Horse Weed: As for food, young leafy seedlings and young leaves can be eaten after boiling, dried leaves can be used as a seasoning with a flavor similar to tarragon. American Indians pulverized the young tops and leaves, eating them raw, similar to using an onion. Per 100g of dry weight the leaves have a small amount of protein and fat, more fiber, good amount of carbohydrates, 8.2 grams ash, 1010 mg of calcium, 280 mg phosphorus, and 2610 mg potassium. An essential oil of Conyza is used to flavor candy, condiments and soda. Fresh leaves contain 0.2 – 0.66% essential oil. Ragweed’s medicinal properties include: astringent, antiseptic, emetic, emollient, and febrifuge. Early American physicians recognized ragweed’s medicinal uses, and Native Americans valued it as a topical and internal remedy. Healers and herbalists prepare remedies from the roots and leaves. Crush the leaves and apply the juice to soothe insect bites and poison ivy rashes. Native Americans prepared a poultice from crushed leaves to relieve swelling and prevent infection. Ragweed also provides aid for internal ailments. Herbalists value ragweed root tea as a remedy for nausea, fevers, and menstrual disorders; Native Americans used the root tea as a laxative. For years, Ozark herbalists have treated diarrhea with tea prepared from the leaves. Ragweed pollen is used in homeopathic remedies for treatment of hay fever symptoms. Some caution is required in using ragweed as a remedy. Other medicinal herbs, such as chamomile, mugwort, and sunflower, are related to ragweed. Individuals who are allergic to ragweed may also be allergic to its relatives. Amarath or pig weed: While all parts of pigweed plants are edible, some parts have more popular uses than others. For example the young plants and growing tips of older plants make nutritious vegetables that can be boiled like spinach or eaten raw as salad. The seeds of pigweed are also very nutritious, and can be collected by shaking the tops of the older plants. These seeds may be eaten raw, cooked as hot cereal or mush, ground into flour, popped like popcorn, or any number of ways (Kindscher 1987: 19). Amaranth seeds are high in protein (15 to 16 %), high in fiber content (~8%), and contain nutritionally siginificant levels of Vitamins A and C (Mallory 2007: 57). The greens are rich in iron, calcium, niacin, and vitamins A and C (Hodgson 2001: 78). When choosing amaranth plants to eat remove any sharp spins that may be present on some varieties. Also, stay away from plants growing along major highways or that may have been sprayed with herbicides, because of the dangers of lead poisoning from automobile exhaust or other poisons (Hodgson 2001: 79). Amerindians in South, Central, and North America commonly used amaranth as a vegetable and a grain.
Posted on: Sun, 13 Jul 2014 01:35:10 +0000
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