Lamb’s Quarter, Goosefoot, Chenopodium album

Lamb’s Quarter is also called chualar, pigweed, and also goosefoot from the shape of its leaves. Lamb’s quarter likes moist areas and grows near streams, rivers, in open meadows, and wet forest clearings. It is found throughout the world. It is a member of the Amaranthaceae (Amaranth) Family. Identification: Lamb’s quarter looks like a dusty weed from a distance. The alternate toothed leaves are light green on top and whitish on the bottom. They are somewhat diamond-shaped or shaped like a goosefoot. The leaf surface is waxy and rain and dew rolls right off the leaves. Each leaf grows up to 4 inches (10 cm) long and the entire plant is usually 2 to 4 feet (0.6 to 1.3m) tall. Lamb’s quarter produces tiny green flower clusters on top of spikes in summer. The flowers are densely packed together along the main stem and upper branches. Each flower has five green sepals with no petals. Its seeds are small, round, and flattened. Branches are angular, somewhat ridged, and striped with pink, purple, or yellow. The stems are ribbed and are usually stained with purple or red. Edible and Other Use: In the USA this plant is considered a weed; however, in some places, it is grown as a food crop. The young shoots, leaves, flowers, and seeds are all edible and can be used like spinach. Lamb’s Quarter appears on my plate quite often. I find it a delicious and nutritious addition to my salads and even grow it in my garden. It has a strong, slightly sweet flavor. The plant does contain oxalic acid so smaller quantities are recommended when eaten raw. The seeds of this herb should be cooked or soaked in water before use. The soaked seeds can also be ground into a powder to use as a flour. Lamb’s quarter roots can be crushed to make a mild soap substitute as it contains saponins. Medicinal Use: The plant is very nutritious and contains a rich source of vitamins A, B-2, C, and Niacin and minerals like calcium, iron, and phosphorus. It has been used as a vegetable to treat scurvy and other nutritional diseases.

Soothing

Burns: Use a poultice made of the leaves to soothe burns. Bruise the leaves and place them on the Goosefoot, Photo by Rasbak, CC by SA 3.0 burned area. Apply a clean cloth over them and leave in place for a few hours.

Skin Irritations, Eczema, Bites, Itching and

Swelling: A poultice made from simmered, fresh lamb’s quarter leaves can be applied to treat minor skin irritations, itching, rashes, and swelling. It soothes the skin, reduces inflammation (it is an anti-inflammatory), and helps the skin heal. If fresh herbs are not available, use a compress made with Lamb’s Quarters Decoction. For internal inflammation, lightly steam the leaves and eat them as a vegetable.

Digestive Issues and as a Mild Lax-

ative: Its leaves are loaded with fiber. This fiber makes it very effective in preventing and treating constipation. Cooked leaves loosen the stools and increase bowel movements.

Taken internally, lamb’s quarter relieves stomachaches and digestive complaints, including colic. You can eat the cooked leaves and stems while eating beans to relieve the gas caused by them. Even easier, cook the leaves and stems in the pot with the beans. Relieves Pain from Arthritis and Gout: Apply a poultice made from fresh, simmered lamb’s quarter leaves directly on the skin above the inflammation and pain to treat arthritis and gout. When fresh leaves