Pineapple weed growing in my yard for medicine

I have been doing more research for edible and medicinal weeds.  I came across a new one that I have seen a lot of here growing wild.  I had originally thought it was some type of chamomile because it resembles chamomile and smells a bit like it.  After doing some research I found pictures of this “weed” and it is pineapple weed.  Also called False Chamomile.  Pineapple weed has been used for centuries by the Native Americans and in folk medicine.

What is it?

Pineapple weed is an edible as well as medicinal plant that grows annually in North America and in Northeast Asia in many waste areas, and at times in between sidewalk cracks and will thrive in dirt roads, dry and sandy soil locations and sometimes in driveways.

Pineapple weed looks like Chamomile but does not have the petals around the flower head.  It is a low growing plant that grows to about 30 centimeters tall with finely divided foliage that gives off a pineapple scent when crushed.  Pineapple weed has a cone-shaped flower head that is yellow-greenish in color.

Edible parts:

Pineapple weed flower heads and leaves can be eaten as finger food or added to salads as well as using the flower heads fresh or drying to use in tea.

Medicinal benefits:

Native Americans used Pineapple weed for many different medicinal and cultural purposes.  They used it to treat gastrointestinal upset and gas, infected sores, fevers, menstrual pain and postpartum anemia.  They also used it as a perfume, insect repellent, preservative, jewelry, and in sweat lodge and sun dance ceremonies.

• Prevents and treats parasitic infection
• aiding in sleep
• reducing fever
• boosts the immune system
• improves skin health and irritations
• speeds healing
• soothing to the digestive system
• lowering stress and anxiety
• increases milk production
• chronic pain
• inflammation

Cautions:

There are very few side effects of Pineapple weed, although allergic reactions, skin inflammation and stomach upset have been reported.

As with any garden, wild edible, or medicinal, you should not harvest in areas that have been sprayed for weeds or otherwise may be contaminated.

As with any new wild edible or medicinal weed it is recommended to try a bit at first and to see what negative reactions may occur before trying larger volumes.

As a tea:

Pluck about a teaspoon of the flower heads and wash them well.  Steep them for 5-10 minutes.  You may sweeten the tea if you wish. It really is delicious and has a pineapple/chamomile taste to me.  I really like it and will be finding more ways to incorporate it and used it for my family.