Chickweed – Stellaria media
Chickweed is an annual plant naturalized in many parts of S.E. Qld and across the world Its a groundcover that grows 5-50cm high and can cover large areas. Its flowers are small white and star shaped and produced at the toip of the stem.
Edible Use – The leaves, stem and flowers of Chickweed are edible.
Medicinal Use – This healing plant can be used for Detoxification, Blood purifications, Arthritus, Rashes, Nerve Pain, Constipation and many skin irritations as follows.
Here is FIVE BIG Healthy Reasons why Chickweed should NOT BE REMOVED if you are fortunate enough to have it growing as a weed in your garden.
Skin Irritations, Dermatitis, Eczema, Hives, Shingles and Varicose Veins. A Salve or poultice made from chickweed works well for skin irriations, especially on itches and rashes. It is also useful for varicose veins, hives, dermatitis and aczema. You can add the decoction to your bath if the affected area is larger.
Detoxification, Blood Purifications, Boils, Herpes and Venereal Disease: Chickweed is an excellent detoxification agent and blood purifier. It draws poisons out of the body in cases of blood poisoning, tetanus, or from poisons entering the bloodstream through a wound. For these purposes make a poultice from equal parts chickweed, ginger root and raw honey. Blend the mixture to a smooth paste and apply it directly to the wound and surrounding area. Cover the poultice and replace it every 6 hours. Also take chickweed powder or tea to treat the problem from the inside out. The same protocol works for the treatment of boils, herpes sores and other venereal diseases. Take both internal and external remedies for best results.
Arthritis: A tea or tincture made from this herb is used as a remedy for arthritus. It relives the inflammation and pain of rheumatoid arthritus. Also try adding a strong tea to a warm bath and soaking to relieve pain, especially on the knees and feet.
Roseola and Other Rashes: Children and adults suffering from roseola are plagued by an itchy rash. Use a poultice of moistened crushed chickweed leaves applied to the rash for relief of pain and itching. Adding a strong tea to the bathwater also helps.
Constipation and Digestive Disease: Chickweed tea treats constipation. Be careful not to overdo it with the decoction; it has a strong purgative action. Chickweed also has analgesic properties that act on the digestive system to relieve pain, but it does not treat the underlying causes.
Harvesting: Harvest this herb early in the morning or late in the evening. Snip off the upper branches and use them fresh or dry them for future use.
Warning: Some people are allergic to chickweed. The herb is cosidered safe but should not be used by nursing women or pregnant women without the approval from a healthcare professional.
Recipe – Chickweed Decoction:
Use fresh chickweed whenever possible to make this herbal docoooction. It is an excellent internal cleanser and make good wash and external agent. You need 1 cup of freshly picked chickweed leaves and 1 pint of water. Bring the water to a boil and add chickweed leaves. Reduce the heat to low and simmer the leaves for 15 mins. Cool the decoction and use it internally or externally. The internal dose is 1-2 ounces.
Much of the wisdom written on this page was discovered through reading a fabulous book called The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies written by Nicole Apelian, Ph.D & Claude Davis.