Heh. When i was way young and dumber even than I am now. goodness, it doesn't seem possible. lol. But I was walking down a road and passing through a community we all called shantyville. Not to be confused with the community we called dogpatch where white people lived. I saw a black man bending over in a field, an overgrown and weedy patch and he was putting something into a bag. So I stopped and asked the old man what he was picking. He laughed and said I wouldn't understand it all, being as I was a white boy. He told me he was picking dandelion leaves for supper. I was like, huh? Dandelions!!! Eek. lol. And he laughed at the look on my face and explained to me he was going to make a salad of the young greens. And he further explained to me how he cooked the older leaves, too, and even made his own dandelion wine. All I ever knew about dandelions was that my mom hated them in the yard and I could pick the yellow flowers and rub them on my chin and make it yellow. lol. And, of course, I could pick the ripened flowers and blow on them and make snow. lol. Dandelions. They aren't just useless weeds. They are a source of nutrition as well as fun for kids to play with.

Polk salad greens are another plant that grows wild and I know around here it is plentiful! I have boiled and eaten these many many times. I am sure you can find a description online and some recipes too!

thank you for this most useful information :-)
learn a new thing everyday..

Now I wonder what other average plentiful things are better medicines than all these pharmo drugs. I'm sure there is a natural cure for all natural occuring sicknesses, perhaps even the man-made ones

Usually medications are made by compounds of natural substances. I just used the example before of St. John's Wort and cataracts. Many plants can cause sleeplessness, upset stomach, sleepiness, some can even cause severe reactions like seizures and heart attacks. Some cause rash, some cause things like infertility. Kava kava is a great herb but has been linked, like many other plants, to liver failure.

It's a common misconception that plants aren't dangerous.

Very true.
As the old saying goes, "Everything in moderation".

Some plants could even be said to be very spiritual in essence and when taken right on the right mindset can be very very beneficial in the on going quest of selfness and understanding of our 'UNI'verse

[edit on 20-5-2009 by eathis]

Kava kava is so not illegal. I have thought about getting some, for friends to try out. It is all over Ebay, and different health stores.

Kratom is the uber plant of choice, but it is also addictive... Still, great for someone in withdrawl from other stuff. And it has the value of being a natural 'happy happy'.

Nice topic. The really good stuff though, the FDA gets around to banning, so that only big pharma can use them.

Originally posted by lel1111
So this would be good to know, among many other things, it the SHTF in the worse way? I need to research to see what other "weeds" can be eaten raw. I live in a very urban area and there is very slim pickens in the way of wild plants.

If you go to www.youtube.com/eattheweeds that guy has a really great set of videos (whole channel actually) dedicated to educating people on what backyard plants are perfect for eating, and even how to prepare them, etc

It's great info, and thought you might like to see it Good for anyone else, as well, of course

Wonderful post.

Let me add another little known fact for everyone.

Most weeds in your yard are actually types of wild lettuces!
Yup that's right! Do alittle research on your 'weeds' before killing them as most have huge medicinal properties.