Queen Anne’s Lace

Queen Anne’s Lace (Daucus Carota) or Wild Carrot is a biennial native to Europe and South-West Asia named after Queen Anne of Denmark. The story goes that she was challenged to make some lace as beautiful as a flower. While making the lace she pricked her finger and left a drop of blood in the centre of the flower.

Like all carrots, the root is edible but should only be eaten in the first year as it becomes too woody in the second year when it flowers. It can be eaten raw or cooked and the flower is said to be very tasty battered and deep-fried. As well as being edible it has been also used medicinally throughout history. The fresh or dried leaves can be made into an infusion. The seeds can be tinctured for other uses as well, more on that below:

- The seeds are said to be diuretic, support kidney function and help prevent and dissolve kidney stones.

- Good for the digestive tract in cases of indigestion and diarrhoea.

- Stimulates the appetite and alleviates menstual cramps.

- The leaves contain porphyrin’s which are good for the pituitary gland and induce sex hormone production.

- Stimulates the uterus so should be avoided during pregnancy, but is useful for inducing labour.

- Queen Anne’s Lace seeds have been used as an herbal contraceptive for centuries, dating back to ancient Greece and Egypt. Its contraceptive properties have been studied in cats and with much success as a cheaper and less invasive method of preventing unwanted pregnancies. However in humans, whilst it does work as a contraceptive, it will eventually lose its contraceptive effect with overuse. As such, long-term use of high amounts is not recommended but the plant itself is very safe and effective when used in moderation.

PLEASE NOTE:

Queen Anne’s Lace has several deadly look-a-likes such as Hemlock, Water Hemlock and Fool’s Parsley. Luckily, there are plenty of differences between them all if you know what to look for, but this is not a plant for beginner foragers.