Chickweed Herb
ALSO KNOWN AS
Stellaria media, and Stellaria spp, Mouse-ear, Adder’s Mouth, Tongue Grass, Alsine, Chick Wittles, Satinflower, Winter Weed, and Star Weed.
INTRODUCTION
Chickweed is an English herb easily recognized by its straggling, succulent stems bearing paired leaves and white star shaped flowers. It is said that there is no part of the world where chickweed doesn’t grow; it is even found in the North Arctic regions.
CONSTITUENTS
Coumarins, rutin, B vitamins, iron, saponins, thiamine, niacin, and vitamin C.
PARTS USED
The entire aerial part of plant.
TYPICAL PREPARATIONS
Most often used as a tincture or ointment. Can be encapsulated or taken as a tea. For external applications it may be used in salves, infused in oil, or ointments.
MEDICINAL USES
"A decoction of the whole plant of Chickweed is taken internally as a post-partum depurative, emmenagogue, galactogogue and circulatory tonic. It is also used to relieve constipation, an infusion of the dried herb is used in coughs and hoarseness, and is beneficial in the treatment of kidney complaints. as an astringent, carminative, demulcent, diuretic, expectorant, laxative, refrigerant, vulnerary. A decoction of the whole plant is taken internally as a post-partum depurative, emmenagogue, galactogogue and circulatory tonic. Chickweed is also used to relieve constipation, an infusion of the dried herb is used in coughs and hoarseness, and is beneficial in the treatment of kidney complaints. New research indicates Chickweed's use as an effective antihistamine. The decoction is also used externally to treat rheumatic pains, wounds and ulcers. Chickweed can be applied as a medicinal poultice and will relieve any kind of roseola and is effective wherever there are fragile superficial veins or itching skin conditions." - From www.altnature.com
PRECAUTIONS
Excessive doses have in rare occasions induced vomiting and/or diarrhea.
For educational purposes only This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Except for the quotation above, this information courtesy of MOUNTAIN ROSE HERBS with full, written permission for reuse.