Weeds for Food and Health
By Bernadette Torres, local NM Herbalista
Amaranth
Common names: Pigweed, Bledo
Scientific names: Amaranthus spp.
Nutritional values: Excellent source of protein, calcium, iron and vitamin A.
Their proteins complement those in corn, as they provide the essential amino
acid lysine in which corn is deficient. In Taos was used to treat heart
troubles. The flowers are boiled and strained to a tea, cinnamon and a very
little piloncillo (Mexican brown sugar) are added.
Chenopods
Common names: Quelites, Lamb’s Quarters, Goosefoot, Wild Spinach
Scientific names: Chenopodium spp.
Nutritional values: Excellent source for protein, Vitamins A, C, K,
phosphorus, magnesium, folate, fiber and significant quantities of calcium
and manganese. C. quinoa, is low fat, gluten free and has a low glycemic
index of 10.
Chia
Common names: Chia, Sage
Scientific names: Salvia hipanica, S. columbariae
Nutritional values: Rich in protein and oil, which is an excellent source of
Omega-3 fatty acids, exceeding the level in flax seeds. It is high in
insoluble dietary fiber and has a low glycemic index. It has higher
antioxidant levels than blueberries and is an excellent source of vitamins
and minerals such as phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, iron and zinc and has
exceptionally high levels of calcium.
Cota
Common names: Navajo Tea; Indian Tea; Green thread
Scientific names: Thelesperma spp. T. megapotamicum, T. filifolium
Nutritional values: small quantities of potassium, calcium, and magnesium.
Used to tonify kidneys and detoxify.
Globe Mallow
Common names: Yerba de la Negrita
Scientific names: Sphaeralcea ambigua
Medicinal values: Rinse for scalp & hair care- add body & condition, use in
wash for skin rash – children & elders. Use: decoction 4-6 oz 4X daily. No
toxicity & no threat of overharvesting. Can become invasive in cultivated
fields. Used for colitis, ulcers, sore throats, mild urinary tract
irritations and demulcent. Useful for insect bites and headache.
Jerusalem Artichoke
Common names: Sunchokes, Earth Apple, Sunroot
Scientific names: Helianthus tuberosus
Nutritional values: Rich in Potassium, Iron, and dietary fiber. One of the
richest sources of FOS (fructo-oliggosacharides -pre biotic), a preferred
food source for friendly intestinal bacteria. FOS comes primarily from
Jerusalem artichokes, asparagus, and soybeans. It acts as a strong synergist
for the implantation and growth of friendly bacteria. FOS is a plant sugar
which is non-digestible to humans. It passes through the digestive system
unchanged until it reaches the large intestine. FOS is also a top rate blood
sugar regulator. Also it contains the extract cymarin, which is similar to
silymarin, a great protection against liver conditions.
Malva
Common names: Mallow
Scientific names: Malva parviflora
Nutritional values: Is used as a food, a cataplasm, a cathartic; and because
of its demulcent properties, as a relaxing poultice in cases of external
inflammation. At Santa Clara Pueblo, it is used as a rmedy for headache. The
gound plant is made into a paste with addition of water and a small quantity
of sugar. This is applied over each temporal artery and on the forehead
between the eyebrows.
Mullein
Common names: Gordo Lobo
Scientific names: Verbascum Thapsus
Nutritional values: High in Calcium, Chromium, Cobalt, Magnesium, Manganese,
Niacin, Phosphorus, Silicon, Sodium, Vitamin A & C; Very high in Iron.
Mullein has traditionally been used to treat coughs, colds, croup, bronchitis
and asthma, hemorrhoids, ulcers, inflammatory skin disorders, and earaches.
Herb of choice for respiratory ailments.
Mustards
Common names: Tansy Mustard; London rocket
Scientific names: Descurainia spp.; Sisymbrium irio
Nutritional values: 23 percent protein, 13 percent fat, and 71 percent
carbohydrate. The presence of seed mucilage would indicate that the seeds are
low glycemic food. The seeds were widely used mixed with water and sugar or
salt to make a popular drink with a thicker texture, as they also produce a
gel just like chia and plantain. Also like chia seeds use mucilage to remove
eye irritants.
Plantago
Common names: Indian Wheat; Plantain; Woolly Plantain
Scientific names: Plantago spp.; P. patagonica; P. purshii
Nutritional values: Medicinal uses centered on a range of intestinal problems
but also were used for headaches, suppressing the appetite and to make a
person more agreeable. As with other gelatinous seeds, could be put in the
eye to remove an irritant.
Purslane
Common names: Verdolagas, Purslane, Pusley
Scientific names: Portulaca oleracea, P.retusa
Nutritional values: It is very low in calories and is good source of thiamin,
niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamins A and C, riboflavin, calcium, iron,
potassium, manganese and magnesium. Exceptionally high levels of Omega-3
fatty acids, which are essential for normal growth and development and may
play an important role in the prevention and treatment of coronary artery
disease, hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, other inflammatory and autoimmune
disorders and cancer. The leaves also contain melatonin, which stimulates
antioxidant enzyme production, has anti-inflammatory properties and inhibits
cancer growth.
Sunflower
Common names: Girasol, Sunflower
Scientific names: Helianthus annuus
Nutritional values: Good source of vitamins E and B6, thiamin, niacin,
riboflavin, folate, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, manganese and
selenium. The high fat content makes it a high energy food. The kernels could
also be ground into a paste that is used like peanut butter.
Wild Gourd
Common names: Calabazilla, Buffalo Gourd, Chilicote, chilicoyote
Scientific names: Cucurbita foetidissima
Nutritional values: Use pulp and seeds of gourd collected in late summer to
wash hair and clothes. Crushed leaves repel insects. NOT for internal
ingestion, moderate level of toxicity. Dig mature roots wash, macerate &
apply as fresh poultice for arthritis & joint pain. (M.Moore) Sow seed
indoors, early spring then plant after last frost. VERY drought tolerant.
Yellowdock
Common names: Lenqua de Vaca, Yellow dock, Curly dock
Scientific names: Rumex crispus
Nutritional values: Mineral rich in Iron. Excellent as a blood purifier and
tones up the entire system. Many Indian tribes have used its roots for
diarrhea.
Resources:
Nutritional Herbology
written by Mark
A Place at Mothers Earth’s Table volume
Healing Plants of the Rio Grande Valley
edited by Verónica Iglesias-Swanson and
Pedersen
I & II
written by Lisa W. Huckell
Hispano and Pueblo Uses of Nature
Carlos Vásquez