I am big fan of ancient knowledge, that you can find in old dusty books long forgotten on a shelf, a treasure kept secret until someone dust off that old book, and learn again.
I am an equal fan of technology, and what it can bring to us, we have a sea of information at our disposal, and only enjoy a fraction of it.
Once the first Tesla Bot will be released on the market, I don't know if I'll be buying the first one, but I certainly will be tempted by the 3rd or 4th generation of these robots to help around the farm 😁.
Today, I've decided to put technology to good use, helping me identifying all the herbs, weeds, around our land. I also take advantage to put my daughter to sleep, if you don't mind.
If you want to know more about the app I used, here is a link
Nettles
We had countless amazing posts about nettle on hive, so I am going to direct you to them instead of repeating what has already been said:
Spring Foraging Nettles and Cleavers and What To Do With Them
Why I'm a Nettle Pusher Plus a Couple of Creative Ways to Use Them
Just by reading these few posts, I've learnt an incredible amount of information, I know now that it's an antioxidant, a powerful diuretic when combined with cleavers or goosegrass.
I've also learnt how to cook it, make a tea with it, and it's apparently very nutritious, promotes blood circulation, can heal the liver, and I am forgetting a whole bunch!
One important info that I got, is that you can get rid off the stinging by leaving it in the fridge overnight, thanks
Apple Mint
The App was telling me it's Apple Mint! I had no idea there were different types of mints, mint has always been mint for me!
After digging a little bit online, I've discovered that apple mint, pineapple mint, and peppermint are from the same family. Apple mint seems to be a little bit milder, so probably more versatile to use.
Our favourite use at home is for tea, it's easy, comforting, with a bit of honey, just a wonderful drink.
There are countless benefits in using mint, here are the most known:
- Nutrient Rich
- Improve Digestion
- Improve Brain function
- Decrease breastfeeding pain
- Help with cold symptoms
I know that my son, from a very early age, got attracted by this plant. I always think it's because he has a very green energy, and by this I mean the colour green (like his strongest chakra), and I can't prove it, but I am sure the chlorophyll in the mint is the reason for his attraction.
I also think it just has a calming scent, and if he is anything like his dad, it will have a calming effect on him too.
Bracken Fern/ Eagle Fern
Man, my knowledge is very limited for this plant. I knew people use it as an ornament, but I opened a whole can of worms, learning that in some part of the world, people eat ferns!!! Even here on hive:
- Eating ferns in Sarawak, Malaysia
- I also found an article online about it being carcinogenic
- But also found an article talking about its medicinal benefits
So, my take is as there are more than 10 000 species of ferns, some of them are nasty, and some are good, in other words, we are very much like ferns 🤓
Wood sorrel
What the hell is this? It's pretty, I like it. can I eat some? Yikes, that's bitter.
The sorrel, called sometimes Indian Sorrel or Oxalis, is a very ancient plant, used in Ayurvedic medecine, in holistic science, I found all these incredible info in this article, and learnt, learnt, and couldn't stop learning.
Beta carotene, is what you need to remember about sorrel, and also flavonoids, here is what sorrel can do:
- Prevent blood clots
- Reduce cancer risks
- Help with asthma
- Protect against cardio vascular disease and slow cognitive decline.
Can also create kidney stones when ingested in large quantity, so beware!
Wood Cranesbill
I am ashamed to admit that I thought it was mugwort from afar, wood cranesbill is also called wild geranium, and was used by the native American to tread dysentery and diarrhoea.
After digging a little bit more, I've discovered that the rhizome was used as a powder by The Ojibwe or Chippewa, to help cure canker sores, and help with gum inflammation, and even used by the Blackfoot tribe to stop haemorrhages (haemostatic properties).
Its high concentration in tannin makes it an astringent and an antiseptic! But...can you smoke it?
Nope...Stop constantly asking this question please...
Broad bean
Just a bean...Farmer in the area like to plant it during winter, and let the plants break down on the land to create Nitrogen.
This little guy probably got lost!
Yellow Loosestrife
Right now, that application identified this plant as a yellow loosestrife, but it's hard to tell now that the plant isn't flowering yet, as it flowers from April to September.
If it's the case, it seems to have almost the very similar properties to wood cranesbill, you can add to the list expectorant, and also antiseptic as it was used to clean wounds.
The herb is astringent, and demulcent, and of course I didn't pull these info out of my ass. It's been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years, incredible...
Dandelions
Dandelions is a superstar, not only he/she is one of the coolest, but I don't know anyone that hate it, it's pretty unanimous across the globe, pretty as f***, yummy, and hanging out on its own like a cool kid...
If you are interested, and I know you are, here is list of its benefits:
- Help with inflammation
- Anti-oxidant
- Lower blood pressure
- Reduce Cholesterol
- Boost Immune System!!
- Can help curing cancer!
- Promote a healthy liver
- Good for your bones!!!
I got my info from the INTERNET which everyone knows is pretty accurate!!
Buttercup Fail
Yeah, as you can see, technology isn't 100% accurate, and needs some work, but I believe it was the angle of the picture that prevented the app to recognize it.
Does buttercup has benefits you may ask? Yes, my dear friend, it does...
- Help with headaches
- Help with joints (ah!)
- Help with Shingles
- Help with pains
and also:
- All parts of the plant are poisonous.
Wait...What? Oh man! (spits out the flower)
Conclusion
I managed to put the little one to sleep in my quest for weed(s), and learn a bunch about plants, they can all heal and also kill you, so make sure to only smoke a small amount 😌
I straight up tag 
