Author: daracasey

Tarassaco Officinale

One of the best known and widespread wild plants. As well being a rich source of nectar and pollen for the bees, dandelion has a huge a variety of culinary and medicinal uses.

Nutrients: Vitamins A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Iron, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium

Parts Used: Roots, Leaves, Flowers, Buds

Medical Uses: Detoxify Stomach and Liver, Clearer Skin

Culinary uses:
-Its leaves and flowers are used in salads.
-Its young buds are tasty when fried and salty.
-Its leaves and flowers are uses to make wines and tonic drinks.
-Its roots can be roasted and prepared like coffee.

Here is a simple guide for making Dandelion coffee.

Symphytum officinale

Comfrey is an invaluable plant to have in the medicine cabinet, as well as in the garden. It’s hairy leaves and fleshy roots can be applied externally heal all kinds of injuries; burn, stings, cuts, bruises, or sprains. First recorded over 2000 years ago by Pliny the Elder, the medicinal uses of this plant remain as effective today.

Medicinal uses: Healing wounds, bones, burns

Important Compounds: Allantoin, Rosmarinic Acid, Mucilage

Parts Used: Roots, Leaves

Preparation: Salve

Caution: Comfrey has a long history of internal use to treat ulcers. However, it contains a number of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can damage the liver.

Other Uses:
-Comfrey is full of potash and nitrogen, and can be made into a fertiliser.
-Comfrey is what’s known in permaculture as a ‘dynamic accumulator’. It’s long roots brings underground minerals to the surface, and makes them available to other plants in the garden.

Here is a simple guide to make a comfrey salve.

Stellaria media

Chickweed is a widely dispersed and nutritious edible herb. Growing across the ground, its succulent stems can reach lengths of around a meter and a half.

Nutrients: Vitamin A, Vitamin B complex, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Calcium, Potassium, Phosphorus, Zinc, Manganese, Sodium, Copper, Iron, Silica

Parts Used: Stems, Leaves, Flowers, Seed Pods

Medical Uses: Anti-inflammatory

Caution: Chickweed contains saponins, which can be toxic in large doses. However, you would have to consume several kilos of Chickweed to induce toxic effects.