Uses for Lambs Quarters

Lambs quarters (Chenopodium album –L)

 Lamb's quarter is an erect, annual weed, 1-3 feet high; the stem often mealy, red-streaked. Leaves somewhat diamond-shaped, coarsely toothed; mealy white beneath. Flowers greenish-white, on densely flowered spikes, inconspicuous; in clusters; June to October.

Time of Year:  Spring to fall (seed in oct and nov)

Location:  All of North America

ClickHere for map  If it does not grow in your area do a search to see what kind does

Nutrient Content

Phosphorus, iron, calcium, vitamins A, B2, Niacin, and C

USES

Flowers, Seeds and Leaves

Editable uses

• This plant a spinach substitute that is why many call it wild spinach (I cook it with a little garlic mustard plant)

• Not a good plant for salads

• But the seeds can be soaked and sprouted for salads

• Cook the whole flower heads and they have a broccoli taste to them

• The seeds can be ground and added to breads (because they are high in carbs and protein it is a good addition to any food) **note but the seeds should be soaked first to pull out the toxins they have.

Medical Uses

I call this the camper’s plant because…..

• Boil the leaves and make a wash for sunstroke or a tea to help with sunstroke. 

• The leaves decrease  pain by reducing inflammation. Tea or mash

• Bug Bites, Burns, aching joints and swollen feet...spread a mash on them

• The seeds are used for

•  The leaves can be eaten raw to help support the healing of anemic blood conditions

• Ever here of Beano well this does the same thing iy help with gas chew on a few leaves (just a few because to many can be toxic)

•  The roots made in a tea make a good  laxative

•   Make a juice form the plant and use it as mouthwash for tightening the gums and eliminating bad breath.

Other Uses

• Makes a great green Dye

• The roots have saponin in them, which makes a natural soapy substance when mashed 

• Many farmers use this plant for their livestock (it grows fast and has nutritional value) mostly Chickens (that is why some call this plant fat hen)

 

Uses for Nettles

Stinging Nettle - (Urtica dioica L. )

Is a called stinging because of it stinging hairs called trichomes on the leaves and stems, which act like hypodermic needles.  Grow's 3 to 7 ft tall in the summer . It bears small greenish or brownish numerous flowers.. The leaves and stems are very hairy with non-stinging hairs but many are stinging.

Time of Year: Spring through fall

 

Location:  All of North America

Click Here for map  If it does not grow in your area do a search to see what kind does

Nutrient Content

Vitamins A and C, magnesium and iron

USES 

Leaves , Roots and flowers

Add note: Wear glove when harvesting. They do not call it stinging nettle for nothing. It will cause an amazing itch. But....Cooking and drying neutralizes the sting of this plant. Very high in minerals, Iron, and Vit. A and C. Worth the work.  Chickweed or Dock Plant will stop the itching.
 
Editable uses

• Young leaves can be added to soups 

• Cook young leaves as a vegetable like a spinach. 

• The leaves can be dried and used in the winter

• You can make Nettle beer with the leaves

• Make a nice pesto sauce with them (I would add some garlic mustard to it) 

 

Medical Use

• Older leaves are used as a laxative.  make in a tea

• Tea from the root can help with digestive, urinary issues.

•  Make a paste and apply to arthritic areas it help relive pain

•  Also great for muscle aches.

•  Nettle is a histamine, So it help with allergy's. 

•  Steaming the teas helps with Asthma

•  Chew on the leaves after dental work, it will help stop bleeding.

•  Or rinse with the tea to help treat Gingivitis

•  The extract from nettle can help with diabetes

•  Dry and powder the root to help with thyroid issues...help maintain its health.

Other Uses

•     Nettles is a green dye from the leaves and yellow from the roots

•    Stems are used to make sting and cloth Click Here

•     And yes you can make paper with it by boiling down.

•     It also can be used as an ethanol

•     You can use the oil of the plant for dandruff 

•     Plant in your garden, it attracts good bugs.

•     Or even make a plant food by soaking the plant in water for a week and water your garden with it

•      The stems are strong enough to make great fishing traps