The mineral magnesium is necessary to the human body. Magnesium regulates the absorption of calcium and forms part of your teeth and bones; regulates contractions of the heart muscle; relaxes the bronchioles of the lung so air can pass through easily; and relaxes skeletal muscle to relieve menstrual and other cramps. Magnesium is in many foods and in all green plants. Several herbs are a good source of magnesium.
Magnesium and Plants
Magnesium is part of the chlorophyll which gives green plants their color. All green plants contain magnesium. Some common herbs can be a significant source of magnesium. Older herbal sources often refer to these mineral-rich herbs as "bone-builders" or "blood-builders." It was understood that eating or taking these plants as tea could help heal broken bones and strengthen people with blood disorders.
Nettles (Urtica species)
The stems and leaves of the common stinging nettle are rich in magnesium, calcium and potassium. Prepared as a tea, people have used nettle to relieve leg cramps and menstrual cramps. You can also steam the leaves and eat them in salads or cook them into soups. Handle the fresh plant very carefully to avoid the stingers, and do not eat it raw. Nettles grow in temperate climates all across the United States and they are often available at farmer's markets.
Dandelion (Taraxicum officinale)
The dandelions in your backyard are a good source of magnesium and other minerals. People use both the root and the leaf medicinally, and each part supplies some magnesium. Dandelion root nourishes the liver and is a common ingredient in detoxification formulas. Dandelion leaf is a popular dish all over the world: fresh in salads, sauteed with olive oil, cooked into soups and brewed into tea. Medicinally dandelion leaf serves as a diuretic.
Chickweed (Stellaria media)
You may know chickweed as an unwanted invader in your garden or yard. But it is a good source of magnesium and calcium. Chickweed got its common name because it is a healthy food for chickens, and it is a healthy food for humans too. You can brew it into a tea, eat it as a salad or cook it in a soup. You can also use it topically to soothe and heal minor wounds.
Precautions
Although the herbs mentioned above are generally safe, always consult your doctor before adding an herb to your diet or supplements. If you are picking your own herbs, avoid any field or lawn that has been treated with chemicals like weedkillers or pesticides, and be very sure you are choosing the right plant. Buying herbs from an organic farm or growing your own plants is safest.
References
- "Medical Nutrition From Marz", Russell B. Marz, N.D., M.Ac.O.M., 1999.
- Stanford University: Your Healthy Garden
- "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth"; Sharol Tilgner, N.D., 1999
- "The Wise Woman Herbal: Healing Wise"; Susun S. Weed, 1989
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