All the wild plants that grow in the field have their function and we can use many of them, either to feed ourselves, or to make infusions, or to make creams and ointments.
That is why we have begun to identify the plants that grow on the farm and investigate their function in the ecosystem, their relationship with other plants and the uses that humans can give them.
Thanks to the PlantNet application it is easy to take photographs of the plants, their leaves, their flowers, barks and identify them. Although it is true that, depending on the quality of the photo, it may not identify it 100% at first, it is a great tool for this job.
Below you can see the ones we already have documented:
Milk thistle or Borriquero thistle
Silybum marianum
Very common biennial plant in Europe that belongs to the Asteraceae or Compositae family.
Properties
This plant has essential oil, flavonoids, silymarin, histamine, mucilage, bitter principles and tyramine, among other components. Milk thistle has hepatoprotective, antihemorrhagic, hemostatic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, digestive, cholagogue, antipyretic, venotonic, antidepressant, antitumor, cardioprotective properties.
Applications
- It is a great protector of the liver.
- Stimulates the regeneration of liver cells
- Improves recovery from cold and flu
- Helps eliminate toxins
- It is used to combat cystitis
- Relieves headache
- Delays aging
- Fight dizziness
- It is beneficial in cases of fatigue
- Eliminate or reduce hemorrhoids
- fever decreases
- It is recommended for asthma
- Improves ailments of the pancreas
- Combats stomach acidity or ailments
- It is recommended for diabetes
- Facilitates blood circulation
- Stimulates the expulsion of bile
- Protects the cardiovascular and nervous system
- Recommended for the prostate gland
remedies
- It can be taken by preparing an infusion with a teaspoon of dried plant for every cup of water.
- Another way to use Milk Thistle is to prepare a tincture for internal use.
- We can make an oil infused with milk thistle at home and use it externally
Dandelion
Taraxacum officinale
This perennial plant found in many regions of Europe and the American continent. It belongs to the Asteraceae or Compositae family.
Properties
The medicinal properties of dandelion are due to the combination of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds, such as beta-carotene and polyphenols, chicoric, chlorogenic and taraxinic acids, phytol and tetracosanol.
Applications
- Dandelion greens can be eaten cooked or raw and serve as an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and K. They also contain vitamin E and folate.
- Regulates metabolism
- Helps control sugar levels.
- Stimulates the secretion of insulin.
- Regulates glucose levels.
- Reduces the absorption of fats.
- Promotes cholesterol control.
- regenerates the liver
- anticancer action
- Improves digestion
- prevent infections
- Improves the condition of the skin
- constipation treatment
- Decreases fluid retention
- Treatment for skin conditions and acne
- Improved bone health
remedies
Dandelion leaves, stems and flowers can be eaten in their natural state and raw (in a salad, for example) or eaten cooked. The root is usually dried, ground, and consumed as a substitute for tea or coffee.
The recommended doses for the different presentations of dandelion are:
- Fresh leaves: 4–10 g/day
- Dry leaves: 4–10 g/day
- Leaf tincture: 0.4–1 teaspoon (2–5 ml), three times a day
- Juice of fresh leaves: 1 teaspoon (5 ml), twice a day
- Fluid extract: 1–2 teaspoon (5–10 ml), daily
- Fresh roots: 2–8 g/day
- Dry powder: 250–1,000 mg, four times a day
Blackberry
Elm-leaved bush
It is a shrub, family of the Rosaceae and known for its delicious and edible fruits.
Properties
Its fruits offer enormous nutritional properties. They are extremely rich in anthocyanins , plant pigments that have a reddish color, with enormous antioxidant properties that protect eyesight and capillaries in an excellent way.
They are rich in vitamin C. Just one serving of raw blackberries has 30.2 milligrams of vitamin C. That's half the recommended daily value. Vitamin C is essential for the production of collagen in bones, connective tissue, and blood vessels.
Excellent contribution of vitamin K. It is the reason why it does not bleed excessively when it has been cut: it helps the blood to clot. Vitamin K also has an important role in bone metabolism. Vitamin K deficiency can lead to weight loss and bone fractures. It can cause easy bruising, heavy menstrual bleeding, and bleeding in the stool or urine.
Just one cup of raw blackberries provides nearly 29 micrograms—more than a third of the recommended daily value—of vitamin K.
High in manganese content, it is vital for healthy bone development and a healthy immune system. It also helps your body metabolize carbohydrates, amino acids, and cholesterol. Like vitamin C, manganese plays a key role in the formation of collagen. And the enzyme that helps manganese form collagen, prolidase, also helps wounds heal properly.
Applications
- heal wounds
- regenerate the skin
- Fight free radicals (molecules released by toxins) in the body
- assimilate iron
- Decrease the common cold
- scurvy prevention
- Lower cholesterol
- Stimulate regular bowel movements
- Control of blood sugar levels by decreasing the speed of sugar absorption
- Lose weight by making you feel full longer.
- Supply energy to nourish healthy gut bacteria
- For such a small fruit, blackberries are high in fiber. A cup of raw berries has almost 8 grams.
- It can help reduce the formation of cancer-causing substances in the body. Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant that can also reduce oxidative stress in the body that can lead to cancer.
remedies
- The fruits are edible, the infusion of three of these fruits in a few jars of boiled water is diuretic and reduces intestinal inflammation .
- The infusion of three blackberry leaves in a jug of boiled water is a powerful febrifuge , it is used to combat malaria. This same infusion in washes is used against erysipelas and inflammation of the eyes. In baths it is used to relieve burning and stinging caused by allergies and other skin conditions .
- For inflammation of the womb, the infusion of the blackberry root is taken three times a day (for a jug of water, a piece the size of a big finger is used). This same infusion, adding half a leaf of "matico" is a powerful remedy against leucorrhoea or vaginal discharge.
- The decoction of four blackberry leaves in a jug of water is used as a drink to combat internal bleeding, diarrhea and dysentery .
- Cooking 4-5 fruits in a jug of water gives excellent results against diarrhea , it is an effective remedy to combat dropsy, liver and spleen disorders .
- The decoction of the blackberry root (two pieces the size of a big finger) and a “Khuru” leaf (better if it is janq'o Khuru or white Khuru) in a bottle of water, is used as a drink, in baths and lavages against relapse (puerperal fever).
- The decoction of a tablespoonful of the leaves, the dried and ground flowers of the blackberry in a bottle of water, is used in gargles, it acts against inflammations of the mouth and throat .
- For scalds , when they are very strong, it is advisable to wash them with the decoction of 5 roasted blackberry leaves, two Plantain leaves and one Matico leaf, for two bottles of water.
- The decoction of 25-30 ripe blackberry fruits and a piece of "Raíz de la China" (Smilax) (the size of a matchbox) in two bottles of water, is used as a remedy to disintegrate gallstones and the bladder .
- The decoction of a full teaspoon with the powder that results from grinding a dry piece of the blackberry root and a teaspoon with the powder that results from grinding the dry root of Sanu sanu (Ephedra) in a bottle of water is a remedy to lower the blood pressure .
- The cooking of 5-10 blackberry leaves, two Plantain leaves and one Matico leaf in a bottle of water is used in washings as a remedy that helps a lot to cure spundia .