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Chickweed
Chickweed has very tiny flowers that close when overcast. It is one of the first plants to appear in early spring, full of nutrients and first aid healing properties. She is also known as Starweed because of her beautiful tiny, and I mean tiny, white flowers that resemble little stars. There are 25 species that grow in America and 100 species worldwide.
Stellaria media
Family: Caryophyllaceae - carnation, pinks
Parts used: aerial parts (leaves and blossoms)
Related species: Star chickweed (Stellaria purbera), Mouse-ear chickweed (Cerastium vulgatum), Apline chickweed.
What's in a Name - Stellaria Media
Stellaria means star, referencing the tiny blossoms that look like little stars
Media means in the middle, in reference to chickweed's love of growing amid other plants.
Common Name: Chickweed
A favorite food of chickens and birds
Folk Names:
Starweed and starwort - the delicate, tiny flowers look like stars
Satin flower
Winterweed - chickweed can withstand cold temperatures and is sometimes seen growing during the winter
Stitchwort and scarwort - used for skin and wound healing
Adder's mouth
Birdweed
History
Originated in Eurasia, spread throughout the world by settlers, birds, wind and water.
Chickweed is a staple food for birds so it spread through migration in their poop. Other animals eat chickweed and the seeds are not affected by digestive systems.
Traditionally used as a vegetable.
Traditional Chinese medicine has used it for centuries, especially in wound healing.
Used as an Ancient European folk remedy ointment.
Dioscorides, the Greek physician used it for eye issues.
Paracelsus in 1530 calls it, “The Elixir of Life…one of the supreme healers.”
Americans were encouraged to grow chickweed in Victory Gardens during World War II due to the nutrients and mineral content, easy to grow, self seeding and cold hardy.
Alterative,
Anti-Inflammatory
Antimicrobial
Antirheumatic
Antitussive
Astringent
Carminative
Demulcent
Diuretic
Discutient
Depurative
Drawing
Febrifuge
Emollient
Emulsifier
Expectorant,
Galactagogue
Lymphatic
Emmenagogue
Mucilaginous
Nutritive
Ophthalmic
Vulnerary
Energetics/Body Systems Affected
Cooling
Moistening
Salty-Sweet
Skin
Respiratory
Lymph
Urinary
Circulatory
Digestive
Energy:
Cools anger and irritability
Increases vibration and frequency
Release the past and focus on the present
Constituents/Nutrients
Chlorophyll
Coumarins
Fatty acids
Flavonoids
Gamma-linolenic acid
Hentriacontane
Phytosterols
Saponins
Silica
Tocopherols
Nutrients: antioxidants, beta carotene, B vitamins, calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, rutin, selenium, silica, vitamins C, A, D,
Uses
Skin conditions; itch, irritation, moisturize and soften, tones, acne
Diaper rash, hives, heat rash
First aid; bites, stings, cuts, wounds, rashes, sores, slivers, bruises, burns, etc.
Shingles and chicken pox irritation
Boils, abscess, blisters, etc. (use a steamed poultice)
Respiratory; bronchitis, inflammation, congestion, colds, and cough, etc.
Throat and mouth issues; soreness, ulcers, mouth sores, inflammation, etc.
Eye issues, inflammation, irritation, itch, soreness, puffiness, infection, sties
Poor circulation and weak conditions, illness recovery, convalescence, speeds healing, blood cleansing and detoxing.
Strengthen stomach and bowels
Digestive issues; gas, indigestion, constipation, etc.
Gut health; regulates intestinal flora, absorbs toxins from the bowels, increases absorption of nutrients and minerals.
Sore and tired muscles – (bath, salve)
Soothes and cools Inflammation - both internal and external, all tissues
Kidney, liver, gallbladder support, aids the body to heal blocks and inflammation
Internal healing and support for ulcers, urinary tract, stomach, and intestines
Constipation - especially for children due to chickweed's gentle nature
Nutrient dense - high in vitamins A and C, saponins (increase absorption), minerals such as iron, magnesium, and calcium to name a few
Nutritive, all-purpose herb for restoration, relief, clearing, protection and nourishment – releases blockages and removes waste
Blood cleansing and regenerating, blood poisoning, toxic conditions, etc.
Infection, congestion, inflammation, weakness, illnesses, recovery, etc.
Stimulates metabolism, dissolves fat, helps emulsify fat cells and flush waster from the body, which can help in weight loss.
Women's health; cleansing after birth tea, encourages milk flow, helps regulate menstrual cycle.
Can help dissolve fatty tumors, growths and cysts (fresh juice used consistently)
Hemorrhoids
Swollen testes
Traditional folk remedy for cancer
Food - original use was a vegetable crop so use it that way! Add to salads, stir fries, soup, smoothies, pesto or wherever else you would use greens (has a spinach like flavor)
Poultice, compress
Tea, juiced, drinks (can freeze in ice cubes for storage)
Baths, soaks, washes, gargle, douche, enema, eye wash
Extract, glycerine, vinegar, alcohol (glycerine pulls more vitamins, vinegar more minerals)
Herbal oil
Salves, balm, creams
Can be frozen for future use
Powder, sprinkle, capsules (although fresh is best)
Enema (appendix, hemorrhoids, bowel)
Suppository (hemorrhoids, combine with yarrow)
Search around your yard or neighborhood for this very common “weed”. Likes shady, cool areas so look under shrubs and bushes in the spring and fall. Likes cooler weather.
Because of the shallow roots chickweed can provide a living type of mulch for your garden, in fact if you have chickweed growing it usually indicates fertile soil.
Chickweed is an annual plant but self-seeds readily which is how she comes back year after year.
Aerial parts can be harvested anytime, both leaves and flowers.
Dosage/Safety
Safe and gentle for all uses.
Symbolism
Support and community – collective strength
Unity
Love and fidelity (persistent growth)
Reminder to appreciate the simple beauty of life
Regeneration
Myth/Folklore
Indigenous tribe of Japan thought it to be the original hair of the first humans, as it spread and grew like green hair covering the Earth.
European medieval folklore used chickweed to promote fidelity, attract love and maintain relationships. It was a common ingredient in love potions, used to attract the perfect mate.
Astronomy – moon herb, the “star” bloom only comes into view for a short period of time just like the moon.
Moon dominion - feminine energy, love, fertility.
Chickweed can predict weather by the flowers closing before rain.
Poetry/Literature/Art
Chickweed Identification & Images
A Handbook of Native American Herbs by Alma Hutchens, p. 65
A Modern Herbal by Mrs. M Grieve, p. 195
Back to Eden by Jethro Kloss, p. 117
Backyard Medicine (quotes from old herbals and recipes, with dosages), p. 26
Breverton’s Complete Herbal, p. 93
Mountain States Medicinal Plants by Briana Wiles, p. 79
Nutritional Herbology by Mark Pedersen, p. 72 (details of actions and constituents)
Peterson Field Guides: Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, p.
Prescription Nutritional Healing by Phyllis A. Balch, p. 107
Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide, 121
School of Natural Healing by Dr. John R. Chistopher, p. 323
The Complete Medicinal Herbal by Penelope Ody, p. 100
The Herbal Academy: Recipes Monographs: Intermediate Herbal Course, p. 113
The How to Herb Book by Keith and Gordon, p. 20 (specific conditions and how to use)
The New Age Herbalist by Richard Mabey, p. 40
The Way of Herbs by Michael Tierra, p.143
The Wild Wisdom of Weeds, p. 124
