Uses for Chickweed

 Chickweed (Stellaria media (L.))


Description - Chickweed grows in a unique, intertwined manner, and it has small white star-shaped flowers hence its Latin name, Stellaria media. Stems have a thin line of white hair that grows in a weave-like pattern. flowers are small, white, and are produced at the tips of stems and in angles between branches. The white petals are shorter than the 3-4mm long green sepals; each of the 5 petals is 2-lobed so the flower may appear to have 10 tiny petals.Chickweed leaves are oval with pointed tips that are smooth or slightly hairy.

Time of Year:  Early spring till end of summer (but can be year round if the weather is not bad)

 

Location: All of North American

Click Here for map  If it does not grow in your area do a search to see what kind does

Nutrient Content

Ascorbic acid (vitamin C), calcium, magnesium, potassium, and vitamins B6, B12 and D.

 

USES

You can eat the Leaves and seeds.

Editable uses

• Young leaves - raw or cooked as a potherb

• Chickweed leaves are used by adding them raw to salads and sandwiches

• They can be tossed into soups and stews When adding to a cooked dish, the stems and flowers can be used also.

• Seed - ground into a powder and used in making bread or to thicken soups  (high in protein)

• Very nutritious, they can be added to salads whilst the cooked leaves can scarcely be distinguished from spring spinach

Medical Uses

• Soothe severe itchiness even where all other remedies have failed

• Taken internally it is useful in the treatment of chest complaints and in small quantities it also aids digestion

• It can be applied as a poultice and will relieve any kind of roseola and is effective wherever there are fragile superficial veins

• It relieves constipation and be beneficial in the treatment of kidney issues

• The extract is also used externally to treat rheumatic pains, wounds and ulcers. You can add it to bath water and it help encourage tissue healing

• The squeezed juice of the plant has been used as an eyewash

• A poultice can be used for varicose veins and hemorrhoids

• A steam of the plant help with asthma 

Other Uses 

 Uses in all bath products, soap , shampoo, lotions, it is even added to mineral powder.....best stuff ever!!