Dandelion
Dandelion is a very well known herb from Europe, but it is now found all over the world. It is one of the most common herbs in the world, yet only recognized as an annoying weed to most people. Unbeknownst to many this powerful little "weed" (which usually gets mowed down every year by you and your neighbors) is packed with almost every vitamin you can think of. This is one of nature's multivitamins. Many herbalists refer to dandelion as an alphabet herb, because she has vitamin A, and Bs, she's packed with vitamin C and is a great source of vitamin D, as well as vitimin K, zinc and trace minerals.
This herb is commonly bright yellow and looks and feels like lion's fur. It is called “Dandelion” because of the french word “Dent de lion” which in english means Lion’s tooth, referring to one of the plants identifying characteristics; it's jagged leaves, resembling the teeth of a lion. The term was first used to describe the flowering plant in the late 14th century because of its jagged, tooth shaped leaves and bright furry bloom. The root of this plant grows very deep into the ground, sometimes 10-15 feet deep. This allows the plant to benefit from all of the minerals and nutrients found deep in the earth.
Dandelion is one of the most healthiest herbs in the world. It can be enjoyed in many ways and has numerous health benefits. It helps prevent cancer, and the signs of aging because it helps to rid thr body of free radicals. It helps prevent bone loss, helps reduce constipation, bloating and water retention, joint pain, eczema, liver dysfunction, muscle aches, and works as a digestive aid and much more. The leaves can be eaten raw in salads (despite its mildly bitter flavor) or cooked as greens, and if cooked correctly can be delicious. The flower tops make a nice, mildly sweet tea, and can be enjoyed for its health benefits throughout the day. For a stronger more medicinal tea you can steep the dried root for at least 30-60 minutes and drink warm. The root can also be roasted, grinded and brewed, and enjoyed as a healthy coffee alternative. It is usually found in yards and on roadsides, so if you find it make sure to clean it well before use.
Dandilion root
Works Cited
Lambert, Pat, “Dandelion: the Plant That Keeps Giving”, 2020 Guardian News & Media Limited, 10 April, 2020, 13 April, 2020, <https://amp.theguardian.com/>
Ding, Sara, "DANDELION ROOT SLOWS THE GROWTH OF CANCER CELLS AND PREVENTS IT FROM SPREADING" Juicing for Health, 27 FEB 2018, <https://juicing-for-health.com/dandelion-root-tea-benefits>
]]>
Our herb of the week this week is a nice little springtime herb called Purple or Red Dead Nettle. Making its appearance in early spring, mid to late March to mid April, and back again in the early fall. A native plant of Europe but now commonly found all over North America growing wild for us all to enjoy. These little plant allies come in many different varieties such as purple dead nettle, red dead nettle, pink dead nettle, and white dead nettle, which are named after the color flower the plant produces. In fact, dead nettle is not even a nettle at all, it is actually part of the mint family (but does not taste or smell like a mint), not to get it mixed up with its big cousin the nutritious stinging nettle. The leaves look a lot like that of stinging nettle without the stingers. This makes Dead Nettle much easier to harvest but still very nutritious. With a very mild earthy flavor, not at all like the flavor of mint, It has various nutritional values, and medicinal uses, but is often mistaken as an annoying weed.
It is mostly known for helping sinus infections, throat, and the lower respiratory tract issues due to its anti-inflammatory properties and act as a great mediator for inflammation and in chronic inflammation conditions. Dead Nettle is a great friend to anyone who suffers from hay fever or seasonal allergies due to its histamine blocking properties. This powerful herb is packed with vitamin C and flavonoids, which is the reason this herb is good for allergies and immunity boosting. The flavonoid responsible for its antihistamine properties in this magical little herb is called quercetin, found in its cousin stinging nettles as well as in many fruits and vegetables such as apples, grapes, peppers and onions.
Dead nettle is a very invasive plant/herb, that's why it's considered a weed. It's actually very nutritious and helpful so if you see it in your garden or yard be sure to pick some and enjoy it as a tea or in your salads and smoothies. The seeds can be made into an oil and is great for resolving skin issues as well. Dead nettle should usually be harvested around early spring time for guaranteed freshness. When the plant turns pale to bright yellow, from sun exposure they are no longer good to harvest, so move quickly but if you miss out don’t worry they will be back in early fall right on time for ragweed season.
