Common Name: |
Indian Chickweed |
Other Names: |
Chickweed, Common Chickweed, Scarwort, Tongue-Grass |
Botanical Name: |
Stellaria media |
Genus: |
Stellaria |
Family: |
Caryophyllaceae |
Native Location: |
Cosmopolitan weed of temperate regions. |
Cultivation: |
Moist soil in sun or shade. |
Propagation: |
By seed sown at any time. |
Harvest: |
Plants are cut and used fresh as juice or poultices, and fresh or dried in infusions, liquid extracts, medicated oils, ointments, creams and tinctures. |
Height: |
5-40cm (2-16in) |
Width: |
5-40cm (2-16in) |
Hardiness: |
Hardy |
Parts Used: |
Whole plant |
History: |
Writing in the seventeenth century, the normally verbose British herbalist Nicholas Culpeper said of the common chickweed, "It is so generally known to most people, that I shall not trouble you with the description, nor myself." And he didn't. Most everyone is familiar with this scraggly, fast-growing annual bedecked with very tiny, star-shaped white flowers. Indeed, chickweed is so ancient and widespread that its seeds have been recovered from Neolithic excavation sites of the Stone Age period. Traditionally though of as bird and chicken feed, the plant also has a long culinary and medicinal history. The leaves are rich in vitamins A, B, and C, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium. It was a staple food and medicine among Native Americans who ate it raw or boiled like a vegetable. And it has long been used in homeopathy to treat rheumatism. |
Properties: |
A soothing, cooling, slightly saline herb that relieves itching, promotes healing, and has alterative, anti-rheumatic effects. |
Vitamin Content: |
Vitamin A, Thiamin |
Medicinal Uses: |
Internally for rheumatism and chest infections. Externally for itching skin conditions, eczema, psoriasis, vaginitis, urticaria, ulcers, boils, and abscesses. Often blended with Althaea officinalis (See, Marshmallow) or Ulmus rubra (See, Slippery Elm) in anti-pruritic prescriptions. Internally, chickweed is still taken most frequently for rheumatism. However, the plant also has traditionally been used to treat constipation, cystitis, dry coughs, flatulence, and irritable and inflamed bowels. Some herbalists prescribe the plant as a general cleansing tonic. Externally, chickweed is used in ointments and poultices for aching joints, bruises, eczema, psoriasis, skin irritations, and varicose veins. |
Culinary Uses: |
Sprigs are added to salads and cooked as a vegetable; also liquified with other herbs and vegetables as a tonic juice. |
Preparations: |
Chickweed is availabnle as dried or fresh herb and in ointments and tinctures. To make a tea, pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 teaspoon of dried herb, or 2 teaspoons of fresh herb, and steep for five minutes. Strain, and drink up to 1 cup a day. |
Bibliography: |
Encylopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright ©: 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited pp 374-375 The Modern Herbal Primer by Nancy Burke Copyright©2000 Yankee Publishing, Inc. pp. 26-27 |