Weeds: Distractions
Weeds As Healers
TAILS: We loved our ten months in beautiful Cuenca Ecuador. On one of our daily walks I was so impressed I took this picture. Even in this small paradise they have fields of dandelions!
Dandelions are rich in vitamins A, C, E and B complex, calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, and zinc. They are also one of the highest sources of vitamin K1, needed for blood coagulation, but also involved in metabolic pathways in bone and other tissue.
Native Americans would boil dandelions in water and take it to treat kidney disease, skin problems, swelling, heartburn, and upset stomach. The Chinese would use it to treat stomach problems, appendicitis, and breast problems, such as inflammation or lack of milk flow. Europeans used it for fever, boils, eye problems, diabetes, and diarrhea. Today dandelion leaves are used as a diuretic to help the body get rid of excess fluid, improve appetite and generally tone the whole system.
Results others have reported: lower blood sugar, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure, reduced inflammation, anti microbial effects against Candida albicans, and aid in weight loss. Dandelions also contain the sugar inulin, which helps bowel health. Recently, they learned that dandelions contain large amounts of lecithin, which has been shown to prevent cirrhosis in chimpanzees. And the milky juice, applied 3 times daily for 7-10 days, was said to kill warts.
That was just dandelions. USDA’s Selected Weeds of the United States addresses 224 weed species, 93 of which also show up in Medical Botany and Use of Plants.
HEADS: God really did curse the ground FOR OUR SAKES. But what about BUGS? See Coin 19.
