7. Edible wild plants

Did you know that many wild plants are not only edible, but also nutritious and medicinal?

In Portugal, there are many wild edible species rich in vitamins and minerals, which can be added to foods or used medicinally.

Let's take a look at some of them!

1. Pellitory-of-the-wall - Parietaria judaica

edible parts: leaves

use: fresh or in infusions

benefits: diuretic, relieves symptoms of urinary tract infections and kidney stones

2. Bermuda buttercup - Oxalis pes-caprae (invasora)

edible parts: root, leaves, flower and stems

use: fresh in salads or cooked, crushed on wounds to help healing

benefits: source of vitamins and minerals

3. Carqueja - Genista tridentata

edible parts: stems and flowers

use: in infusions or in the preparation of rice

benefits: used to relieve digestive system problems, urinary tract infections, sore throats

4. Conchelos - Umbilicus rupestris

edible parts: leaves, stems and flowers

use: raw in salads and smoothies, crushed to treat wounds and insect bites

benefits: contains calcium, potassium, iron and vitamin C

5. Serralha - Sonchus oleraceus

edible parts: root, stems, leaves and flowers

use: raw or cooked, in smoothies, salads and soups

benefits: rich in vitamins A, B, C and K, antioxidants

6. Hortelã brava - Mentha suaveolens

edible parts: Leaves, flowers and stems

use: in cold or warm infusions, in salads and desserts

benefits: analgesic, antiseptic and tranquilizer, facilitates digestion

7. Murta - Myrtus communis

edible parts: leaves, flowers and fruits

use: edible flower, leaves in infusions

benefits: astringent, used to treat urinary infections or disinfect wounds

IMPORTANT:

Although these herbs are edible, we must be careful where they are harvested. They are often located near the edges of fields where pesticides are used, where animal urine and car pollution may also be present. Even in rural areas, they can be contaminated by pesticides or unsafe water sources.

To learn more about edible herbs, PANC (Unconventional Food Plants), I recommend this book by Fernanda Botelho.

Explore !