Contributed by Sonya Maria Funaro-Soto, Just Botanicals
Do the weed plants in your yard drive you crazy? Did you leave home for a few days and return to find your lawn covered in a yellow sea of dandelions? Do you ever ponder why the heck they are so difficult to eradicate?
Have you ever considered that they might be there for you to use? Perhaps, that they might contain powerful chemical properties that can help treat whatever ailments you experience daily. Science has demonstrated that this is true, while history has also confirmed this.
There are thousands of stories examples of traditional uses of such plants as dandelion, horsetail, stinging nettles, yarrow, plantain and chickweed! Yes, it’s true! My friend and home herbalist, Hazel Koppenberg of Palmer, and I have been working with the Dorothy Page Museum in Wasilla to present the many benefits of these six plants.
Here is a sneak preview:
The high silica content in horsetail leaves makes it effective in natural haircare, skincare and nail products. Silica, such as what is found in horsetail, is needed by our bodies to produce collagen. Collagen is an important part of healthy skin, bones, ligaments and cartilage. This makes horsetail a powerful ally to keep our skeletal framework healthy.
The Romans called chickweed, “the Elixir of Life”. As a laxative and a diuretic, it works well in herbal weight-loss teas. It is a cooling anti-inflammatory, being very helpful for hot, inflamed skin, such as a sunburn! As if this wasn’t enough, chickweed also contains saponins that help regulate intestinal flora, the digestive system and help draw out toxins.
Plantain seeds can be ground to be used as a flour substitute or extender. Plantain seeds are also commercially called, “psyllium husk”, and sold as a laxative or system detoxifier.
And there is so much more to each of the afore-mentioned plants! Check out the exhibit that is up at the Dorothy Page Museum for the summer, to learn so much more about the weeds that grow so persistently in your yards.
