ground ivy

Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea)

is a non-native, perennial plant in the mint family. Europeans brought this plant to North America, and it naturalized. 

 

Also known as creeping charlie, ale hoof, field balm, tun hoof, gill-over-the-ground, or run-away-robin.

It was used in brewing traditional herbal ales (gruit) in the middle ages. It was a common addition to beers before hops. 

 

Has been used to treat coughs, headaches, tinnitus, kidney diseases, fevers, flu, sunburns, diabetes, asthma, and indigestion.

 It has anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties. 

 

 

 

WEEDS

Taraxacum

Let me make the case for "weeds." 

One, in particular, that was and is still considered a delicacy in some places, and that many people use medicinally, that has been proven to help heal disease, harmless as air (depending on what air you're breathing) and chock full of nutrition, and so many other benefits, yet some people just can't wait to get out there and destroy them. What does it say about "the person" that makes it a mission to kill something that can ultimately only be beneficial? 

Brainwashed? Propagandized? 

When I look outside in April and see those little, yellow beauties peeking out from the newly growing grass I just get happy. The perky, sunshiny color, the sheer tenacity -- they seem to delight in just being alive... and then I notice the bees loading up on pollen and nectar and I AM SO, SO HAPPY... AND HOPEFUL. I can't wait to get out there and grab some greens or blossoms or maybe some roots and MAKE SOMETHING USEFUL AND VALUABLE! 

I know winter is finally over and I know how exceptionally good dandelions are as a food and a medicine for honeybees and other pollinators and also for humans. They contain so many valuable vitamins and minerals and are so versatile! Every part of the plant is useful! It is just about the PERFECT FOOD AND MEDICINE!

While people through the years have been propagandized and advertised and tricked into believing having a picture perfect "lawn" is a sign of being a "good" gardener or having good taste or high standards, nothing could be further from the truth. 

Number one: lawns are BAD for the environment. If short, crop-topped grass was good for the earth, it would cut itself. Period. 

Second: The amount of energy, time, money, toxic chemicals, etc. it takes to get a perfectly colored and manicured outdoor carpet is WASTEFUL in every way, shape and form. 

Not only is it wasteful, it is HARMFUL to the environment and any living thing in and around it for the most part.  Baby bunnies are hidden out there!

Golf courses, for example, are notoriously deadly.

There are legal proceedings going on right now based on scientific studies proving weed killers and the chemicals they contain CAUSE CANCER.

People have been brainwashed to believe the chemicals, tools, machines, etc. are necessary and good when they are, in fact, for the most part, completely unnecessary and there really is nothing good about them except that they make a shit ton of money for chemical companies. 

Traces of these toxic chemicals persist in the soil and water supply. Therefore anyone eating food grown in the soil and drinking water from land downstream is affected. These chemicals are shown in studies to negatively affect hormones and immunity, digestion and cause inflammation .and cancer.

Mother nature loves a mess. There is a reason. Diversity makes everything come together so that there is NO NEED to interfere. Diversity is what makes it all work. It makes for a healthy environment. 

There is nothing healthy about the way agriculture has evolved into monoculture crops, dependent on chemicals rather than implementing other regenerative, natural methods that work as well or better and actually make the output a hell of a lot healthier for human and animal consumption and that helps to enhance and fortify, rather than deplete the soil. 

People have been forced to forget that our IMMUNITY comes from the soil. Healthy soil is not DIRTY, it is LIFE! Natural foods, wild foods and herbs are not pagan magic, witchcraft, primitive quackery. Edible wild plants and herbs are free, effective and nutritious medicine. All the chemicals that KILL bugs and "weeds" are killing our own natural defense system and best nutritional sources. 

 People once believed cigarettes were healthy!

 

Edward Bernays

 

Not a lot of people know about permaculture or forest gardening, no-till gardening, foraging, re-wilding, etc., sadly, and that is by design.

Violets

Wild violets are native to North America.

They grow best in moist, fertile, cool and shady areas, but they grow in abundance as ground cover on sunny hillsides and fields, as well.

Classified as weeds they are considered very hard to control.

They are perennial, and have a very dense root system that can be hard to eradicate by pulling.

Violets grow where most grass will not.

The flowers are edible.

The blossoms are generally deep purple, but lighter shades and white variations are also frequent, and various tints may sometimes be discovered in different plants growing on the same bank.

Violets are said to represent faithfulness and devotion.

The violet is among the many herbs that were considered powerful against 'wykked sperytis.' Macer's Herbal (10th Century)

Violet was also used as a remedy for insomnia:
'For they that may not sleep for sickness steep this herb in water and at even let him soak well his feet in the water to the ankles, when he goeth to bed, bind of this herb to his temples. Askham's Herbal

Syrup of Violets was used for epilepsy, inflammation of the eyes, sleeplessness, pleurisy and jaundice.

The parts used medicinally are the dried flowers and whole plant fresh.

The flowers have a slight laxative effect and the leaves are an old popular remedy for bruises.

Preparations of fresh violet leaves have been used both internally and externally in the treatment of cancer. It is believed that violet leaves can allay the pain in cancerous growths, especially in the throat.

An infusion of the leaves in boiling water (1 in 5) has been administered in doses of 1 to 2 fluid ounces.

A syrup of the petals and a liquid extract of the fresh leaves are also used, the extract is taken in teaspoonful doses, or rubbed in, locally.

The seeds have been used as a purgative and diuretic and in cases of urinary complaints.

The chief use of the violet today is as a coloring agent and perfume.

Recipe:
Violet Salad
For pizzazz and color, simply add a few blossoms to a tossed salad. They go very well with endive.