Red clover – can also be found on the side of roads. check scientific name. There are 100 different species of clover. Contains estrogenic compounds and many isoflavones have shown to prevent cancer and contain rich source of antioxidants. This plant is mainly used in menopausal treatments. It’s also used as a blood purifier because of it’s antioxidant activity. So this is a really good plant to know if you wanting it as a blood purifier. Some other interesting things about this plant is that it also contains phytoestrogens which has been known to be used in hormone replacement therapy. Some other commons uses of this plant if used in conjunction with white clover can stimulate blood flow and help with common cold treatments. Another use of interest is that it can improve enlarged prostate conditions.

Wild Lettuce – there are many varieties of wild lettuce and many can be used interchangeably and used for the same reason. A noticeable feature with wild lettuce is the white milky sap that is exuded if you cut one of the leaves. The sap can be used for a sedative of a nerve tonic, a really good plant to use to calm you before bedtime. Another use for the sap is to rub it on warts and with frequent use can remove warts entirely. Other uses is are help with whooping cough and asthma. Overall a very handy plant to be familiar with.

Jewel weed – Used for cases of poison ivy rash or dermatitis, also eases the pain for mosquito and bug bites. It has roundish leaves and small teeth like feature along the side of the leaf. There’s two different types of jewel weed, the yellow jewelweed and orange jewel weed. Both flowers are the exact shape however with two different color types, orange and yellow. The medicinal feature of this plant can be found in the stem. Jewel Weed will not prevent poison ivy rash but will alleviate  most of the itching. Eczema is also a symptom that it can help with and nettle rash.

Lobelia Inflata – Is a delicate whitish blue flower. You will notice white specks along the margins of the leaves. Also known as an Indian tobacco as it was smoked in place of tobacco in the 18^th century. Can be used as a sedative and as a purgative to expel toxins by making one vomit. It can be combined with plantain to be applied to poisonous snake bites. This plant can be used in combination with other plants to increase their effectiveness, such as ginger and yarrow. Take caution with this plant because if used too much can put you into a coma. Some other uses are to sooth sore muscles and help with alcohol recovery.

Yellow Wood Sorrel – there are a large variety of wood sorrel species in the United States but the two most common are the yellow wood sorrel and the purple wood sorrel which is much larger than the yellow wood sorrel. Wood Sorrel is and oxalis species as it contains oxalic acid. If taken too much it can absorb calcium but medicinally it has a high vitamin C content to help treat scurvy. It can be added to tea with other herbs to help calm a sore throat. It’s leaves can be chewed and has a citrus like flavor and was extremely important to early settlers. It can also help with fever, sore throats and mouth sores.

Common Plantain – there are two different species of plantain the broad leaf and narrow leaf common plantain, they can be used interchangeably. They are a plant hago species which are commercially domestic source of psyllium which come from the seeds. They are very good at lowering cholesterol. Can be used in a poultice on top of skin infections, cuts and bruises. Another use to dig up the whole plant and add to a bath to relieve sore muscles. Can also help with cough and dermatitis.

I hope you enjoyed your first introduction in how to identify six plants found in most backyards. We commonly overlook the obvious and many of us are unaware of the power that common plants can provide us. Not only they are free and but our body reacts more favorably as they are found in nature.

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