Herbs can bring an incredible amount of nutrition to your life in the form of vitamins, minerals and more. Here is just a sampling of some common local weed herbs that you can buy or harvest yourself for a nutritional bounty!

Burdock Root: Contains inulin (stabilizes blood sugar), iron, magnesium, calcium, chromium, silicon, cobalt, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc, carotenes, protein, and in the fresh root only Vitamin C and B2. Found near shade and water.

Chickweed: Contains iron, calcium, magnesium, silicon, zinc, phosphorus, potassium, protein, sodium, copper, carotenes, Vitamins B and C. Found everywhere in early spring.

Clover, Red: Contains Vitamin B complex, Vitamin C, calcium, chromium, and magnesium. Found on roadsides and meadows, disturbed land.

Dandelion: Roots are high in iron, manganese, phosphorus, protein, sodium, Vitamin A, calcium, chromium, magnesium, niacin, potassium, riboflavin, zinc and Vitamin CV complex. The leaves are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamins A, B, C and D, potassium, iron, calcium, and phosphorus. Everywhere!

Horsetail: Contains iron, chromium, crude fiber, calcium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, Vitamin A, niacin, phosphorus, protein, riboflavin, selenium, sodium, and Vitamin C. Everywhere!

Nettle: Contains calcium, chromium, magnesium, zinc, iron, manganese, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, protein, riboflavin, selenium, silicon, thiamine, Vitamins A, C and K. Harvest in shade near water in early spring. Often found with Cleavers, which packs a punch of vitamins and minerals.

Sweet Violet The leaves of viola odarata are packed with Vitamin C and vitamin A. They are also filled with minerals. Find in shady, woodland areas. Do not confused with African Violet or its cousins, the garden pansy and Johnny Jump Ups.