Acknowledgements
I would like to give a very big thank my sun(shine) Rasheen, who is 12 years old for taking the time to do his own research on our herb of the week and writing and rewriting two rough drafts of this blog. He is studying these herbs alongside myself as part of his homeschooling studies. He also participates in harvesting and drying the herbs as we study them. We will soon be packaging our Purple and Red Dead Nettle and it will be available in store for purchase very soon. They have been harvested, washed, triple washed and are now drying for packaging.
I also want to thank you all for reading my blog. I’m new to this blogging thing so, your feedback is always welcomed. I promise I will get better at this as we go along. Thanks for your support. Please check out our store at: www.millyandmeapothecary.com and use Promo Code: FIRST25 for a 25% discount if you need it at this time. Thank for supporting small local businesses.
Works Cited
Deer, Thea, “Allergy Sufferers Get Ahead With Purple Dead Nettle”, Wisdom of the Plant Divas, 28 March, 2016, 4/8/20, <https://wisdomoftheplantdevas.com/>
Patterson, Susan, “4 Reasons to go and Find Purple Dead Nettle”, Natural Living Ideas, 2 April, 2020, 8 April 2020, <https://www.naturallivingideas.com/>
Tappenden, Paul, “If You Haven’t Met This Incredible Plant, Now’s The Time”, Gardenalia Properties Service LLC, 4 March, 2015, 8 April, 2020, <https://gardenaliapgh.com/>
Schaefer, Anna, “The 4 Best Natural Antihistamines”, Healthline Media, 3 January, 2020, 8 April, 2020, <https://www.healthline.com/>
]]>Chickweed is an herb, typically used for medicinal purposes. The delicate green plant with its petite white flowers can be found growing wild in the cool month of March as one of the first signs of spring. This sweet little herb often mistaken as an invasive weed can be harvested and used as a tea, for weight loss, nausea, asthma, and it can also easily get rid of coughs and many more aliments. It can be made into a salve to be used topically as a treatment for a plethora of skin diseases such as eczema, psoriasis, diaper rash, contact dermatitis, and many more skin issues. Chickweed can also be enjoyed fresh and raw on top of salads for its high nutrient content.
It is a healthy little herb that comes in a variety of different species such as star chickweed, mouse ear chickweed, greater chickweed and at least 20 different other varieties. This plant is native to Europe and has been naturalized here in North America and other parts of the world such as Japan. It's small but packed with minerals,nutrients and helpful chemical compounds that give it its beneficial medicinal properties. Some of these compounds and nutrients include Saponins, which are responsible for chickweeds weight loss properties, and expectorant properties that help with coughs and colds. It is compound known to break up mucus, and help remove phlegm, and can help break up cyst and move along fats like cholesterol in the blood. Chickweed is high in Vitamins A, Bs and C, as well as copper and iron, and is also known to contain Silica which is known in nature as quartz.
Chickweed is a great little plant ally to have in your medicine chest, but it does have potential toxicities. Chickweed side effects include stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rapid pulse, dizziness, weakness, and cyanosis (bluish skin, nails, or lips), if taken in very large quantities. It has been known to cause toxicity in cows when ingested in extremely large amounts (2 Kilos or more). A human would have to eat at least two pounds of chickweed for it to be toxic to the body. So feel free to enjoy a small, comforting cup of chickweed tea for its sweet mild flavor and its many health and healing benefits.
You can find chick weed tincture and loose dry tea in our store: www.millyandmeapothecary.com don't forget to use promo code; FIRST25 for a 25% discount.
Resources used
Websites and Blogs
Editorial Team, “Herbal Chickweed Weight Loss”, MMI Online LTD, 4 July 2015, 22 March, 2020, <https://www.onlymyhealth.com/>
Wong, Cathy “Chickweed, What Should I Know About It”, Dotdash, 17
September, 2019, 22 March, 2020, <https://www.verywellhealth.com/>
, Buddha TeasMarch 1, 2016, “Chickweed Tea”,™, 25 March, 2020, https://www.buddhateas.com/chickweed-tea.html?gclid=CjwKCAjwguzzBRBiEiwAgU0FT3f7LVTdpMVXQSDE3jYMPBcWw2nym1l3zaAGGKqG0MDNy0BAQMfs9xoCfkgQAvD_BwE]]>