Chickweed

Chickweed
Stellaria media
Caryophyllaceae



Chickweed is a cooling yin plant.

It is a common annual. The stems are weakly branched, with leaves 1-3 cm. Chickweed flowers white from early spring to fall. Chickweed grows in moist wet places in sun or shade. It is introduced from Europe. In Minnesota, Chickweed grows in shade, sun, and wet places. Chickweed seems to like to cover bare soil and acts like a protector while irritating some gardeners. I got over my frustration when I put some in my mouth; it is a refreshing snack!

Gather chickweed when it is actively growing in the spring and summer. The whole plant is used fresh. Tincture the fresh plant or use the fresh juice. It is tasty in a salad, and makes a nice tea. This herb is not as effective dried. Herbal oil can be made by incorporating macerated fresh chickweed in olive oil for a few days. This makes soothing oil for eczema and itching which is safer than cortisone cream.

Chickweed is used for many conditions. It has a range of actions that affects both sides of the spectrum. Chickweed is useful in stagnant conditions by clearing the lymphatics and balancing the waters and oils in the body. It helps the body break down fats, and also helps nourish the tissues in cases of atrophy. It would be called for in cases when the liver needs help emulsifying fats, and is sometimes thought of as a weight loss herb because of this. It is known to be the most soothing and cooling external remedy to any irritated tissue, especially eczema or other itchy rashes. Chickweed is also known to work on cases of hypothyroidism and depression, and when the endocrine system needs support, like during menopause. It is considered an alterative herb, and useful for fatty tumors. It is also a lung soother when they are dry and irritated or any other internal inflammation. In Ayurvedic medicine Chickweed is considered bitter, sweet, and cooling. It is an herb ruled by the moon and therefore cooling and soothing. It is used much like in the West as a laxative, alterative, demulcent, and vulnerary. In Traditional Chinese Medicine it is used as an expectorant, demulcent, emollient, antitussive, antipyretic, vulnerary, and alterative. It is used to aid expectoration of phlegm, and to cool and soothe all areas of the body.


Expected Outcomes
Chickweed will soothe and calm, cool, and comfort. It is useful for depression, and balancing the both the oils and waters in the body. It will build up those that need it, and help those that need to lose weight. It is a great alterative.

Sources
A Modern Herbal by Maude Grieve. Erica Fargione’s Materia Medica class, Planetary Herbology by Michael Tierra, The Yoga of Herbs by Dr. David Frawley and Dr. Vasant Lad, Back to Eden, by Jethro Kloss. The Earthwise Herbal, by Matthew Wood.