The ancient Romans, Greek, and Chinese ate these plants for centuries.
Modern Americans call them “weeds” and spray them with chemicals.
@winston_zin found 8 common garden weeds that contain more nutrients than kale, spinach, and broccoli:
- Dandelion Greens
Dandelion greens have more vitamin A per gram than Kale.
They also contain bitter compounds that help digestion and are extremely high in vitamin K.
Widely used in ancient medicine.
- Purslane
Has more omega-3s than any other leafy green in the world (300-400mg per 100g – way more than spinach).
It also packs vitamin C, vitamin E, and magnesium.
- Lamb’s Quarters
Looks like spinach but it’s way more nutritious.
It has more:
- iron
- zinc
- protein
- calcium
- magnesium
One of the most nutrient-packed greens ever studied.
- Stinging Nettle
Yes – it stings.
But it goes away once you cook it.
And what’s left is one of nature’s highest-protein leafy plants.
On a dry-weight basis, nettle contains 25-30% protein (almost like legumes).
- Chickweed
Great source of vitamin C.
People used to feed it to kids and the elderly because it’s easy on the stomach.
It grows in spring and tastes great raw in salads.
- Plantain (not the banana)
This common lawn weed contains mucilage – a gel like fiber that:
- Slows digestion
- Helps with regularity
- Soothes your gut lining
The seeds work like psyllium husk.
Young leaves can be cooked and eaten.
7. Wild Mustard
This is the ancestor of broccoli, kale, and cabbage. It contains more glucosinolates than store-bought greens. These compounds break down into sulforaphane (widely studied for cellular protection). Peppery taste. Best cooked with butter or olive oil.
- Mallow
Rich in mucilage too (like Plantain)
It coats and protects your gut lining and soothes inflammation.
Greeks, Romans, and Middle Eastern cultures ate it during illness.
Very mild, soft texture when cooked.
Perfect for soups.
[Via: @winston_zin / Impakt CEO (Winston)]