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Talkback: Eating weeds

Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
in Talkback
Please note that medical advice is for people NOT to take dandelion if they have gallstones or gallbladder problems without consulting their doctor. There appears to be no scientific evidence for improvement of these conditions, and in fact the plant can cause inflammation of the gall bladder along with other side effects. Even Holland and Barrett offers this warning.
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  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    @whizzyfarmer
    Probably why Kate said "while, according to folklore,"...
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    In the war dandelion root was dried and ground to make "coffee". Wild garlic is great but the secret of enjoying all salad weeds is to catch them young and tender to avoid bitterness.
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    When I weed my veg plot I always throw the weeds into my chicken run. The hens love them and often eat the roots as well. Weeds converted into eggs!
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    Nettle soup is superb, very healthy but use only the tender little leaves at the top of the plant, so you need a fairly big patch to collect enough
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    I think I will continue weeding mine out, dandilions grow like cabbages in my garden and would be tough as old boots.
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    Fascinating - I had no idea you could eat Himalayan balsam or knotweed - the things you learn every day never cease to amaze me!
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    Sorry everyone I should have made more clear the fact that I only eat the freshest, youngest leaves. I also harvest them before the plant has flowered, as this can sometimes make the leaves taste bitter. Also, those wishing to make nettle soup should only harvest the tips of the plant. It’s well worth finding patches growing in hard-to-reach places, as they’re less likely to have suffered the attentions of dogs!

    Happymarion – I’d heard about dandelion roots being ground into a coffee, but had no idea this was used in the war. Did you drink it? Did it taste good?

    Dave Hamilton – thanks for the info. I’d heard of knotweed being edible but didn’t know about Himalayan balsam. Perhaps we should take a different approach to eradicating them from our wild areas by eating them! Just a word of caution to everyone – Japanese knotweed and Himalayan balsam are two of the most invasive weeds in the UK and cause huge problems – out-competing with native plants and upsetting the local ecosystem. Don’t be tempted to start cultivating them in your garden!

    Kate
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    We had dandelion coffee(in milk) at Guide camp every evening and went out like a light when we got into our sleeping bags(home-made from old blankets). It is supposed to be good for insomnia, but of course we had always spent a hectic day in the open air anyway!
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    How ironic that something called 'coffee' could be good for insomnia. Fascinating, thanks for sharing

    K x
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    my weeds cant be smoked for some wierd reason maybe its not the right weed
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