Honesty (Lunaria annua) is an edible plant that has naturalised and can be found growing wild throughout New Zealand. The leaves and flowers have a cabbage-like taste and the seeds taste like mustard and can be used as a mustard substitute if crushed and added to water. The leaves can be used as a green vegetable before the flowers appear, and the flowers can be added to salads. The root can also be peeled and eaten.
Traditional medical use of Honesty has been for respiratory issues, coughs, digestive support, diuretic, purgative, skin health, neurological health, congestion, wounds, lung and breast cancers, pain, headaches, menstrual cramps, arthritis, rheumatism, hot flushes, menopause, Parkinson’s disease and much more.
