Works wonders for tinnitus.

Creeping charliePhoto byRichelleg

Young leaves and blooms of creeping Charlie are edible and can be added as a garnish or used in salads, soups, stews, and pesto. The leaves are rich in iron, calcium, potassium, and vitamins A and C. They also have a pleasant, fragrant flavor like mint and sage.

Dry the leaves and flowers to use in tea.

Purslane

A wild, weedy and woody plant that has naturalized in both tropical and temperate climates is purslane (Portulaca oleracea). You frequently see it growing in gardens, pavers, and sidewalk cracks. This plant can be used for food, fodder, and herbal medicine.

PurselanePhoto byRichelleg

Purslane's analgesic and anti-inflammatory qualities are best consumed raw, with its juice extracted and taken with honey and sugar. It can also be applied topically to the affected area to relieve discomfort from arthritis and gout. Purslane leaves can be bruised and applied as a treatment to wounds and insect bites.

They're packed full of vitamins, minerals, Omega-3's, and antioxidants.

Stinging Nettle

It only takes a light brush with its leaves to irritate your skin. Though stinging nettle is known for its sting, it has a secret, helpful life as well.

Nettle is typically used to manage pain brought on by arthritis, gout, muscle aches, and other issues involving the muscles and nerves. In addition to treating kidney and bladder issues, stinging nettles also treat prostate disorders, arthritis, and joint pain.

Oddly enough, one of the greatest plants for reducing allergic irritation is stinging nettle. Because it contains flavonoids that really suppress the synthesis of histamine, it's an excellent treatment for allergies in general!

Stinging nettlePhoto byRichelleg

Wear gloves and pick stinging nettle; hang upside down to dry for a few weeks. Once dry, strip the leaves from the stems and store them in a jar. I use one cup of dry leaves for two cups of water to make my tea.

Take a decoction of stinging nettle leaves twice a day to unleash its anti-inflammatory properties. The infusion can also be used as a warm soak to ease sore muscles and joints.

Chickweed

Chickweed flavor has a faint hazelnut taste. Chickweed has the benefit of being available in fresh form nearly year-round. After winter, chickweed (Stellaria media) is one of the first weeds to appear in the lawn. Because of its bothersome growth, chickweed also usually ends up being the first plant you pull out.

Eczema, psoriasis, and roseola are inflammatory skin conditions that chickweed is quite successful against. It is also a great herb to use for long-term inflammatory pain relief. Chickweed is a reliable remedy for arthritis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) pain management.

ChickweedPhoto byRichelleg

Chickweed relieves stomach issues and respiratory difficulties when used internally. Using a decoction of chickweed as bath water or a soak helps reduce discomfort for your skin. Its leaves can be applied topically to treat ulcers, external abscesses, and inflammations.

Conclusion

Weeds offer a variety of pharmacological qualities. Let me know if you've picked, stored, or used any of these common garden weeds in a comment below!

**As always, please talk to your healthcare provider before starting a natural remedy, and make sure you have a positive identification before injesting any part of any plant. Your phone has awesome plant id apps you can download, just search it.

Citations:

5 Common Edible and Medicinal “Weeds” You Need to Know. (2020, April 8). Pine Project. https://pineproject.org/resource/5-common-edible-and-medicinal-weeds-you-need-to-know/

Rd, R. a. M. (2020, June 10). What Is Plantain Weeds, and How Do You Use It? Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/plantain-weeds

Pelc, C. (2023, March 28). Anti-aging, wound-healing potential found in an invasive weed. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/anti-aging-anti-inflammatory-potential-found-in-an-invasive-weed