Secret Stories of the Weeds: Henbit & Deadnettle
In early spring, Henbit and Deadnettle are some of the first ‘weeds’ on the scene. Neither plant is native to North America, and they likely arrived here in the pockets of early settlers, because both have important medicinal properties. They are also often confused, and understandably so. They both bloom in early spring and have similar characteristics since they are from the same family, the Mint family, (kissing cousins, if you will). Hopefully this picture of them side by side will help clear up any confusion.
Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule)
I happen to be rather partial to henbit. I think it’s a really interesting little wildflower. Henbit has been used as a medicinal herb for centuries. Henbit was used in the past to treat fevers and ease body aches. Many people claim it has some energy boosting effects and may also help reduce anxiety. While I do not claim to know much about these claims, I do know that henbit is full of vitamins and minerals like iron and vitamins A, K and C. All aerial parts are edible, so you can throw them in a salad or make a tea out of them. That said, just because it’s in the mint family does not mean it’s got mint’s characteristic sweetness. Henbit is decidedly green in flavor.
Most biologists consider henbit a naturalized weed, at this point. That said, it tends to grow in open field and lawns, so the lawn industry and big Ag do have a dog in that fight and consider it ‘invasive’. Hmmmm. Wouldn’t it just make more sense to forage this lovely little ‘weed’ and use it for its medicinal benefits rather than pour more chemicals into our ecosystem?
Besides its incredible medicinal qualities, Henbit also has another important feature. It’s nature’s kazoo. You can actually pluck the little flowers and blow on them like a bugle, which is how it gets it’s other common name: Fairy Horns.
Check out this video below to hear the magical sound of the Fairy Horn! You should also know that if you blow these horns at just the right time, the Queen of the Fairies will appear and grant you a wish!
Purple Deadnettle (Lamium purpureum)
Like Henbit, Deadnettle is also considered a weed, but it too has some amazing medicinal properties. It is anti-inflamatory, so you can put it on bugbites or stings to help ease pain. Just grab a leaf, chew it up, and then pop it on the affected area. It can also be used to stop bleeding. In the past, Deadnettle was used as a diuretic and there are claims that it can help with kidney stones as well. Some people tincture it and use it as a seasonal allergy remedy, because it acts as an antihistimine. Like Henbit, many also claim that it has an energy boosting effect as well.
And did you know that Deadnettle also has the distinction of being a shoe locker for centipedes? Check out this little video that explains why:
Isn’t that a sweet story? I found it in Leif Bersweden’s book: Where the Wild Flowers Grow—which is a wonderful read by the way.
I hope you have enjoyed learning about Henbit and Deadnettle, two “weeds” that certainly deserve some respect, and should certainly be spared from chemical eradication.
Let me know what you think in the comments below. I’d love to hear how you use these weeds or if this has helped you rethink their weedy status?
