Health & Life

3 Common Weeds That Are Powerful Medicinal Herbs

Introducing the unassuming trio of plants that are often overlooked as mere weeds in your garden or roadside. These three humble herbs, with their unassuming nature, possess a hidden talent - they are powerful medicinal cures.

Administrator

28 July, 2024

Here are three common garden plants that are often overlooked but have great medicinal properties:

1. Vietnamese Mint (Cỏ nhọ nồi)

Vietnamese Mint is a small herb with hairy stems and oval-shaped leaves. Its most distinctive feature is its black ink-like color when crushed, earning it the name “grass ink”.

Vietnamese Mint treats various conditions such as hematemesis, epistaxis, hematuria, and melena.

In traditional East Asian medicine, this herb is believed to have a sweet and sour taste with a cooling property. It is associated with the liver and kidney meridians and is said to nourish the yin, tonify the kidneys, cool the blood, and stop bleeding.

Vietnamese Mint is used to treat a range of ailments, including hematemesis, epistaxis (nosebleeds), hematuria, melena, menorrhagia, chronic hepatitis, infantile jaundice, premature graying of hair, nervous debility, and urticaria.

Modern research has identified volatile oils, skin-softening agents, vitamins (PP and A), and tannins in this herb. The tannin content is particularly effective in stopping bleeding.

Additionally, Vietnamese Mint has antibacterial properties against certain staphylococci, diphtheria bacilli, and enterobacteria. It also boosts immunity, inhibits cancer growth, and improves peripheral blood circulation, especially in the scalp, resulting in smoother skin and shinier hair.

2. Sensitive Plant (Cây xấu hổ)

The Sensitive Plant, also known as the Shy Plant or Touch-me-not, is a small herb that is easily identified by its unique response to touch—its leaves fold inward when touched.

The Sensitive Plant has sedative, anxiolytic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, hypotensive, diuretic, and spasmolytic properties.

The scientific name of this plant is Mimosa pudica, and it belongs to the Mimosaceae family. Both the roots and the stems are used medicinally. The roots can be dug up at any time of the year, while the stems are typically harvested during the summer months, either fresh or dried.

The plant contains alkaloids such as mimosine and crocetin, as well as flavonosides, alcohols, amino acids, and organic acids. The seeds contain mucilage, and the leaves yield a substance similar to adrenaline. Selenium is also present in the leaves and fruits.

Research has shown that the Sensitive Plant has a wide range of therapeutic effects, including anti-venom activity against snake bites, anti-convulsant properties, anti-depressant and anxiolytic effects, and influence on the ovulatory cycle.

In traditional medicine, the plant is believed to have a sweet and astringent taste with a slightly cold nature. It is used for its sedative, anxiolytic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, hypotensive, diuretic, and spasmolytic properties. Modern studies also suggest that it can help with insomnia due to its central nervous system depressant effects.

3. Plantain (Cây mã đề)

Plantain, also known as Plantago asiatica, is a perennial herb with a short stem and spoon-shaped or oval leaves that grow in clusters at the base. It has been used medicinally for centuries and is associated with the liver, kidney, and large intestine meridians.

Plantain is used as a diuretic, to clear phlegm, benefit the liver, dispel wind-heat, treat bladder damp-heat, stop cough and asthma, and promote vision.

In traditional East Asian medicine, plantain is believed to have a sweet taste and a cold nature. It is used as a diuretic, to clear phlegm, benefit the liver, dispel wind-heat, treat bladder damp-heat, stop cough and asthma, and promote vision. It is also considered a tonic.

In practice, plantain is often used as a diuretic and to treat chronic coughs, tracheitis, dysentery, and conjunctivitis. The typical dosage is 6 to 12 grams per day in a decoction. It is also used as a cough remedy for children, although it may cause bedwetting.

According to ancient texts, those with excessive urination, constipation, non-heat-related lower energy, or kidney deficiency should refrain from using plantain. Fresh plantain leaves are also used topically to treat boils and abscesses, promoting their rupture and healing.

Frequently asked questions

The three common weeds with medicinal properties are Plantain, Dandelion, and Clover.

Plantain leaves can be used fresh or dried to make a tea that soothes digestive issues and reduces inflammation. A poultice made from the leaves can also be applied topically to treat skin irritations and wounds.

Dandelion roots and leaves are packed with nutrients and can be used to make tea or added to salads. They support liver health, aid digestion, and act as a mild diuretic.

Clover is rich in antioxidants and has been used traditionally to treat respiratory issues and skin conditions. It can be consumed as a tea or applied topically as a compress.

As with any herbal remedy, it is important to practice moderation and be aware of potential allergies. Consult a healthcare professional before consuming any wild plants, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medication.