As a gardener, if you have it in your garden, it quickly becomes a never ending love story. There simply is no way that you can seemingly get rid of the weed. No wonder the weed is also referred to as farmer’s plague. Another common name is also bishops weed or bishops curse. The plant’s root system spreads right below the surface of the soil, spreading an array of rhizomes and light underground runners. They quickly can form dense mats, rapidly growing on any given territory. If rhizomes or root fragments dumped accidentally it can be a very invasive species, quickly taking over, hindering other plant and tree sprouts to grow. It is a nightmare!
Once established, the weed is very very difficult to eradicate. As for every root pulled, no matter how carefully done, another two new root systems sprout from every piece left in the ground – at least this is what it feels like. Once you have it in your garden, it spreads so fast, you will barely have a chance to weed it out faster than it can grow back. Seriously!
I have focused a lot of my gardening efforts in recent years to weed out goutweed. I hear neighbours complaining about it for years! It’s tenacity simply drives you crazy. Weeding out goutweed simply is a wasted effort. But you can control it. And to be honest, it can be quite satisfying to pull out the weed, seeing immediate success 😉
Pulling out the weed doesn’t help but eating up is a possibility!
Imagine how surprised I was when I found out that the weed, happily growing away in my garden, my biggest nemesis, is edible. Not only that, the weed is known in folk medicine to show positive effects on gout and rheumatic diseases. In early days it was often cultivated in monastery gardens and Hildegard von Bingen highly valued the weed for its health benefits.
It contains high levels of minerals such as iron, manganese, potassium, magnesium, calcium, zinc and silica. It furthermore is a source of vegetable protein. It’s nutritious composition showing anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties. Because of the potassium contained in the plant, when drunken as tea, it can support bladder irritations and infections. Click here, if you would like to read more about healing teas.
It’s freshly squished leaves can be applied to insect bites, irritated skin and on sunburn as well as on swollen ankles (when treating gout and swelling of ankles, fingers and the like). Most often it is brewed as tea or eaten fresh.
What a gem growing there! Right in front of me. Ever since I found out about its potential, I aim for containing the weed in a corner of our garden, using it as a never ending source of salad-y kitchen staple. I include it fresh in my smoothies, salads and pesto, on buttered bread with a sliced tomato, chopped into an omelette, added to soup – be creative!
It is the perfect substitute for parsley, but a very mild parsley. It is particularly handy, if like me, you are no fan of the peculiar taste of parsley. Blanched, it tastes like spinach. Many describe its taste to be a mixture of spinach, carrots and parsley. While its main season is in spring, when the young leaves sprout and their flavour is at its best, as it is growing back rapidly you will always find fresh baby leaves to harvest.
Give it a go, rather than being irritated and infuriated by the plant – eat it! It’s organic, seasonal, regional, and for free! Making it a valuable source of natural compounds having many health related properties (and an inflation save kitchen staple).
Goutweed spinach with baked feta (1 serving)
- 1 feta piece
- 1 handful of goutweed, young leaves and stem, no roots
- 1 garlic glove
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- Some olives, sliced
- Some dried tomatoes, chopped
Preheat your oven to 180 degree. In an oven save dish, drizzle some olive oil, place in the feta (in one piece), add goutweed, chopped garlic and sliced olives and about a table spoon of chopped sundries tomatoes sun dried tomatoes. Season with pepper and herbs to your liking. Cover with a lid and olive in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes. If you do not have a small oven proof dish you can also place all the ingredients in tin foil, twisting the ends to make a package. Enjoy!!
Please be aware, that the goutweed is diuretic and deacidifying, therefore it may give your digestive system a kick start into action!
PS: if you read this coming from America, please be aware that in some states this plant is forbidden as it is considered too invasive and a foreign species.
If you read us from Europe – what are you waiting for, there is free food in your garden 😉
– with love –
Corina
Please note: As with all things in life, some things will have ripple effects and the amounts make the difference. So please don’t overdose on foods either. It’s always advisable to observe how your body reacts to natural remedies. Especially if you are on medication, suffer a medical condition, or are prone to allergic reactions and during pregnancy, it’s recommended to seek medical advice before starting any self-medication.
sown & uprooted 
Leave a comment