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Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule), also known as Greater Henbit or Henbit Deadnettle, is a member of the mint family.  Like many in that family, it does not taste mint-y.

Henbit is still edible, fresh or cooked.  Nutritionally, it’s tough to find information on henbit.  Many sources simply quote, “iron, vitamins, and fiber,” which is pretty vague, but good enough for my purposes.

I just learned it’s edible, and first tried it today.  Not bad. Mild, hard to describe. Unoffensive.

Here it is in a wider view:

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In terms of medicinal use, there’s not a whole lot of activity that I can find. Apparently it’s a stimulant, a laxative, reduces fevers, and induces sweating.  The language/terminology used to describe the medicinal qualities sound like that from old-time herbology texts and almanacs, so my guess is that there hasn’t been a lot of modern attention paid to this plant.  From the more common culinary use of henbit, and its wide consumption by grazing animals, I wouldn’t think its medicinal qualities are particularly potent. Let me know if you’ve heard otherwise.

It would look really pretty in a salad or on sandwiches.  If you are looking to expand your wild greens palate, this is another widely available one for the list.