Frenchweed is easy to reproduce, so you can find it everywhere in the wild. Sometimes it even finds its way into our vegetable beds. Instead of tearing it up by the roots in annoyance, give it an opportunity to demonstrate its good taste.
Is french herb edible and how can you use it?
French herb is edible and rich in nutrients such as iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, vitamin A and vitamin C. The parts of the plant that can be used are leaves, flowers and seeds. It can be used raw in salads, smoothies or pestos, or steamed like spinach.
The usable plant parts
It could well be that the people who fight or ignore Frenchweed simply don't know that it is edible. The following plant parts can be used in the kitchen:
- leaves
- Flowers
- Seeds
Tip
French herb is available both hairy and hairless. When it comes to food preparation, both types are used in the same way.
The good ingredients
Like almost every wild herb, French herb, whose second name is button herb, is chock full of he althy ingredients. First of all, these are:
- Iron
- calcium
- Magnesium
- Manganese
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
Use in the kitchen
French herb is as versatile as other green leafy vegetables. Its taste is described as similar to salad, which is why young, tender leaves can enrich salads when raw. Raw leaves are also an ideal ingredient for freshly prepared smoothies or pestos. It can be prepared steamed in a similar way to spinach.
Tip
Wonderful, delicious and naturally he althy sprouts can be grown from dried seeds all year round.
Use as a medicinal herb
French herb not only tastes good, it also heals. In his Peruvian homeland, his healing powers are still highly valued today. It is a good source of energy during regeneration phases after serious illnesses. A tea made from dried or fresh leaves or flowers helps with gastrointestinal problems. The list of its healing effects could go on for a long time.
Collecting Frenchwort
If it hasn't gotten lost in your own garden, buttonweed can also be collected in nature. With a height of around 60 cm, it is easy to spot. Look for it near fields and along roadsides.
You can recognize French herb primarily by its small flowers. They have a yellow center and usually five short, white petals. The collection period begins in April. Further information about this wild herb can be found in our profile.
Tip
You can also plant the French herb specifically in the garden. It prefers a loose, humus-rich and dry soil, then its growth can hardly be stopped.
