A member of the mint family, henbit (Lamium amplexicaule) is a another common yard plant that’s often labeled simply as a weed. Known also as henbit deadnettle, this plant is a very nutritious and abundant wild edible.
Henbit is native to Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa. It is also present across North America and Canada. It was originally brought to North America as chicken feed where it got its name Henbit. It is also present in China, Korea and Japan.
All above ground parts of henbit which include the stems, flowers, and leaves are edible. The stems tend to get tougher as they mature. So younger plants are preferred. Although it is in the mint family, henbit doesn’t tastes like regular mint.
Some say this plant has a sweet and slightly peppery flavor. Others say it tastes almost like raw kale or celery.
They can replace leafy vegetables like lambs quarters or spinach. They can be used in endless recipes, from homemade pesto and soups to salads or stir fry.
You can eat them raw, cook them as a potherb, or boil them to make herbal tea.
Henbit is low in calories and rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. It has been used in herbal remedies to reduce fever, induce sweating, and treat joint aches.
It is also used in green smoothies to aid digestion and boost energy. And henbit herbal tea has stimulant and excitant effects which could help to relieve stress and anxiety. Eating too much Henbit can have a laxative effect.
Henbit has been used as a medicine since ancient times. It is said to be good for facial nerve palsy, sinusitis, jaundice, nausea, and hemiplegia.
Other medicinal properties are reported to include reducing swelling, promote blood circulation, treat muscle and bone pain, and paralysis of the hands and feet.
Henbit is said to be a source of fiber to regulate the digestive tract and iron to develop the protein hemoglobin for oxygen transport through the bloodstream.
It is documented in Chinese medical literature and is used to treat tuberculosis. It is used primarily as a medicine in China and Japan, while in Korea they use it as food.
Poultice of henbit can treat external bleeding, burns, bruises, stings, and wounds.
Henbit is anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammatory, so it’s great for relieving chronic pain, soreness, and stiffness. It can help with menstrual cramps and excessive bleeding.
Here is the video
Henbit looks very similar to deadnettle and ground ivy. Many people mistake these plants for each other and some think they are the same.
There are differences between the plants that you can study to tell them apart. But it’s not a big deal as all three are edible and nutritious.
Once again here is another awesome plant that is plentiful, edible, high in iron, vitamins, and fiber that is considered just a weed to be killed with toxic chemicals. The reality is that most “weeds” are superfoods that we should be eating instead of killing.
I have a bunch of Henbit in my yard and around my house. I think I’m gonna skip the pesticides and have a healthy salad instead!
References:
https://eattheplanet.org/henbit-the-elegant-and-nutritious-wild-edible/
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