Description
Botanical: Stellaria media
Other common names: Adder's Mouth, Stitchwort, Tongue Grass, Satin Flower, Indian Chickweed, Starwort, Winterweed, Starweed, Star Chickweed, White Bird's Eye, Passerina, Alsine Media
Vitamin and mineral-packed Chickweed has considerable nutritive value and has been used as an old and reliable herbal tonic for centuries to strengthen the health of the frail and sickly and generally act as a nutritive tonic to improve overall health. The humble Chickweed is still used by herbalists to soothe the inflamed tissue of sore throats and rheumatism, as well as relieve coughs, nasal congestion, colds and skin problems.
Country of Origin: Bulgaria.
Beneficial Uses:
Chickweed is considered an antitussive and demulcent that soothes, relieves and controls coughing, bronchitis, pleurisy, hoarseness, sore throat, chronic cough, nasal congestion and other symptoms associated with colds and flu.
As a diuretic, Chickweed is believed to stimulate the kidneys and promote urine flow. Along with its antibacterial properties, it has been useful in relieving urinary tract inflammations, including cystitis and vaginitis, as well as the elimination of excess water. In continental Europe, it is considered a fine cleansing diuretic that helps to remove waste and toxins in the increased urine. Chickweed is believed by herbalists to assist the body to eliminate mucus and fatty plaque from the system, as well as an herb that addresses fat accumulations, possibly helping to dissolve fat deposits and benign fatty tumors (lipoma).
Chickweed is thought to be an effective anti-inflammatory that helps to soothe the inflamed tissues of rheumatism and also heal wounds. Used externally, it is considered a topical anti-inflammatory that has been included in poultices to relieve inflamed skin conditions and treat sores, rashes, eczema, psoriasis, ulcers, boils, abscesses, carbuncles, lipoma and warts.
As an astringent, Chickweed has been used to relieve hemorrhoids, weakness of the bowels and diarrhea.
Chickweed is an old-time health tonic with considerable nutritive value and has been used for centuries to strengthen and improve the health of the frail and sickly. It is said to be as wholesome as spinach and is a great source of vitamin C, which has also made it valuable in treating scurvy.
The fiber content in Chickweed is thought to promote regularity in the bowels and ease constipation.
Contraindications:
Currently, there are no known warnings or contraindications with the use of Chickweed.
