5 common wild plants you can use as medicine

When I say “use as medicine” I’d like to point out that these are in no way replacements for modern-day medicines, but rather things that can gently soothe or help with minor ailments. Throughout most of human history, we didn’t have a good understanding of germs and even though we knew about infection and sickness, we had no idea when it came to the different types of microscopic organisms and the effects they can cause, and more importantly how to stop them. For most of our time on this planet, we have only found out that using certain plants for certain ailments helps to aid them slightly, so here are 5 common wild plants you can use as medicine.

1) Plantain

A very common and easy to identify weed that grows across most of the northern hemisphere. Appearing mostly on grass-covered open areas, Plantain has two main uses when it comes to medicine, with the first being a great cure for constipation. Making tea out of the leaves is said to be a good way to help cure constipation, though I personally haven’t tried this one myself so can’t attest to its effectiveness.

The second use of this plant is to mash the leaves up with a little water and apply it to any insect bites. It provides relief quickly to the affected area and helps numb the pain of things like bee and wasp stings. As long as you’re not allergic and require an epi-pen then this is the fastest way to relieve the pain of an insect sting while out in the wild.

2) Lemon Balm

Apart from working well on a salad, lemon balm can cure cold sores and help you sleep. When the leaves are crushed up into a paste they can be used on any kind of sore, such as those caused by skin conditions or cold sores.

To make it into a tea simply clean some of the leaves and gently mash them with some boiling water, strain out the bits, and add a little sugar. This is a good way to help you get to sleep at night, and is apparently so effective it’s said to be similar to a weak sleeping pill.

3) Dandelions

All parts of the Dandelion are edible, though the leaves are worth avoiding as they’re very bitter. The medicinal use of this plant comes from its ability to help with stomach upsets and to aid indigestion. Some claim it works as a good tonic to help flush the gall bladder and liver, but I have no idea if there’s any science behind it.

When feeling a little too full or having general stomach pains, Dandelion tea is a sworn cure by many. Made in the same way as any other tea, but try to avoid using too much stem as it contains a white sap that slightly curdles in the water.

4) Burdock

Burdock is considered a pest plant by many a farmer who finds it growing around the edges of their fields. The main thing people don’t know about this plant is that it has a large tube-like root that’s not only a good size but tastes a bit like a nutty potato.

As for its medicinal benefits, the plant has long been used to treat skin conditions such as acne and eczema. This can be done in two ways, with the first being to boil some of the leaves and wrap them around the affected area at a temperature as hot as you can stand, and the second way is to make a tea or broth from the roots and leaves.

5) Yarrow

This reasonably common fern seems to be somewhat of a magical medicine from the number of things people claim it can cure. The plant has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, making it one of the few safe choices to put on cuts and open wounds.

If made into a tea it becomes a remedy for common colds and is also said to help with high blood pressure. There are even claims about how it can help prevent blood clots and tone varicose veins, though I would need to see the science behind such a claim before personally believing it.