The wild truth about wild greens.

Wild greens often surpass market-packaged superfoods in nutrient density due to their natural growing conditions, lack of hybridization, and exposure to richer soil. Yet the superfoods industry promotes powders, pills and produce from all around the planet.

Why not innovate traditional foraging to get the best for our bodies close to home?

Take a 5 Minute Break…

INSIGHT ^{_{(what we need)}}

The superior superfoods may be the weeds growing at your street corner and not the expensive powders found at your boutique health store.

The global superfoods market size is pretty ginormous: ~182 billion in 2023 and projected to grow at a CAGR of 4% between now and 2030. Known for their nutrition and health benefits, superfoods have become a key ingredient for health conscious consumers and the wellness set – primed for continued growth as our soil reserves continue to be depleted and people seek nutrient-dense alternatives to make up for the deficiencies in our regular food sources. (Source: Grand View Research, Superfoods Market Size, Share and Growth Report)

The modern superfood industry sells convenience, but at what cost? That $100 bag of powdered greens promising high-octane vitality and all your daily veggie needs in a glass is often a shadow of the real thing—processed, oxidized, and stripped of key nutrients before it even hits your smoothie. Not to mention joining the industrial food complex as a packaged good that will ultimately undergo quality erosion due to value chain efficiencies and industry standardizations.

Wild greens thrive outside the food industrial complex. 
In fact, they are resilient by nature and are often pissing off gardeners with their stubborn overgrowths and wily ways! These weeds don’t need monocropped soil, synthetic fertilizers, or marketing budgets. They grow in untamed conditions, adapting to environmental stressors by producing higher levels of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals than their farmed counterparts. Purslane, for example, has seven times more vitamin E than carrots and more omega-3s than fish oil. Lamb’s quarters packs more protein and iron than kale. Here’s a short table of just a handful of examples:

Five reasons why they have such high nutrient density:

1. No Nutrient Dilution from Selective Breeding
Commercial crops are bred for size, sweetness, and shelf life, often at the expense of nutrients. Wild greens, by contrast, have retained their original genetic makeup, making them more nutrient-dense per gram.

Example: Lamb’s quarters has more iron, calcium, and vitamin A than spinach, which has been hybridized for milder taste and softer leaves.

2. Higher Micronutrient & Antioxidant Levels

Wild plants face more environmental stress (wind, pests, drought), causing them to produce higher levels of antioxidants and phytonutrients as a defense mechanism.

These compounds include:

• Flavonoids (reduce inflammation and oxidative stress)
• Carotenoids (support eye health and immunity)
• Polyphenols (improve cardiovascular health)

Example: Purslane contains 7x more vitamin E than carrots and more omega-3s than some fish oils.

3. Stronger Soil Nutrient Absorption
Unlike mass-farmed crops that grow in depleted, chemically fertilized soil, wild greens grow in mineral-rich, untampered soil, leading to higher natural mineral absorption. Many wild greens also form mycorrhizal relationships with beneficial fungi, which enhance their uptake of nutrients like magnesium, zinc, and calcium.

Example: Dandelion greens have more calcium than milk and more potassium than bananas.

4. No Chemical Processing or Drying Degradation
Packaged superfoods (like powdered greens, spirulina, or supplements) go through processing, drying, and storage, which reduces enzyme activity and vitamin potency. Wild greens are consumed fresh, retaining their live enzymes, chlorophyll, and delicate water-soluble vitamins (like vitamin C and folate).

Example: Fresh chickweed provides more vitamin C than most commercial greens, while many “superfood powders” lose 30-50% of vitamin content during processing.

5. No Pesticide or Chemical Contamination
Many packaged superfoods come from large-scale monoculture farms, which often use synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and chemical fertilizers. Wild greens grow without chemical interference, making them cleaner, safer, and better for gut health.

Conclusion: Wild greens provide more bioavailable vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for free, making them the ultimate fresh superfood.

Even organic grocery store greens pale in comparison.
Cultivated crops are bred for size, sweetness, and longer shelf life—often at the expense of nutrient density. The bitter compounds in wild plants, which protect them from pests and enhance their medicinal value, have been bred out of store-bought greens to appeal to modern palates. But those bitter compounds are exactly what support digestion, detoxify the liver, and lower inflammation.

And here’s the kicker: wild greens are free and grow abundantly, often dismissed as weeds. Instead of paying a premium for “superfood powders” that lose 30–50% of their nutrients through processing, why not simply grow the real deal at home?

INSPIRATION ^{_{(what i want)}}

The Lost Herbs: Discover the medicinal power of wild greens.

If you want to dive deeper into the forgotten health benefits of wild plants, check out The Lost Herbs. It’s a goldmine of ancestral plant wisdom, detailing how common weeds—like dandelions and stinging nettle—can boost immunity, cleanse the blood, and even fight inflammation better than some pharmaceuticals. She even has tinctures, balms and teas pre-blended for various ailments and preventions.

Some highlights from their database:

• Chickweed: A vitamin C powerhouse that clears the skin and soothes inflammation.

• Dandelion: A natural liver detoxifier, loaded with potassium and prebiotic fiber.

• Stinging Nettle: A natural antihistamine that fights allergies and strengthens hair.

• Lamb’s Quarters: More protein, calcium, and vitamin A than spinach (per gram). Also rich in folate and magnesium.

• Purslane: highest plant source of omega-3 fatty acids (ALA) which supports brain and heart health along with inflammation and aging.

Forget overpriced superfood supplements — nature provides everything we need.

Shout out to my little sister who celebrated our roots with this amazing bilingual children’s book about the wild greens eaten by the indigenous people’s of Taiwan.

She is about to give birth to her first child and I wanted to pay tribute to her and any other parents reading this who care about teaching their kids about the bounty of nature and the beauty of identity.

The Amis peoples of Taiwan originally lived off of the land and foraged wild greens as a huge part of their diet. Here are some examples of wild plants that are exceptionally delicious and nutritious:

INNOVATION ^{_{(what i wish for)}}

Wild Greens Wall: a plug-and-grow system for anyone looking to cultivate nutrient-dense wild greens effortlessly on a balcony or small space.

What’s Inside:

• Self-watering planters with a built-in moisture system for minimal maintenance.

• Pre-seeded wild greens mats (just add water—no digging required)

• Organic, mineral-rich soil blend with beneficial fungi for maximum nutrient density.

• Solar-powered irrigation system with battery for fully automated growing.

• Rechargeable micro-drip irrigation system for even less maintenance.

• Quick-start placement guide based on your balcony’s sunlight exposure

• Harvest & Recipe Guide for easy, delicious meals

Set Up in Under an Hour:

1. Unbox & place planters according to the sunlight chart.

2. Pour in soil, lay down the pre-seeded mats.

3. Fill the water reservoir, and you’re done!

4. Comes with pre-packaged selection of fresh herbs, ready-to-serve!

With fresh, self-replenishing greens growing year-round, you can ditch expensive, over-processed superfoods and nourish yourself straight from your own ecosystem. Replace your store bought kale, chia, and berries with all-around better alternatives.