Chickweed Herb Profile
Also known as
Stellaria media, and Stellaria spp, Mouse-ear, Adder's Mouth, Tongue Grass, Alsine, Chick Wittles, Satinflower, Winter Weed, and Star Weed.
Introduction
Chickweed is an English herb easily recognized by its straggling, succulent stems bearing paired leaves and white star shaped flowers. It is said that there is no part of the world where chickweed doesn't grow; it is even found in the North Artic regions. Both the Chippewa and Iroquois tribes used chickweed as a soothing eyewash and wound poultice. The herbalist Nicholas Culpepper recommended it as a main ingredient in a healing ointment. Modern uses include it in a variety of salves and ointments to help with all types of skin conditions including psoriasis, eczema, and even minor burns.
Constituents
Coumarins, rutin, B vitamins, iron, saponins, thiamine, niacin, vitamin C
Parts Used
Entire aerial part of plant.
Typical Preparations
Most often used as a tincture or ointment. Can be encapsulated or taken as a tea. For external applications it may be used in salves, infused in oil, or ointments.
Summary
Chickweed is a "drawing herb" once thought to remove toxins from the skin, now more typically explained as a microcirculatory stimulant for the skin. Chickweed may be employed to treat acne, abscesses of the skin, and eczema, as well as duodenal and peptic ulcers. It can also be added to a bath to reduce inflammation and encourage tissue repair.
Precautions
Excessive doses have in rare occasions induced vomiting and/or diarrhea.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
