Chickweed ~ Herb Profile

This cute little herb, Chickweed, also known as the Weight-Loss herb, is already to harvest, even with our cold winter.  It is a "wild" thing that is easy to keep from getting out of hand and keeps other "weeds", especially those you really don't want, at bay.  Chickweed is a mild herb and has been used as a food as well as medicine.

Common Chickweed - Stellaria media / Caryophyllaceae / Pink Family

Description: Low growing, leafy stems, leaves oval, white flower clusters between leaf and stem.  Floweres may not open when overcast or rainy.  Available most of the year.

Cultavation: Grows throughout North American in moist, shady, low elevation. Annual that easily reseeds.

Garden Uses: I let it go as a growing mulch around perennials.  Easy to rip out in unwanted areas.

Culinary Uses: Edible crisp stems and leaves.  Great addition to salads and a replacement for lettuce in sandwiches.  Can be added to cooked items in the last few minutes of cooking. Very mild flavor.  Can also be used for hot or cold herbal teas.

Primary Nutrients: Great winter source of Vitiamn C.  High in Iron, calcium, copper, magnese, phosphorus, sodium, Vitamin D and B complex.

Historical Uses: Native Americans used chickweed as an eyewash and in poultices to heal wounds.

Medincinal Properties: Chickweed can assiste in treating blood toxicity, fevers and inflammation.  It's mild mucilage elements are known to help with stomach ulcersn and inflamed blwels.  It can help dissolve plaque in blood vessels and other fatty substances in the body. 

Medicinal Uses: Poultices for boils, burns skin diseases, sore eyes. I add this herb to the herbal infused oil that is used to make Momma's Salve. Chickweed is recommended to aid in weight loss and assists in breaking down cellulite, which is an accumulation of toxins in the fat cells.

So instead of trying to get rid of this precious little plant, enjoy it on your salads and think of how great you will look slimming down with this healthy nutritious addition to your diet.

For more information see:
-Nature Bound - Pocket Field Guide by Ron Dawson
-Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast by Pojar & Mackinnon
-Today's Herbal Health by Louise Tenney

***This is for educational information only.  Please see your Health Care Provider for medical advise.***

Comments

Kimberly Ann said…
Love your site! I need to get some chickweed growing for my chickens to munch on.
Cheers! Kimberly Ann
Starlight said…
Oh wow! I'd not heard of chickweed. It would be cool if you could come up w/ some kind of herbal skin-care tips??? Could you?

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