Do you find your garden overrun with lamb’s quarters? You might consider it a weed and even clear it out for a tidier garden.
However, you may be surprised that this seemingly simple weed is a hidden herb.
In the following article, I’ll reveal ten amazing reasons why this plant should be valued rather than discarded.
You’ll soon view lamb’s quarters with newfound respect due to its remarkable health benefits.
#1. Nutrient-Rich
Lamb’s quarters is a remarkably nutritious plant, surpassing many common vegetables in its content of key nutrients.
It boasts high levels of vitamin A, with 11,600 IU per 100 grams of leaves, significantly more than both spinach and kale.
This plant is also abundant in calcium, vitamin C, and B-complex vitamins, offering about twice as much vitamin B1 and B2 and three times the vitamin C and calcium as spinach.
Additionally, lamb’s quarter provides a good source of protein, trace minerals, and iron, along with a high fiber content.
Its seeds are rich in protein, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and niacin, making it an excellent dietary choice for overall health.
#2. High in Antioxidants
Thanks to its valuable source of antioxidants, lamb’s quarters play a crucial role in protecting the body from oxidative stress and reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
This plant is rich in flavonoids and phenolic acids, two types of antioxidants known for their anti-inflammatory and disease-fighting properties.
Including lamb’s quarters in your diet can enhance your body’s defense against environmental stressors and promote overall health by neutralizing harmful free radicals.
#3. Supports Digestive Health
Consuming lamb’s quarter leaves raw is particularly beneficial as they are rich in iron, which can help combat anemia by increasing blood cell count and enhancing the vitality of the circulatory system.
Additionally, a tea made from lamb’s quarter leaves can be an effective remedy for diarrhea.
The nutrients and compounds in the leaves help soothe and regulate the digestive tract, restoring normal bowel functions and aiding overall digestive health.
#4. Anti-inflammatory Properties
Lamb’s quarters is a valuable herb for medicinal use, commonly utilized as an anti-inflammatory agent to help reduce swelling and pain associated with conditions like rheumatism.
Its natural medicinal qualities extend to being an anthelmintic, effective against intestinal worms, and a laxative.
This plant is also used to relieve urinary problems. These properties are outstanding in traditional and herbal medicine practices.
#5. Improves Bone Health
Lamb’s quarters is excellent for improving bone health due to its high calcium content (309 mg per 100 grams).
It contains more calcium than many common leafy greens. Regular consumption of this plant can help ensure adequate calcium intake.
North Americans often add lamb’s quarters to their diets by incorporating its leaves into salads, soups, and smoothies or cooking it as a healthy side dish to maximize calcium intake.
#6. Boosts Immune Function
The high levels of vitamins A and C help lamb’s quarter be an excellent natural booster for the immune system.
Vitamin A plays a critical role in maintaining the integrity of mucosal barriers.
While vitamin C helps protect the body against oxidative stress and supports various cellular functions of both the innate and adaptive immune responses.
Eating lamb’s quarter leaves can help fortify your body’s defenses against infections and ensure your immune system operates at its best.
#7. Skin Health
For a long time, lamb’s quarters has been a valuable herbal remedy for various skin issues.
The leaves can be made into a poultice and applied topically to treat bug bites, sunburn, and other skin irritations.
Additionally, a tea brewed from this herb can be used as a wash to heal skin irritations, insect stings, bites, and conditions like eczema.
This plant’s antioxidant properties help eliminate free radicals and promote skin repair.
#8. Natural Detoxifier
Lamb’s quarters serves as a natural detoxifier, thanks to its rich nutrient profile and high levels of chlorophyll.
Chlorophyll purifies the blood and enhances the body’s ability to rid itself of harmful toxins and heavy metals.
This plant’s ability to promote liver health and support the body’s detoxification processes is particularly notable.
Eating the green leaves can help improve liver function, eliminating toxins more efficiently, and improving energy levels and immune system function.
#9. Potential Diuretic
Lamb’s quarter is a versatile plant with potential diuretic properties. It has been traditionally used as a laxative, and sedative.
Additionally, its infusion is employed to treat rheumatism, and it is believed to possess anthelmintic properties against hookworms and other parasitic infections.
#10. Anti-Cancer Activity
The methanolic extract of Lamb’s quarters leaves shows potent anti-breast cancer properties.
These extracts achieve a 94.06% inhibition rate against the MCF-7 cell line at 48 hours and 100 mg/ml concentration, with an IC50 value of 27.31 mg/ml.
Lamb’s quarters not only provides significant health benefits but also adds nutrition to meals. This is a precious plant in your garden!
