The Secret Life of Sow Thistle
Written by our member Samantha Barker- Biophilia Apothecary
For many gardeners, Sow Thistle is just another pesky weed that needs removing, but do you know her secrets? Sow Thistle is actually a potent powerhouse in both the kitchen and the medicine cabinet.
With several species growing all over the globe, we are lucky enough to co-exist with three of them here in Australia: the native Sonchus hydrophilus, Sonchus asper and Sonchus oleraceus. With each plant producing as much as 25,000 seeds and a germination rate of around 90%, there is rarely a short supply of this edible weed.
So, what can we do with Sow Thistle? Great news is that all parts of this plant are edible. We can use the leaves, the stalks, the roots and the flowers!
From a foodie perspective, Sow Thistle is a fantastic salad green when picked young and a robust bitter green that is great to cook with when older. The Greeks love to do a quick boil and toss it with a little olive oil, a squeeze of lemon and a good amount of salt. In New Zealand, Māori culture refer to Sow Thistle as Puha and is used in traditional boil ups. In our household, this little plant features heavily in our wild green salads and we even dehydrate the excess to add to our wild food spice mix.
The green leaves are rich in vitamins and minerals and make a delicious tonic herb to add to our everyday life. The roots can be used in teas, stews, broths and slow cooked meals. The sap can be used to remove warts when applied daily. You can safely use this method until the wart drops off. Their flowers make beautiful salad garnishes and can be made into a flower essence.
The essence of Sow Thistle has been used to help clear old hates and bitterness from the heart and allows us to move away from extreme drama in our lives. She calms our inner waters of the heart and is a fantastic essence to use in the springtime. Think of her as an emotional detoxifier, out with the old to make room for the new.
These are just a few ways of incorporating this little weed into our lives. She is resilient and reminds us that even in tough situations, we still have the ability to bloom.
Now you know some of her secrets, I encourage you to sit with her, explore her tastes and her medicine, build a relationship and listen to watch she has to say. Who knows, Sow Thistle may just share another of her secrets with you.