Chickweed: But A Useful One

You’ve probably seen Chickweed (Stellaria media) growing in your yard, a low-lying groundcover with small, white, star-shaped flowers. It’s often considered a weed, but it has a surprising range of medicinal benefits.

Inflammation
Chickweed is most known for its ability to reduce inflammation. It’s a traditional remedy for arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. The herb’s anti-inflammatory properties are believed to come from its saponin content, which helps to break down fats and proteins in the body. For arthritis, a tea or tincture is a common way to use it (tincture is better) helping to cool and soothe the internal heat associated with joint pain.

Other Uses
The benefits of chickweed extend far beyond arthritis. Its cooling and soothing properties make it an excellent external remedy. You can make a poultice from the crushed leaves and apply it directly to rashes or skin irritations like roseola. Adding a strong infusion of chickweed to a bath can also help soothe widespread skin discomfort.

Another internal use for chickweed is for relieving constipation. Chickweed acts as a laxative and can be quite effective, so a little goes a long way. It’s usually prepared as a decoction for this purpose. Just be sure to start with a small amount.

Historically, chickweed was also used to treat wounds. The crushed leaves were often mixed with honey and applied to cuts and scrapes. While the honey was the star of the show for its well-known wound-healing properties, the chickweed was a useful addition, offering a soothing and cooling effect to the irritated skin.

Growing and Harvesting
If you want to grow chickweed, you’ve probably already got it. It’s a tenacious little annual that seems like a perennial because it is an aggressive self-seeder. It loves cool, moist, and shady spots, so it often volunteers itself in gardens and lawns. It thrives in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 11 and can be harvested throughout the year in milder climates.

Harvesting is about as easy as it gets. You can snip the top parts of the plant, including the leaves, stems, and flowers. The best time is before it starts to get hot and the plant begins to fade. I like to gather it in the early spring when it’s at its most tender. You can use it fresh right away or dry it on a screen for future use in salves or tinctures.