8 Weeds That Are Good For Your Health

Weeds may irritate gardeners, but many plants growing wild up and down the British Isles are packed with superfood levels of goodness. We chatted to Roy Lamb, a pharmacist and co-founder of UK-based Nasslor Health-drinks – makers of Emunity. Here are a few weeds that Roy says deserve to be on a plate rather than in a compost bin.

NETTLE (Urtica dioica)

Exposed skin hates it, but the stinging nettle is incredible. Nettles contain essential amino acid levels comparable to chicken. Nettles also contain similar amounts of Omega-3 that you’ll find in spinach. And 100% of your recommended daily intake (RDI) of Vitamin A, up to 50% of Calcium, 20% of Fibre and up to 12% of Iron can be provided by nettles.

How to use it

There is a little work to do before letting a nettle pass your lips. To render the sting harmless, drop the nettles in a pot of boiling salted water for a few minutes, or they can be dried using a dehydrator, or they can be soaked in water for a few days. After this they can be converted into nettle pesto or soup, or as an infusion in tea. If that seems like too much effort, pick up a can of Emunity, a new healthy soft drink that harnesses the healing and immunity-boosting effects of nettle.

SHEEP SORREL (Rumex Acetosella)

This perennial small flowering plant is commonly found growing in back gardens is a good source of vitamins C and E, so sheep sorrel can contribute to a healthy immune system and glowing skin. It is also a very good source of antioxidants. 

How to use it

Sheep sorrel is best harvested in summer or early autumn, and it has a tart, almost lemony flavour. Add it to salads or add it to a stir fry.

Caution: due to its high levels of potassium oxalate, it should only be eaten in small amounts.

COMMON PURSLANE (Portulaca Oleracea)

Common purslane has succulent leaves that are an excellent source of nutrients and antioxidants. It is incredibly rich in potassium (494mg/100g), magnesium (68mg/100g) and calcium (6mg/100g) and it contains four different types of omega-3 fatty acid, useful for controlling cholesterol. Common purslane has some of the highest amounts of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and gamma-linolenic acid (LNA) of any green leafy vegetable (8).

How to use it

After washing thoroughly, the leaves of purslane can be eaten raw in a salad, or you can blend it with basil and pine nuts for a healthy pesto.

DANDELION (Taraxacum officinale L.)

As common as the nettle, but kinder to your bare bits, the dandelion is an important nectar source for many pollinators in early spring, and for you and I, recent research has shown that dandelion can reduce cholesterol, blood glucose levels , and inflammation. As a mild diuretic, it can also help if you are suffering from a UTI (urinary tract infection) or thrush.

How to use it

All of the dandelion plant can be used in various recipes, from petal-infused wine or honey to simply eating dandelion roots whole, just like carrots or parsnips.

BROADLEAF PLANTAIN (Plantago Major)

Nope, not the green banana relative used in African and East Asian cuisine. This leafy weed is often found by a roadside, and Broadleaf plantain has been associated with health benefits for centuries, with recent studies backing up beliefs that it is useful for enhancing the immune system, reducing the size of tumours, and protecting the gut. It is also an anti-inflammatory, anti-infective, antibiotic, antifungal, antiviral and antioxidant, and it is also high in calcium and vitamins A, C, and K. It can also be used to heal the skin when applied locally.

How to use it

Both leaves and the seeds of the broadleaf plantain can be eaten raw or cooked in stew or simply baked on their own.

LAMBSQUARTERS (Chenopodium album)

Also known as White Goosefoot, this is a fast-growing plant commonly found in gardens and the countryside, and raw, it has the highest amount of folate (97.5 ?g/100 g) of any commonly found weed. It is also rich in carotenoids (commonly associated with carrots) which can be converted into vitamin A, which is essential for growth, immune system function, and eye health. Lambsquarters also contains over 10% of your RDI of iron and magnesium, as well as both vitamins B6 (when steamed) and K.

How to use it

It should be washed thoroughly to get rid of the white powdery bloom and other debris, but after that, Lambsquarters can then be eaten raw in salads. However, steam or sauté and you’ll unlock more vitamin goodness. Any recipe that includes spinach, can include Lambsquarters instead. It is also yummy roasted on its own with some fresh garlic.

• Roy Lamb is a pharmacist and co-founder of UK-based Nasslor Health-drinks Ltd., makers of Emunity – the first detox health drink to harness the healing and immunity-boosting benefits of Nettle and make it available in a ready-to-drink can. Emunity’s founders are two UK pharmacists with a passion for helping people stay healthy. Taking an old family recipe they have blended nettles with English Garden Herbs to create a great tasting, refreshing drink loaded with immune boosting health benefits. It is 100% natural, with no artificial Ingredients and only 53 calories per can.