Oh, it’s just a weed. Oh, wait it’s Common Chickweed!
Common Chickweed
I always talk about how medicinal and culinary herbs are right in your backyard. So, I decided to start a series of herbs that I come across in my area. I just have to have a disclaimer before, I get started. You don't want to forage and use plants where dogs frequent. Urine and dandelion tea doesn't sound appealing to me lol. Also, no plants that may be in highly polluted areas i.e. near highways and roads where they are exposed to exhaust fumes.
If you’re anything like me this article should excite you! My love for herbalism grows stronger every day. My daily walks aren’t the same, I can’t go for a walk or drive without having my eyes scanning the area for new herbs to research. I will literally pull over safely on the side of the road to snag a picture and respectfully grab a piece of plant to bring home to get familiar with the texture, aroma, and depending on where I gathered it from the taste (after researching whether it’s edible or not of course).
Now that spring has sprung flowers are blooming all over depending on where you live. This morning while on my walk I came across an abundance of “Common Chickweed” right in my front yard. Last summer my mom and I dug up a lot of “weeds” to plant a bush that she found at Loews. Not knowing that the flower bed wasn’t filled with just any weeds, but with actual medicine from the creator. It is so much goodness around our yard. If you’re interested in learning some useful fun facts about Chickweed keep reading.
There are a lot of plants with the same name so it’s best practice to know the Scientific/ Latin name so that there is no confusion. In this article, I am specifically talking about Stellaria media and will often refer to it as Common Chickweed or just Chickweed.
Common Name: Common Chickweed
Scientific Name: Stellaria Media
Properties: Demulcent, emollient, mucilage, alterative, diuretic, astringent, and nutritive
Energetic: Cooling and balancing
Common Chickweed is native to Europe but as you can see it has made its way to America and can be found almost all over the world. Chickweed is relative to the Caryophyllaceae plant family. It can be recognized by its hairy stems, oval leaves, and small, daisy-like blossoms with five crenelated petals.
For centuries it has been used for its culinary and medicinal properties. Herbalist far and near have used it to make oral decoctions, extracts, teas, and eyewashes, to treat an array of illnesses and conditions. Such as asthma, constipation, menstrual pain, cancer, and more. It was dubbed a “blood cleanser”. With its mucilaginous properties, it has been said to have been used to break down fats and fatty tissues ( i.e. tumors) as well as to dissolve plaque in the blood vessels in the body. Another folklore was to take chickweed at least 1 hour before a meal because it had a mild appetite suppressant effect, making it useful for those who were having trouble with weight loss. Lastly, its wonderful effects of relieving inflammation and irritation made it useful for treating stomach ulcers and inflamed bowels.
It is full of vitamins and minerals! It contains vitamins A, D, B complex, C, rutin (a bioflavinoid), calcium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, manganese, sodium, copper, iron, and silica making it highly nutritious. The plant is high in saponins, which are compounds that may cause an upset stomach in some people. Overconsumption of chickweed can also cause nausea, upset stomach, and diarrhea. With that being said it should only be eaten in moderation. This may be why there is conflicting information on whether to consume it or not.
However, it is still widely consumed as food in places like Japan. They prepare a dish called “Nanakusa-Gayu” “Nanakusa no sekku” which means Seven Herb Rice Porridge with chickweed being one of the seven herbs. They prepare the porridge after the New Year on January 7 to rest their stomachs after enjoying the holiday. The porridge is also said to protect from evil, and prevent illnessess and diseases.
Outside of Japan, it is unclear on whether it’s still widely used internally as medicine in the present day. Therefore, unless you’re talking to an experienced herbalist you may only hear about it being used topically in salves, or poultices to relieve skin irritations that causes itchy and inflamed skin, hives or to relieve pain.
This is strictly for educational and entertaining purposes. Always do your own research and talk to your practitioner before consuming any plants, herbs, or supplements.
If you’ve enjoyed this article or learned something new, please feel free to share it with your herbal besties!
May peace be with you, blessing be with you!
-Kandee
