#### What are you looking for?

July 20, 2017

Healing Plants You Can Forage

By Allie Wisniewski, American Forests

Some of the most common plants growing around you are frequently dismissed as weeds, but many of them actually have medicinal uses you might find helpful! Read below to discover the hidden uses of these intriguing and underlooked parts of our ecosystem.

### Dandelion

Credit: Maky Orel

Chances are that you spent at least a small portion of your childhood making wishes with these iconic dandelion tufts. But did you know that they’re edible, and, even better, a superfood? There’s a reason I spotted dandelion greens at a salad bar not too long ago. While that should certainly add to their credibility, it’s rather unnecessary to spend $8.99 a pound for what most of the population considers a weed, especially when nature offers an essentially unlimited supply at no cost at all. Every part of the dandelion plant is edible, and offers an incredible variety of health benefits when consumed. Dandelion juice is known as a detoxifier, diuretic and antioxidant, and helps reduce cancer-causing free radicals in the body. Dandelion also helps to promote liver health and digestion, remedy anemia and reduce blood pressure.

### Stinging Nettle

Credit: Blick Pixel

While its name might allude to something you might generally avoid ingesting, stinging nettle is rich in vitamins and has been used for centuries to treat eczema, arthritis, gout and anemia. The leaves, stems and roots are all edible, though younger leaves are usually preferable in terms of taste, texture and nutrition. Remember not to eat them raw, however — the plant is called stinging nettle for a reason. For best results, add leaves to soups and stews (they make a great spinach substitute), or dry them and infuse with hot water to make tea.

### Chickweed

Credit: Hans Braxmeier

Chickweed is both hardy and delicate. One of the most common weeds found in suburban lawns around the country, it can also be found in deciduous forests, fields and pastures. Its flowers resemble tiny white stars, and while they are edible when cooked, the leaves contain a much higher concentration of nutrients. Unlike stinging nettle, chickweed greens can be enjoyed raw and are used to treat asthma and other lung diseases, obesity, vitamin C deficiency (scurvy), psoriasis and even rabies. It can also be applied topically to heal boils, rashes and ulcers.

### Broadleaf Plantain

Credit: F.D. Richards

I grew up seeing this plant cover every inch of my favorite parks and greenspaces, but of course knew nothing of its medicinal powers at the time. It’s no wonder that I saw it everywhere — turns out these plantains are invasive. That being the case, I generally advise against planting this species in your own garden, and instead recommend venturing into a field or local park where they’re likely already sprawling in abundance. Make sure, however, that the area isn’t chemically treated. Plantain&source=2) leaves are most commonly harvested for medicinal use, known to have antimicrobial, astringent and anti-inflammatory properties. They’re particularly rich in calcium and vitamin K, and are used topically to treat burns, cuts, sunburn, sores and boils. Internally, plantain helps improve liver and kidney function and can help to ease throat infections and common cold symptoms.

### Wood Sorrel

Credit: Andre Karwath

I remember a friend of mine once offering me a clover-shaped leaf, assuring me it was fine to eat and even tasted good — subtly tart like the skin of a green apple. Although I was hesitant, I tried it, and she was surprisingly right. Wood sorrel is a frequent visitor to my own backyard, and many others around the country. Its leaves, flowers and bulbs are all edible and medicinal. Considered a diuretic, it has a multitude of healing properties, used to relieve hemorrhages, cleanse blood, produce an appetite, and remedy ulcers in the mouth. Its juice is also known to reduce swelling and inflammation. What’s not to love? Add wood sorrel to your next salad for a healthy kick.

Featured Stories

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Subscribe

## What We Do

## Our Approach

## Resources

## Get Involved

## About Us

1220 L Street, NW,

Suite 750

Washington, DC 20005

Phone: 202.737.1944

Fax: 202.737.2457

Tax ID: 53-0196544

Connect with us online

American Forests is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Copyright © 2024 American Forests. All Rights Reserved. Created by Constructive

Manage Cookie Consent

We use cookies to optimize your user experience with our website.

FunctionalFunctional
Always active

The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.

PreferencesPreferences

The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.

StatisticsStatistics

The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.

MarketingMarketing

The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.

AcceptDenyPreferencesSave preferencesPreferences

{title}{title}{title}

Manage consent
Healing Plants You Can Forage - American Forests