The MANY uses of Lambs Quarter....
Do you have Lambs Quarter growing in your yard?
Not only are the very mildly flavoured leaves high in vitamins and minerals, Lambs Quarter has medicinal properties I bet you had no idea about.
Only in the west is this precious plant considered a weed.
Externally, it’s chewed and made into a quick poultice for skin inflammation, sunburn, bug bits, minor cuts, and rashes. For internal use, Lambsquarters is typically prepared as a tea to treat or prevent diarrhea, stomachaches, scurvy, gout, and degenerative diseases.
Lambsquarters is an excellent source of vitamin A, higher even than spinach or kale. It’s also a good source of fibre, protein, and other vitamins and minerals that support a healthy body.
If you have it in your yard and want to give it a try, adding some chopped leaves to salad is a great way to introduce yourself to this edible plant. Even the seeds are edible and taste a lot like quinoa. It contains more iron, protein, vitamin B2, and vitamin C than either spinach or cabbage.
Don't overdo it though, Lambs Quarter has a fairly high amount of oxalic acid, which can contribute to kidney stones. Moderation is key.
Lambs Quarter roots make a great liquid soap. The roots are high in saponins, like english ivy.
Ingredients
1 cup fresh lambsquarter roots, chopped
2 cups flaxseed water (soak 1 cup flaxseeds with 4 cups water for 8 hours)
Essential oil (optional)
The roots have a good source of saponin and can be made into a soapy liquid by blending the roots with the slimy water that is drained off after soaking flaxseeds.
Directions
Cover 1 cup of flaxseeds with 4 cups of water, stir together and soak for eight hours.
Pour off water from flaxseeds. The soaked seeds can be saved and added to bread or soup or salad. It's the liquid you want for the liquid soap.
Blend flax water and lambsquarter roots together and strain out the pulp.
This slimy, sudsy mixture can be used as a body wash or used for light duty cleaning.
Essential oils can be added after straining for the additional benefit of their aromatherapy.
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