Do It Yourself Weed Medicine©

 

SAMPLE RECIPES from  ~ Healthy Recipes From Granny’s Cupboard~

 Nasturtium - Black Rice Summer Salad

 

Ingredients

 

 

Put water in medium saucepan bring to a boil; add rice and salt- cook covered for about 1/2 hour. Strain and put into a large mixing bowl. Drizzle ample amount of olive oil onto the rice- about 1/4 to 1/2 cup. Stir and then cover with a lid while you chop and then sauté the following in a hot iron skillet with lots of olive oil: Green onions, garlic, green and red pepper. When the veggies are finished, add to the rice along with walnuts, raisins and black pepper, stirring gently.  Squeeze the juice of 1 lemon over this rice mix and let the whole thing cool slightly before serving.

 

Serve on bed of mixed greens and gently arrange a generous handful of Nasturtium flowers (which you’ve just picked) on top.  Get ready for the oooohs and ahhhhs of your delighted dinner guests! 

 

Healing benefits of ingredients:

 

1. Black/Wild Rice- Contains Protein, Fiber, Phosphorus, Iron, Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium, Manganese, Zinc, Copper- other trace minerals.

 

2. Green onions- contain protein, calcium, sulfur, vitamin A, B complex, C and E. They contain sulfur compounds and have anti-inflammatory effects. Like garlic, onions have the antibiotic oil-  allicin, which gives them their pungent flavor.

 

3. Hot pepper- contains capsaicin, which is responsible for the pungent taste and healing properties including: digestive antiseptic, general tonic, stimulant, blood cleanser, antimicrobial, circulatory and general pain killer.

 

4. Black pepper- contains volatile oils, alkaloids, proteins and minerals. Has the following healing actions:  circulatory stimulant, diuretic, cerebral stimulant, reduces infection, diaphoretic (induces sweating), astringent (tightens mucous membranes) and stimulates sinuses to drain.

 

5. Green pepper- has lots of vitamin C and A, some vitamin K and fiber. They’re rich in many phytochemicals, which work to heal the body.

 

6. Red pepper - excellent source of vitamins A and C- more  than green peppers. Also contain lycopene- an antioxidant, which may lower the risk of certain cancers- prostate, lung and stomach.

 

7. Garlic- has antibiotic, antiviral and antifungal properties- being used for boosting the immune system, lowering blood pressure, assisting treat-ment of heart disease, cancer and lowering cholesterol.

 

8. Raisins- contain natural sugars and many trace minerals too- Boron (required to convert estrogen & V- D to their most active forms), Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Zinc and Selenium. They also contain oleanolic acid,- highly effective in killing bacteria.

 

9. Walnuts-  rich in Omega 6, which converts to Omega 3 in the body. Walnuts are thought to protect against heart disease. They have more polyunsaturated than saturated fats, a healthier mix than most nuts.

 

10. Olive oil- is made of fatty acids, vitamins, volatile components, water and microscopic bits of olive. Primary fatty acids are oleic and linoleic acid with a small amount of linolenic acid. The flavenoid polyphenols in olive oil are natural anti-oxidants and have beneficial effects for lowering cholesterol, blood pressure, and risk of coronary disease.

 

11. Sea Salt-  natural balance of sodium, magnesium and potassium- helps to lower blood pressure and promote good health.  Mineral salts create electrolytes, the sparks of life, which carry electrical currents to cells throughout the body. Electrolytes are necessary for enzyme production. Enzymes are needed for breaking down food, absorbing nutrients, muscle function, hormone production and much more. Electrolytes and enzymes are linked to healthy immune function, regulation of fluids, and adrenal health.

 

12. Lemon Juice- considered sour, cooling and alkaline. Is antipara-sitic, antiseptic, astringent, mucus resolving and refrigerant. Lemon juice is used medicinally to treat asthma, bronchitis, colds, fevers, gallstones, headaches, indigestion, obesity and neuritis. It helps cleanse the liver, stimulating bile production and helping to lower cholesterol.

 

13. Nasturtium flower- has a sweet, pungent, peppery flavor. Its medicinal qualities include- antiseptic, and expectorant- good for chest colds. It also promotes the formation of new blood cells.

                            

 

 

If eating flowers is new for you, please do try the Nasturtium.  Its mild peppery flavor is sure to set you taste buds hopping!  I particularly like the buds, just before they’ve opened. They come in an array of colors, from light yellow to shades of red and orange.  (The color orange is warm, cheering and non-constricting. It has a freeing action upon the body and mind- relieving repressions. Orange stimulates creative thinking and enthusiasm, while it stimulates respiration and digestion. It also increases activity of the thyroid and gently relieves muscle cramps and spasms.) 

