What is henbit?

Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule) is a wild edible and medicinal plant from the mint family (Lamiaceae). It is often mistaken for weeds but is actually highly nutritious and beneficial.

How to Identify Henbit:

✅ Leaves: Rounded, scalloped edges, opposite arrangement, and slightly hairy.

✅ Stems: Square-shaped (a signature trait of mint family plants) and slightly purplish.

✅ Flowers: Small, tubular, pinkish-purple, with darker markings, blooming in early spring.

✅ Growth Habit: Low-growing, spreading, and commonly found in fields, yards, and roadsides.

Henbit

Medicinal Benefits of Henbit:

🌿 Anti-inflammatory – Helps with swelling and minor pain.🌿 Calming – Acts as a mild relaxant for stress and anxiety.🌿 Digestive Aid – Soothes upset stomachs and improves digestion.🌿 Mild Diuretic – Supports kidney health and reduces water retention.🌿 Wound Healing – Can be used as a poultice for cuts and rashes.

How to Use Henbit:

• Tea: Brew fresh or dried leaves for relaxation and digestion.

• Poultice: Mash fresh leaves and apply to wounds.

• Tincture: Make an extract for long-term herbal benefits.

• Salves & Oils: Infuse henbit into oils for skin and muscle relief.

• Food: Eat raw in salads, soups, or pestos!

It’s a nutritious wild green, rich in vitamins A, C, and iron, and is safe to eat for most people.

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Henbit Foraging Guide (How to Identify, Harvest & Use)

Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule) is a fantastic wild green that is easy to identify, abundant, and highly nutritious. This guide will help you safely forage, harvest, and use henbit.

1. How to Identify Henbit-more in depth

🌿 Leaves:

• Rounded with scalloped edges, opposite pairs.

• Upper leaves are stemless, wrapping around the stem.

• Lower leaves have short petioles (small stalks).

🌿 Stems:

• Square-shaped (mint family characteristic).

• Soft and slightly fuzzy.

• Purplish tint as it matures.

🌿 Flowers:

• Small, tubular, pinkish-purple with darker markings.

• Blooms early spring to late summer.

🌿 Roots & Growth Habit:

• Shallow root system, low-growing and spreading.

• Often found in lawns, gardens, fields, and roadsides.

2. Where to Forage for Henbit

✅ Best Places:

• Open fields, meadows, gardens, and disturbed soil.

• Often found alongside purple dead-nettle, chickweed, and dandelion.

⚠️ Avoid Areas With:

• Pesticides (yards, golf courses).

• Roadside pollution (heavy traffic areas).

• Animal waste contamination (near livestock pens).

3. How to Harvest Henbit

🌱 Best Time to Harvest:

• Early spring for the most tender and mild-flavored leaves.

• Before flowering for peak nutrition (though flowers are edible too).

🌿 How to Harvest:

• Use scissors or pinch off the top young leaves and stems.

• Leave the root system intact so it can regrow.

• Collect in a basket or breathable bag to keep fresh.

4. How to Eat & Use Henbit

🥗 Raw (Mild & Nutritious!):

• Add to salads, wraps, sandwiches, and smoothies.

• Mix with other wild greens like chickweed and dandelion.

🍵 Tea (Calming & Digestive Aid):

• Steep fresh or dried leaves in hot water for 5-10 minutes.

🍲 Cooked (Soups & Stir-Fries):

• Add to soups, stews, or omelets like spinach.

• Sauté with garlic and olive oil for a nutritious side dish.

🌿 Medicinal Uses:

• Poultice for cuts and inflammation.

• Tincture for stress relief.

• Infused oil for skincare and sore muscles.

5. Henbit Look-Alikes (How to Tell Them Apart)

🔹 Purple Dead-Nettle (Lamium purpureum)

• More triangular leaves with a fuzzy texture.

• Leaves turn purplish at the top.

• Stronger flavor compared to henbit.

🔹 Ground Ivy (Creeping Charlie - Glechoma hederacea)

• More vining and spreads aggressively.

• Strong minty smell when crushed.

6. Storing & Preserving Henbit

🥬 Fresh: Store in a damp cloth in the fridge for up to a week.🌿 Dried: Hang in bunches to air dry, then store in a sealed jar.🍯 Infused: Make henbit-infused honey, oil, or vinegar for long-term use.

🌱 Henbit is an overlooked but powerful wild edible that’s easy to forage and full of vitamins A, C, and iron. Enjoy it fresh, dried, or in herbal remedies!

A few recipes to use Henbit

1. Henbit Tea (Relaxation & Digestion Support)

This tea helps with stress, anxiety, digestion, and mild pain relief.

Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons dried or 4 teaspoons fresh henbit leaves and flowers

• 1 cup hot water (not boiling)

• Optional: honey, lemon, or chamomile for extra benefits

Instructions:

1. Place the henbit in a tea infuser or mug.

2. Pour hot (not boiling) water over the herb.

3. Let steep for 5-10 minutes.

4. Strain and sweeten with honey if desired.

5. Drink 1-2 cups per day for relaxation and digestion support.

2. Henbit Poultice (For Sore Muscles & Pain Relief)

A simple remedy for sore muscles, headaches, and minor inflammation.

Ingredients:

• A handful of fresh henbit leaves and flowers

• A few drops of water (if needed)

Instructions:

1. Crush or mash the fresh henbit into a paste.

2. Apply directly to the affected area (sore muscles, joints, or forehead for headaches).

3. Cover with a clean cloth or bandage.

4. Leave for 20-30 minutes, then rinse off.

5. Repeat as needed for pain relief.

3. Henbit Tincture (For Long-Term Stress & Inflammation Support)

A concentrated extract that helps with stress, digestion, and inflammation.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh henbit (or ½ cup dried)

• 2 cups vodka (or glycerin for an alcohol-free version)

• A glass jar with a tight lid

Instructions:

1. Chop the henbit and place it in the jar.

2. Pour vodka (or glycerin) over the herbs, ensuring they are fully covered.

3. Seal the jar and store in a cool, dark place for 4-6 weeks.

4. Shake the jar gently every few days.

5. Strain the liquid through cheesecloth into a clean bottle.

6. Take ½ to 1 teaspoon up to twice a day for stress relief and digestion support.

4. Henbit Salve (For Skin Healing & Moisturizing)

A soothing balm for dry skin, minor burns, and irritation.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh henbit, chopped

• 1 cup olive oil or coconut oil

• 1 tablespoon beeswax (for a firmer salve)

• Optional: 5 drops lavender or tea tree essential oil

Instructions:

1. Infuse the oil:

   • Place henbit and oil in a heat-safe jar.

   • Heat on low in a double boiler for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally.

   • Strain out the herbs and save the oil.

2. Make the salve:

   • Melt beeswax into the infused oil over low heat.

   • Stir well and add essential oils if using.

3. Store:

   • Pour into tins or glass jars and let cool.

   • Apply as needed for skin hydration and healing.

5. Henbit Syrup (For Stress & Sleep Aid)

A mild, herbal syrup that supports relaxation and restful sleep.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh henbit

• 2 cups water

• 1 cup honey (or maple syrup for a vegan version)

Instructions:

1. Simmer the henbit in 2 cups of water for 20-30 minutes.

2. Strain out the herbs and return the liquid to the pot.

3. Stir in honey while the liquid is warm (but not boiling).

4. Let cool and transfer to a glass jar.

5. Take 1-2 teaspoons before bed for relaxation and sleep support.