Chickweed

Can be found in our Bones & Teeth product.

Herbal Medicine Materia Medica: Chickweed

David Hoffmann L. BSc (Hons), MNIMH ©

 

Stellaria media

Caryophyllaceae

Habitat: A common weed, it grows everywhere in moist places and frequently in gardens.

Collection: This common `weed' can be collected in spring, but may be found throughout the year.

Part Used: Dried aerial parts.

Constituents:

• Saponin glycosides
• Coumarins and hydroxycoumarins
• Flavonoids
• Carboxylic acids
• Triterpenoids
• Vitamin C, about l50-350mg per l00g.

 

Actions: Anti-rheumatic, vulnerary, emollient.

Indications: Chickweed is commonly used as an external remedy for cuts, wounds and especially for itching and irritation. If eczema or psoriasis causes this sort of irritation, Chickweed may be used with benefit. Internally it has a reputation as a remedy for rheumatism.

King's Dispensatory gives the following uses: "Chickweed appears to be a cooling demulcent. I have seen the fresh leaves bruised and applied as a poultice to indolent, intractable ulcers of the leg, of many years standing, with the most decided and immediately beneficial results; to be changed 2 or 3 times a day. In acute ophthalmia, the bruised leaves will likewise be found a valuable application. An ointment, made by bruising fresh leaves in fresh lard, may be used in many forms of cutaneous disease. A tincture of Stellariamedia has been extolled in some quarters as a remedy for rheumatic pains of a fugative and shifting character.