 

 

Sheep Sorrel- Couscous Salad

Sheep Sorrel has a wonderful lemony taste and is loaded with minerals,

especially iodine- very much needed by your thyroid.

 

Ingredients

 

 

Put the broth into a medium saucepan and bring to boil- add couscous and onion. Remove from heat. Cover and let stand 5 min. Stir in hot pepper, cinnamon and black pepper. Cool. In a large bowl, combine couscous mixture with artichoke hearts, tomato, sweet pepper and raisins. Wisk together the olive oil and vinegar; pour over salad, tossing gently to coat. Serve on a bed of Sorrel leaves- toss on some beautiful little Ground Ivy flowers and a few Pecans.

 

Healing benefits of ingredients:

 

1. Couscous- yellow granules of semolina from durum wheat. Contains carbohydrates, fiber, potassium, protein, sodium, selenium and zinc.

 

2. Green onions- contain protein, calcium, sulfur, vitamin A, B complex, C and E. They also contain sulfur compounds and have anti-inflammatory effects. Like garlic, onions have the antibiotic oil-  Allicin, which gives them their pungent flavor.

 

3.  Hot pepper- contains capsaicin, which is responsible for the pungent taste and healing properties that include: appetite stimulant, carminative activities, digestive antiseptic, general tonic and stimulant, blood cleanser, anti-microbial, circulatory tonic and general all-around pain killer.

 

4.  Cinnamon-  the constituents in cinnamon bark called procyanid, help maintain the body's ability to metabolize glucose. These polymers also help cells utilize insulin, while also giving support to healthy levels of lipids.

 

5. Black pepper- contains volatile oils, alkaloids, proteins and minerals. It has the following healing actions:  circulatory stimulant, diuretic, cerebral stimulant, reduces infection, diaphoretic (induces sweating), astringent (tightens mucous membranes) and stimulates sinuses to drain.

 

6.  Artichoke- is used for detoxifying the body, assisting in chronic liver toxicity and diabetes. It is diuretic, increases blood circulation, regenerates liver tissue and stimulates the gall bladder. Artichoke is said to reduce blood lipids, serum cholesterol, and blood sugar.

 

7. Tomato- Lycopene in red tomatoes, is a potent antioxidant. Tomatoes can also reduce high blood pressure.

 

8.  Green pepper- One medium green pepper has 180 %  RDA of V- C, 15%  RDA of V-A, 25% RDA of V- K and some fiber. Peppers are rich in phytochemicals-  beneficial in different ways than vitamins, targeting specific parts of the body.

 

9.  Raisins- contain natural sugars and many trace minerals too- Boron (required to convert estrogen and V- D to their most active forms), Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Zinc and Selenium. They also contain oleanolic acid,- highly effective in killing bacteria.

 

10.  Pecans- blood cholesterol levels are lowered when you eat pecans, because of their unsaturated fats. They  contain antioxidants and sterols, which slow the oxidation of LDL (bad) cholesterol.

 

11. Olive oil- is made of fatty acids, vitamins, water and microscopic bits of olive. Primary fatty acids are oleic and linoleic acid with a small amount of linolenic acid. The flavenoid polyphenols in olive oil are natural anti-oxidants- shown to have beneficial effects for lowering cholesterol, blood pressure, and risk of coronary disease.

 

12.  Balsamic vinegar- in Medieval times, balsamic vinegar was valued for its healing properties. The name is a derivation of the word “balm”, which in turn is derived from the Latin term “balsamum” that refers something that acts as a healer with soothing properties. One of its earliest folk uses was to prevent catching the plague.

 

13. Sheep Sorrel-contains vitamins C, A, B complex, D, E, K, P and U. It contains the minerals:  calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, silicon, iron, sulfur, copper, iodine, manganese, and zinc. It’s actually a great source of Iodine, if you’re deficient- could help w/hypothyroidism. And it tastes great! Guaranteed you’ll love it.

 

      

 

14. Ground Ivy flowers-  medicinal properties have been described for millennia to treat inflammation of the eyes and tinnitus, as well as being a diuretic- it’s useful in kidney (Urinary Tract Infections) diseases and as a digestive aid.

                   

 

You may never look at this ‘ weed ’ in the same way- ever again!  The whole plant of Ground Ivy is edible and medicinal, but the tiny flowers are most interesting.  Yes, it’ll take time to harvest them, but once you come to appreciate their beauty, you won’t mind at all.  Never mind that neighbors will think you’re crazy! In the not so distant future, they’ll be following your lead.....it just takes a little while for some folks to wake up, that's all!