Alliaria Petiolata

Medium Brush Stroke

Health Benefits for the Body and Mind

Garlic Mustard

What is alliaria petiolata (garlic mustard)?

People know this plant by other names such as garlic mustard, jack-by-the-hedge, garlic root, and hedge garlic. It has a garlic-like smell when crushed.

Is garlic mustard edible?

The age of garlic mustard heavily influences how safe it is to consume. When the plant matures, its leaves become not only bitter but also toxic to eat.

Can garlic mustard be used medicinally?

Garlic mustard has been used for centuries as an antiseptic herb. It is used to treat leg ulcers, coughs and colds, and headaches.

What are the health benefits of alliaria petiolata (garlic mustard)?

The following section will take you into the nutritional benefits that this humble plant/weed can bring:

Vitamin A

Alliaria petiolata contains provitamin A. Provitamin A is also called "inactive vitamin A." Once it enters your system, the body converts it to active vitamin A for further use.

1

Green leafy vegetable in a bowl on wooden table

Green leafy vegetable in a bowl on wooden table

Vitamin C

Next on the list of garlic mustard health benefits are its abundance of Vitamin C. Vitamin C is also called L-ascorbic acid, ascorbic acid, and L-ascorbate.

2

Vitamin E

Like vitamin C, vitamin E is also a powerful and much-needed antioxidant. This means that it also possesses the benefit of lowering the risk of developing cancer.

3

Potassium

Potassium, a crucial nutrient for the body, is an electrolyte that is found in many of the foods that people usually consume.

4

Calcium

Strong bones rely on a nutrient called calcium to be maintained. Calcium, which is associated with dairy products, is essential to one's bone health.

5

Magnesium

Like potassium, magnesium is also an essential nutrient because it aids the body in performing a wide range of processes and functions needed to keep a person alive.

6

Healthy beans and legumes in wooden bowls while rotating motion

Healthy beans and legumes in wooden bowls while rotating motion

Selenium

Selenium is a nutrient that can be found naturally in bodies of water, certain foods, and even the soil! You only need a minuscule amount of selenium, but its benefits are plentiful.

7

Copper

Copper has a wide range of health benefits. In particular, copper helps you make red blood cells, keep nerves healthy, protect cells from damage, absorb iron, and turn sugar into energy.

8

Iron

Like copper, iron might bring to mind images other than those related to health and wellness. However, unbeknownst to some, iron does hold many health benefits.

9

Manganese

Manganese is essential to many of the body's functions. It is a necessary mineral in the body's metabolic processes involving cholesterol, amino acids, carbs, and glucose.

10

Colorful herbs and spices for cooking in rotating motion

Colorful herbs and spices for cooking in rotating motion

Omega-3 fatty acids

Omega-3 fatty acids refer to essential fats that are crucial to the membranes of cells. These fats are found in fish, flaxseed, and of course, garlic mustard.

11

How do you add garlic mustard to your diet?

You may do it the way they used to in the olden days and use it as a spice. Chop up the plant's leaves and add them to your favorite soups, salads, and more.

Conclusion

Alliaria petiolata's health benefits are very numerous. It is no wonder why this plant has been used for centuries as a spice and as herbal medicine.

Subscribe

FOR MORE STORIES