The Blessing of Weeds
I once asked a famous Nephropath where I would find plants that were most beneficial for our health. He said, “I would take a good look at the weeds”
Most weeds we have in our gardens aren’t native to New Zealand. They were brought here by the early settlers. Most were in fact their medicine cabinet. Before the days of Pharmaceuticals, people were well versed in using different herbs for their healing. Knowing this might change your view on weeds. Rather than throwing the weeds in the green bin, you could use them to make health tonics and teas. Below I’ve listed some of our most common weeds that have spectacular health benefits, this is just a short listing, but I would encourage anyone to google the full benefits of these plants.
Dandelion: A great blood cleanser. Life is in the blood; healthy blood translates into a healthy person. All parts of the plant are edible, tea can be made of the flowers, and coffee of the roots.
Nettle: A great friend for older men’s water works, helps reduce enlarged prostate, improving urination. May help reduce blood pressure, antioxidant properties may protect your liver against damage by toxins.
Cleaver: That sticky weed that climb over everything, it can be made into a tea, is great for lymphatic system, kidney, liver and Urinary Tract Infections.
Plantain: Has edible leaves, which help inflammation and digestive problems.
Yarrow: Once called the soldier’s woundwort, useful in staunching the flow of blood from wounds. Great help for nose bleeds.
Last of all I want to throw periwinkle into my list: It can be found in a lot of Canterbury gardens, originally used as a fire deterrent around homes. It can be a bit of a weed if let go. There’s quite a bit of it around the Ashley River. I used to go down and pick all the flowers, which are edible, and it’s a safe, natural brain booster, one of Nature’s most potent antidotes to the forgetfulness, brain fog, and confusion we normally associate with aging. Great for memory and puts you back in control of your mental function.
So may your weeds bless you with goodness.
Written by William
