Chickweed / Stellaria media
Parts used : leaves and stems
Parts used : leaves and stems
Also known as : Alsine media, Capiqui, Fleur en Satin, Herbe de Langue, Hierba Gallinera, Morgeline, Mouron des Oiseaux, Pamplina, Star Chickweed, Starweed, Stellaire Intermédiaire, Stellaire Moyenne, Stellaria media.
Chickweed is a member of the Caryophyllaceae, or carnation, family. Chickweed has been used for centuries as an early spring tonic, eaten fresh or steamed, to cleanse the kidneys and liver. English physician Nicholas Culpeper described chickweed as “a fine soft pleasing herb under the dominion of the Moon.”
History:
In early modern English herbals, chickweed is recommended as a healing salve or ointment. Some Native Americans used the herb as a wound poultice. It is considered by contemporary herbalists to be an anti-inflammatory herb, good for relieving coughs, congestion and other symptoms of the common cold.
Benefits/Treats:
Constipation.
Asthma.
Stomach and bowel problems.
Obesity.
Psoriasis.
Muscle and joint pain.
Skin conditions including boils, abscesses, and ulcers, when applied directly to the skin.
As chickweed is a very rich source of nutrients that are necessary for balancing the metabolic functions of the body, its intake lessens mucus buildup. It is beneficial in the treatment of various respiratory diseases like bronchitis, chronic cough, cold, asthma and allergy symptoms.
As a poultice, chickweed is used for reducing inflammation of the eyes, in people affected with pink eye or any other eye infection.Chickweed tea benefits include its use in treating coughs and strep throat. Honey can also be added to it for sweetening.Chickweed has diuretic properties, which help the body to flush out toxins through urine and also to reduce fluid retention, weight gain and bloating. Maintaining a healthy urinary system is one of the health benefits of chickweed. It is also used for treating urinary tract infections and cystitis, as it purifies the blood and the kidneys.
Chickweed is also used for weight loss, which is said to be due to the presence of saponins in this herb. It is also used in the treatment of cysts, ovarian cancer and thyroid disorders. Ingested as a tea or tincture, chickweed is indicated as an antitussive (for coughs), a mild diuretic, and as a demulcent for stomach ulcers and sore throats. As an ointment or salve, chickweed is used for inflammatory skin diseases such a eczema and psoriasis. It is also good for rashes, insect bites and burns.
Constituents:
Coumarins, rutin , vitamins A B C , irons, saponins, carbolic acids, flavanoids, fatty acids, mucilage, minerals, silica , triterpenoid.
Properties:
- Anti inflammatory
- Anticancer Demulent
- Laxative
- Refrigerant
- Astringent
- Anti-rheumatic
- Demulcent
Preparation:
tea , tincture , salve , poultice, essential oil, and ointment.
Combo’s/recipes:
Gather chickweed from young plants before or during flowering and throughout the year. Snipping the stems will encourage growth of new branches for later harvest. The freshly harvested herb will keep for several days if refrigerated. The fresh herb may be eaten in salads, or very, very lightly steamed as a potherb. Chickweed has a somewhat bland taste, so other edible greens may be added to the pot to enhance the flavor.
Infusion: Place 2 oz of fresh chickweed leaves and stems in a warmed glass container. Bring 2.5 cups of fresh, nonchlorinated water to the boiling point, and add it to the herbs. Cover and infuse the tea for about 10 minutes. Strain and drink warm. The prepared tea will store for about two days in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Chickweed tea may be enjoyed by the cupful up to three times a day. A strong infusion may be used as a skin wash or bath additive to soothe itching and inflamed skin.
Poultice: Chop fresh chickweed leaves and stems in sufficient quantity to cover the area being treated. Sprinkle the herb with water and place over the area. Cover the herbal mass with a strip of wet cotton gauze to hold the poultice in place. When gathering the older, tougher plant, the herb may be simmered either in water alone or in a 50/50 mixture of water and vinegar for about five minutes. Apply to the skin after the mixture has sufficiently cooled.
Tincture: Combine four ounces of finely-cut fresh or powdered dry herb with one pint of brandy, gin, or vodka, in a glass container. The alcohol should be enough to cover the plant parts. Place the mixture away from light for about two weeks, shaking several times each day. Strain and store in a tightly-capped, dark glass bottle. A standard dose is 1–4 ml of the tincture three times a day.bly safe in non-allergic people when ingested in food amounts, based on its use as a wild edible plant in Spain.
A general cleansing combination that you can make yourself, which helps you lose weight, is a blend of:
- Chickweed
- Black Walnut
- Echinacea
- Mandrake
- Licorice
- Safflower
- Gota Kola
- Hawthorne Berries
- Papaya
- Fennel Seed
- Dandelion
Precautions:
Resources
http://www.anniesremedy.com/herb_detail149.php#Garden
http://www.cloverleaffarmherbs.com/chickweed/#sthash.jUejXXQt.oVm2HssA.dpbs
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