This is the time of year gardeners are out working in their flower beds, yard, gardens... How quickly we yank out something we don't recognize because "we didn't plant it there". Becoming more wise as I age gracefully, I have learned to question, and wait long enough to be able to identify.
Such is the case with a "thick" form of quack-grass in my front flower bed. The stems were definitely more thick than usual and the plants, three of them total, were a cluster of thick-stemmed grass, unlike the quack. So I let it go, curious what God had planted for me. (Two years ago Poke Root showed up in my backyard, which is not a zone 4 plant - the root has been used in medicinal medicine for years... amazing how God works.)
I waited for the mystery grasses to bloom - as it was near time with buds about to reveal the plant's true self. Yellow blooms - almost dandelion like. As I have misplaced my wildflower identification field guide, I opted for a google search....and identified Yellow Salsify
A member of the aster family, all parts are edible – with the stems preferred when young. It is often substituted for asparagus. One of God’s natural medicines, Mashed root has been used as a poultice for stings. The nutty like flower has a high amount of inulin, which makes it beneficial for diabetics. Inulin is a pre-biotic type of fiber that increases the presence of bifido bacteria in the large intestines. Bifidobacterium helps reduce carcinogenic enzymes in the gut, and gives the immune system a boost. It also helps with cleansing and constipation. The root is often used to make a tea to reduce active bladder and/or stomach pain, fevers, diarrhea; and is also said to reduce joint pain for those with rheumatic arthritis.
Salsify root tea is also reported to assist in lowering blood pressure, sore throat, break down kidney and gallstones, UTIs, improve bone density and aid in digestion.
Currently I am collecting dandelion, burdock and a bit of curly dock roots to make bitters…perhaps I will uproot one of my three plants and add a bit of salsify root into the concoction. I am so glad I let the mystery grass be, let it grow, bloom and now I can reap the rewards of its arrival in my front flower bed!
If you would like to learn more about Yellow Salsify visit the Herb Hound blog. And the next time you are ready to yank an unknown “weed” up by its roots, won’t you consider asking God instead, what He has blessed you with for your benefit? May you be blessed abundantly with His healing intentions.
Happy foraging,
Rita S.
Such is the case with a "thick" form of quack-grass in my front flower bed. The stems were definitely more thick than usual and the plants, three of them total, were a cluster of thick-stemmed grass, unlike the quack. So I let it go, curious what God had planted for me. (Two years ago Poke Root showed up in my backyard, which is not a zone 4 plant - the root has been used in medicinal medicine for years... amazing how God works.)
I waited for the mystery grasses to bloom - as it was near time with buds about to reveal the plant's true self. Yellow blooms - almost dandelion like. As I have misplaced my wildflower identification field guide, I opted for a google search....and identified Yellow Salsify
A member of the aster family, all parts are edible – with the stems preferred when young. It is often substituted for asparagus. One of God’s natural medicines, Mashed root has been used as a poultice for stings. The nutty like flower has a high amount of inulin, which makes it beneficial for diabetics. Inulin is a pre-biotic type of fiber that increases the presence of bifido bacteria in the large intestines. Bifidobacterium helps reduce carcinogenic enzymes in the gut, and gives the immune system a boost. It also helps with cleansing and constipation. The root is often used to make a tea to reduce active bladder and/or stomach pain, fevers, diarrhea; and is also said to reduce joint pain for those with rheumatic arthritis.
Salsify root tea is also reported to assist in lowering blood pressure, sore throat, break down kidney and gallstones, UTIs, improve bone density and aid in digestion.
Currently I am collecting dandelion, burdock and a bit of curly dock roots to make bitters…perhaps I will uproot one of my three plants and add a bit of salsify root into the concoction. I am so glad I let the mystery grass be, let it grow, bloom and now I can reap the rewards of its arrival in my front flower bed!
If you would like to learn more about Yellow Salsify visit the Herb Hound blog. And the next time you are ready to yank an unknown “weed” up by its roots, won’t you consider asking God instead, what He has blessed you with for your benefit? May you be blessed abundantly with His healing intentions.
Happy foraging,
Rita S.
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