Backyard Pharmacy

Native American culture teaches that the creator gave every plant at least one use for humankind, be it food, medicine or utility.

Can you count seven useful herbs?

Since I have begun to learn about the medicinal and nutritional value of the plants we call "weeds", I am continually amazed at the unrealized resources we have growing in our lawns, fields, parks and alley ways.

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Last night I was taking my dog, Rosie for a walk in our backyard and glanced at an area and counted seven plants that could enhance my family's health.  These are plants that are often poisoned out of lawns and roadsides, and yet they provide the food and medicine we need to live healthy vibrant lives.

Burdock puts down deep roots that pull minerals from the ground.  Gobo is the culinary word for the burdock root that some Asian cultures use in soups.  Burdock roots cleanse the blood and have historically been used to treat gout and skin conditions.  The leaves make soothing poultices, and the seeds can be infused in oil and used for skin irritations and to strengthen and regrow hair.

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Burdock

Horsetail is high in calcium and silica.  A water infusion can be used as a rinse to strengthen hair or made into a bone building tea.  The herb can be dried, powdered, and used in tooth powder recipes.

Horsetail

All parts of the dandelion can be used, root, leaf, and flower.  The greens are bitter and aid in digestion by increasing the body's output of bile.  The roots are a super effective diuretic, and actually replenish potassium levels that are often depleted with over-the-counter diuretic products.  Dandelion is often used with burdock root as the burdock cleanses the blood and the dandelion root supports the liver in the removal of toxins from the body.  The sap from a dandelion stem or leaf will soothe the sting of a nettle.  

Dandelion

Chickweed is one of my all time favorite wild salad greens.  The flavor is mild making it a perfect base to add peppery arugula or spicy mustard greens.  It is a nutritious addition to green smoothies, and can also be infused in oil to make the base for a skin soothing salve.  The fresh leaves can be bruised and applied as a poultice to treat eye irritations and infections.

Chickweed

Not only do violets have pretty purple, yellow or white flowers, but they also have healing powers to aid those with respiratory ailments including dry coughs,  congestion, colds, tonsillitis, and sore throats.  According to Matthew Wood, in The Earthwise Herbal and Susan Weed, in Healing Wise violet is particularly effective for fibrous cysts, lumps, infections or growths in breast tissue.  Violet has been historically used to treat breast cancer.

Violet

The blade shaped leaf makes the yellow dock plant easy to identify.  Herbalist, Rosemary Gladstar calls it, "possibly one of the best herbs for the entire digestive system, including the liver.  The root is rich in anthraquinone making it an effective laxative.  The biochelated iron in its root can be easily absorbed making it a good choice for those suffering from anemia and fatigue.

Yellow Dock

The medicinal attributes listed above are only a few of the many uses for these herbs.  If you have any of these "weeds" readily available, I would encourage you to do some research and discover how your health can be enhanced by your own backyard pharmacy.  You will find it empowering!

Please note: The objective of this blog is to raise awareness of alternative ways to achieve wellness and to empower you to take an active role in your health decisions.  To accomplish this, you will need to explore these subjects in greater depth and then determine what makes sense for your life.  My hope is that this information will inspire you to start your own search into ways to make your life happier, healthier and more fulfilling.