Lamb’s quarter

Often cleared from the garden as a common weed, lambs quarter is an herbal goldmine. Along with dandelions, plantain, chickweed, and violets, this herb is a valuable source of nutrition that has been relegated to “pest” status. This rich source of calcium doesn’t bolt like lettuce and can be harvested all summer long.

Contents

• Uses
• Benefits
• Cautions
• Interactions
• Other names
• References

Uses

• Internally: Lamb’s quarter is eaten to relieve stomach aches and to prevent scurvy. A cold herbal tea made from the leaves can be taken to treat diarrhea.
• Externally: Lamb’s quarter leaves can be used as a poultice to treat burns and swellings. It can also relieve itching.
• Other Uses:  Lamb’s quarter is a rich source of vitamins and minerals like calcium, iron, phosphorus and vitamins A, B2, C, and Niacin. These nutrients are easily assimilated by the body by eating this herb. It can be eaten raw in salads or cooked like spinach. Excess leaves can be frozen for later eating.

Benefits

• Lambsquarter is an important source of food that can be considered a key staple, while at the same time it is also an extremely valuable medicine. When the leaves are chewed into a green paste and applied to the body, it makes a great poultice for insect bites, minor scrapes, injuries, inflammation, and sunburn. The greens are beneficial for soothing arthritic joint pain when chewed into a mash and placed directly on the sensitive areas.
• The leaves support the decrease of pain by reducing inflammation and bringing about an increase of circulation.
• A tea of the leaves is beneficial for diarrhea, internal inflammation, stomachaches, and loss of appetite. The tea can also be used as a wash to heal skin irritations and other external complaints. Soaking the body in bathwater with lambs quarter tea added will support skin health by toning and tightening the tissues.
• The green leaves, when eaten in their fresh raw state, are particularly beneficial for supporting the healing of anemic blood conditions. The leaves are exceptionally rich in iron and help to increase blood cell count and overall vitality of the circulatory system. The greens and seeds are very high in protein and phenolic content, and also have the significant antioxidant capacity for eliminating unwanted free radicals in the body.
• The roots contain a significant amount of saponin, which creates a natural soapy quality when mashed or beaten. In addition to the roots being extremely useful in making a cleansing soap, the composition of saponin also creates a cleansing and laxative effect in the body when drunk as a tea. Lambsquarter root tea is helpful for removing excesses from the body by the way of assisting elimination.

 

Cautions

• Lambs quarter does contain oxalic acid, so don’t eat excessive portions at one time, especially raw. If you have kidney problems, do not eat this herb. The crystals of oxalic acid can irritate weakened kidneys.

Interactions

N/A, Please consult with your doctor.

Other names

lambsquarters, Chenopodium album

References

Source: Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamb%27s_quarters

DigHerbs, http://www.digherbs.com/lambs-quarter.html

MotherEarthNews, http://www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/seasonal-recipes/lambsquarter-ze0z1412zcgp.aspx?PageId=2

WildBlessings, http://wildblessings.com/plants/lambs-quarter/