This has been such a wonderful learning experience! I never would have known that the plants that I found on my property had so many uses. The one featured in this post, Catchweed Bedstraw, is regarded by many as a terrible weed, suitable only for being yanked out of the ground. However, the plant was used by the Native Americans as a relief for the rashes caused by poison ivy and stinging nettle. The young leaves can be steamed with butter and eaten and the roasted seeds make a good coffee substitute. Because it has hairs on the leaves and stems, the plant was formerly used as a sieve for straining milk. As an herbal remedy, it is said to be a diuretic, antispasmodic and was used for the treatment of psoriasis and eczema. I also read a story about a woman who had rescued a dog that had been hit by a car. After the dog had recovered from surgery enough to walk, it went out in the yard and munched on catchweed bedstraw for months. So the plant must have useful healing properties, also. Before you dismiss a plant as a “weed”, do a bit of research. You just never know!

Catchweed Bedstraw (galium aparine)