Is It Just a Weed?

Invaded! The Purple Dead-Nettle is taking over!

Help! My flower garden is being overrun by weeds!  Or is it?

It’s springtime and you may be noticing some small flowers that you didn’t plant in your flower beds. Are they just weeds or something much more valuable?  Today we are going to talk about Lamium purpureum, also known as Purple Dead-Nettle.

You have probably noticed the nice purple hue to some yards near you or along the sides of the road. Purple Dead-Nettle is native to Europe and Asia, but it has also found its way to North America. It loves disturbed ground such as roadsides and open areas such as fields and lawns. It is quite invasive and can quickly take over a pasture.

 

Cone-shaped leaf pattern and flower head.

Purple Dead-Nettle (Lamium purpureum) is a member of the mint family and not, as the name implies, the nettle family. It likes the cooler spring weather. It blooms in late March to early April. Its leaves have a cone shape growth pattern with the smaller, more tender leaves at the top. The flowers are pinkish to purple in color and emerge from under the upper most leaves. Its stem is distinctly squared with soft white hairs.

The leaves and blossoms Purple Dead-Nettle are edible. It has a flavor like spinach and can be added to salads or used in place of spinach in soups and other dishes. I like to add it to pesto. It is high in Vitamins C, A and K, iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese and fiber.

Purple Dead-Nettle also has medicinal purposes. It has both anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, and its fresh leaves have been used throughout history in poultices for cuts and other external injuries. It also has diuretic, diaphoretic and purgative properties. Its leaves can be dried and made into a tea to help with late winter colds and seasonal allergies. Its diuretic properties help to support proper kidney function. Due to its purgative properties, a maximum dose of 6 to 8 ounces of tea daily is recommended.

Small, white hairs on leaves and square stem

So, before you pull that weed. Stop! You may be throwing away something vital to your health and wellness. 

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Peace,

Tammy Deatelhauser, LMT BCTMB

Young Living Member 1521964

FDA Disclosure

I am a licensed massage therapist with training in culinary herbalism. I am not a doctor. Posts in this blog are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Also, these thoughts and opinions do not represent Young Living. Young Living products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult your physician before making any changes. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

References:

www.foragecookferment.com

www.sarcraft.com

www.chestnutherbs.com

Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: Lawrence Newcomb

A Peterson Field Guide to Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs (Peterson Field Guides)