Queen Anne's Lace

Queen Anne's Lace: Daucus carota

Queen Anne’s Lace is a flowering biennial plant in the Apiaceae family. Originating in temperate regions of Europe and southwest Asia it has since been naturalized to North America and Australia. The root of Queen Anne’s Lace is thick and resembles a carrot.32

Traditionally, tea made from the root of Queen Anne’s Lace has been used as diuretic to prevent and eliminate kidney stones, and to rid individuals of worms. Its seeds have been used for centuries as a contraceptive; they were prescribed by physicians as an abortifacient, a sort of “morning after” pill. The seeds have also been used as a remedy for hangovers, and the leaves and seeds are both used to settle the gastrointestinal system. It is still used by some women today as a contraceptive; a teaspoon of seeds are thoroughly chewed, swallowed and washed down with water or juice starting just before ovulation, during ovulation, and for one week thereafter. Grated wild carrot can be used for healing external wounds and internal ulcers. The thick sap is used as a remedy for cough and congestion. The root of Queen Anne’s Lace can be eaten as a vegetable just like carrot.32

Queen Anne’s Lace looks like no other flower; without the showy white umbrella of florets, the leaves of the plant look like those of the domestic carrot and a pair of deadly relatives, poison Hemlock and Fool’s Parsley. Caution must be used to distinguish Wild Carrot from her close cousins.