Jun 2, 2013

Pineapple Weed

 

    Pineapple Weed or Wild Chamomile can be a usefull plant to know. I've found it growing in several places, usually in hard packed poor soils such as around walk ways or where vehicles or farm machinery travel.
It is related to Chamomile but it lacks the petals, the flower of the plant is shaped somewhat like a pineapple and when crushed it smells and tastes quite like pineapple.

   Some of the uses for this plant from my research is that it can be used as a natural insect repellant when the flowers are crushed and rubbed on the skin andcan also be used to treat scratches that are getting inflamed.
As a tea a teaspoon of the flowers steeped for half an hour can be used as a calmative or for stomach disorders, or when feeling rough such as when getting a cold.

Before using any plant do your own research and make sure it is safe for human consumption, I prefer the Peterson Feild Guides as they will usually list look alike plants that can be harmfull if consumed.

Stay Safe
Bob