Chickweed
Stellaria media

Family: Caryophyllaceae (Carnation Family)
Genus: Stellaria
Species: media

Synonyms and Common names: Starweed, Star Chickweed, mouse ear, satinflower, tongue grass

Description and Habitat: Chickweed is one of the commonest weeds, it’s the bane of the gardener, and once it has a foothold it’s difficult to eradicate.  It’s native to Europe, but has spread to most of the world. 

Chickweed has shallow fibrous and fragile roots, and is easily uprooted by accident. The plant’s weak stems trail along the ground, but the growing tips may be upright to around 8” high. The stems branch very frequently and take root at the leaf junctions. The leaves are opposite each other, smooth and oval with a point at the tip, the older leaves are stalked whilst the new leaves are not. Chickweed flowers all year round except the midst of winter, its tiny white flowers have five notched petals and five green sepals that are longer than the petals.  The flowers develop into small capsule-like fruits which contain many tiny seeds (up to 15,000 per plant). The seeds generally germinate within a few years, but can remain viable for much longer

Parts used: The whole herb

Harvesting: Collect chickweed between May and July, when it is in the best condition, and dried in a dark, cool place well spread out to keep the leaves from mustiness. It is used both fresh and dried.

Constituents: Ascorbic-acid (vitamin C) Beta-carotene, Calcium, Coumarins, Genistein, Gamma-linolenic-acid, Flavonoids, Hentriacontanol, Magnesium, Niacin, Oleic-acid, Potassium, Riboflavin, Rutin, Selenium, Triterpenoid saponins, Thiamin, and Zinc

Actions: Astringent, Carminative, Demulcent, Depurative, Diuretic, Emmanagogue, Expectorant, Galactogogue, Kidney, Laxative, Opthalmic, Poultice, Refrigerant, Vulnarary

Indications: Eczema, coughs, rashes, burns, chapped skin, inflammatory skin conditions, insect bites, stings, wounds, nappy rash, itchy skin, psoriasis, blood cleanser, stomach ulcers.

Therapeutics and Pharmacology: Chickweed has a very long history of herbal use, being particularly beneficial in the external treatment of any kind of itching skin
condition. It has been known to 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 (reddening of the skin) and is effective wherever there are fragile superficial veins. An infusion of the fresh or dried herb can be added to the bath water and it's emollient property will help to reduce inflammation (in rheumatic joints for example) and encourage tissue repair. It is also believed to relieve constipation and be beneficial in the treatment of kidney complaints. The decoction is also used externally to treat rheumatic pains, wounds and ulcers. The expressed juice of the plant has been used as an eyewash.

Contraindications: In excess doses chickweed can cause diarrhoea and vomiting. It should not be used medicinally by pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Preparation and Dosage: Chickweed is used primarily as a topical cream applied to an affected area, or as a poultice.

It can also be taken as a tea or tincture, where a cup of boiling water is poured onto 1 to 2 teaspoonful of the dried herb, taken 3 times a day.
In tincture form 15 to 30 drops in 1/4 cup of water taken by mouth, up to three times a day.
Chickweed can also be used as a food, eaten fresh in salads or cooked for a few minutes only and eaten as a green vegetable, the taste is mild and refreshing.

Additional Comments & Folklore: Chickweed water is reputed to be an old remedy for obesity, chickens and many other birds love chickweed, and eat both the plants and the seeds, which is how it gets it's name.

The Chickweed is an instance of what is termed the 'Sleep of Plants,' for every night the leaves approach each other, so that their upper surfaces fold over the tender buds of the new shoots. 

The flowers close at night and open in the morning. They also close when it's about to rain. Possibly they respond to changes in air pressure. It does seem that the flowers don't open at all when a low pressure system is lingering.

Chickweed is termed an ‘invasive weed’, and is eradicated by gardeners as soon as it arrives in the garden, however, the definition of a weed is a plant that grows prolifically and literally isn’t wanted. Perhaps if people knew of the benefits this small herb can offer to both the table and the herbal practitioner, it may be accorded the respect it deserves.