Chickweed

[Pat Robinson]

From Mountain Rose Herbs:

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.

http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/learn/chickweed.php

Chickweed contains soapy substances, called saponins. Saponins, like soap, emulsify and increase the permeability of cellular membranes. When we consume chickweed those saponins increase our ability to absorb nutrients, especially minerals. They also dissolve and break
down unwanted matter, including disease-causing bacteria, cysts, benign tumors, thickened mucus in the respiratory and digestive systems, and excess fat cells.

Chickweed is loaded with nutrition, being high in chlorophyll, minerals -- especially calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, iron, phosphorus, and potassium, vitamins -- especially C, A (from carotenes), and B factors such as folic acid, riboflavin, niacin, and thiamine.

Helps cysts and cystitis

It is packed with nutrients, including significant amounts of calcium, iron, copper, magnesium, zinc, chlorophyll, protein, and vitamin A.

http://www.gardenplum.com/columnvine/chickweedisastar.html

Generally, it seems that the common wisdom is to Avoid use during pregnancy and nursing.