Good King Henry
Plant Whisper
Good King Henry adapted to village life when agriculture was still practiced there, as it needs nutrient-rich, ammonia-rich soil. With the disappearance of manure heaps, it is now considered an endangered species. It is certainly delicious: its young, delicately nutty-tasting shoots can be cooked like asparagus, and its mildly earthy leaves can be eaten as a spinach substitute.
Botanical Facts
The soil should be fresh to moist and should never dry out completely.
-28°C
Europe
April - October
sunny to partially shaded
alpine pastures, village weed patches
Healing Properties
weak laxative, iron deficiency
Features
10 - 80cm
🌷 (entire plant)
🍽 (edible), ⚕ (medicinal plant), 🔧 (dye plant)
An important food plant for butterfly caterpillars (e.g., cabbage moth, orache moth) and attracts various pollinators with its greenish flowers from June to September.
"Good King Henry" is not the name of a person, but of an edible wild plant. The young leaves and shoots taste similar to spinach and were once commonly used as "wild spinach." Today, this nutrient-rich plant—due in part to its iron and vitamin C content—is experiencing a culinary comeback and can be prepared in a variety of ways. However, because of its high oxalic acid content, it should only be consumed in moderation by people with certain conditions such as gout or kidney problems.
Endangerment Level
2 - Endangered
All information about herbs has been carefully compiled but does not claim to be complete. None of the information provided constitutes medical advice.
GOLDEN RULE for EVERYTHING: Eat only what you know! The rule applies: a handful of wild plants per person and day may be collected on public land. Use only washed plant parts that you can identify clearly – when in doubt, please refrain from using them.
TIP: One advantage of buying over-the-counter medicines from a pharmacy or specialist retailer is the expert advice on your symptoms.
