Chenopodium album

Botanical

What is it

Chenopodium album (lamb's quarters, fat hen, white goosefoot) is a widespread weed that is also a leafy edible vegetable. The leaves are used in cuisines around the world and in folk medicine for digestive, urinary, and skin complaints.

Evidence for 2 uses

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

General nutrition (vitamin C, A, calcium, iron, protein)

Strong Evidence

Nutritionally similar to spinach; a good source of vitamins and minerals.

Anthelmintic and laxative (traditional)

Mixed Evidence

Folk use; limited modern human evidence.

How it works

C. album leaves contain vitamin A precursors, vitamin C, calcium, iron, protein, and oxalates. As a food, it provides similar nutrition to spinach. Folk medicine attributes mild laxative, diuretic, and anthelmintic actions, partly supported by limited animal studies.

Dosage

Eaten as a vegetable (typically 50 to 100 grams cooked per serving). No specific medicinal dose.

When and how to take it

Eaten as food without specific timing.

1 commercial form

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Fresh or cooked lamb's quarters

Eaten as a leafy green vegetable.

Cooking reduces oxalates.

Safety

Cooking reduces oxalate content and is recommended. Like spinach, high oxalate intake may contribute to kidney stones in susceptible people. Some specimens may accumulate nitrates from heavily fertilized soil.

Who should be cautious

People with calcium oxalate kidney stones should limit intake. Cook before eating to reduce oxalate. Avoid wild-harvested specimens from contaminated soil.

Interactions

May modestly reduce mineral (calcium, iron) absorption from concurrent meals due to oxalate content. No major drug interactions.

Food sources

Cooked lamb's quarters

Amount
100 g
%DV
—

Frequently asked questions

Is lamb's quarters safe to eat?⌄

Yes, when cooked. Like spinach, it should be limited by people with kidney stones.

How does it compare to spinach?⌄

Nutritionally similar, with comparable oxalate and mineral content.

References

Chenopodium album on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Chenopodium album on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Chenopodium album (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.