Herb Basics: Chickweed: A Healthy Spring Green

This herb has great medicinal properties that tame coughs.

Article Tools
Bookmark and Share

Common name: Chickweed

Latin name: Stellaria media

Family: Caryophyllaceae

Part used: Leaves

Medicinal uses: Fresh chickweed is very nutritious—it contains vitamin C and protein—and is a great addition to a spring salad. Traditionally, the herb was considered soothing to irritated mucous membranes, and the dried herb was made into teas for coughs and hoarseness.

Forms commonly used: Fresh herb, dried herb, capsules, tinctures and teas.

Side effects: Chickweed is a very safe herb, listed in the Botanical Safety Handbook (CRC, 1997) as a Class 1 herb, meaning it can be consumed safely when used appropriately. According to Herbs for Health editorial adviser Steven Foster, in his book 101 Medicinal Herbs (Interweave, 1998), chickweed itself is not associated with side effects, but it may concentrate toxins in contaminated soil and has been known to be toxic to grazing cows.

Notes: Chickweed is thought to be native to southern Europe, but it now grows as a common weed throughout much of the world. Most commercial supplies of the herb come from Europe.

According to renowned herbalist James Duke, Ph.D., chickweed has “quite a folk reputation’’ as a weight-loss aid. His “Weed Feed’’ mixture of “slimming, edible weeds’’ includes chickweed, dandelion, evening primrose, nettle (cooked and cooled), plantain and purslane.

To make chickweed tea, steep 1 teaspoon of the dried herb in 1 cup boiling water for 10 minutes; strain and drink 1 cup daily.

RELATED CONTENT

Comments

Add Your Comment

You can use this comment form to enter your personal experiences or additional information and resources that you'd like to share with Herb Companion readers. Your helpful advice will be posted on this page.  E-mail addresses are never displayed on comments, but they are required to confirm your comments.

Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted — no need to use <p> or <br> tags.

New to Herb Companion?
Sign up to share comments.
Asterisks(*) indicate required fields.
Name*
Your name appears next to your comment.

E-mail Address*
This will be your login ID.

City State Zip Code

Password*


Confirm Password*

Comments
1500 character limit (Offensive materials and/or spam will be removed, no HTML allowed)
Please Note: Your sign-up must be verified via e-mail before your comment is published.


Pay Now & Save 50% off the Cover Price
First Name: *
Last Name: *
Address: *
City: *
State/Province: *
Zip/Postal Code:*
Country:
Email:*
(* indicates a required item)
Canadian subs: 1 year, (includes postage & GST). Foreign subs: 1 year, . U.S. funds.
Canadian Subscribers - Click Here
Non US and Canadian Subscribers - Click Here

Subscribe to The Herb Companion

Your guide to the many uses and even more pleasures of nature's most helpful plants!

The Herb Companion is the smart and easy complement to your own healthy, vibrant lifestyle! In every issue you'll find information on using herbs to:

  • Transform simple dishes into spectacular meals
  • Make gardens as useful as they are beautiful
  • Replace harsh chemicals with natural alternatives
  • Help find fulfillment, balance and good health
  • And much more!

Yes, send me a one-year subscription (6 issues) to The Herb Companion. I'll pay just $19.95.

Save Even More Money By Paying NOW!

Pay now with a credit card and take advantage of our Earth-friendly automatic renewal savings plan. You save an additional $5.00 and get 6 issues of The Herb Companion for only $14.95 (USA only).