Chickweed (Stellaria media) is a common plant found throughout Europe and North America. This low-growing annual herb, characterized by its thin, hairy stem and pointed oval leaves, has been used traditionally in infusions and extracts for a variety of purposes. While chickweed has a rich history of use, it's important to understand both its potential benefits and possible side effects.
What is Chickweed?
Chickweed is a low-growing, cool-season herbaceous plant belonging to the Caryophyllaceae family. It is valued for its nutritional and medicinal properties, particularly in herbal traditions across Europe and North America. Chickweed spreads easily in garden beds and meadows, often appearing in early spring and fall. Its delicate nature and abundance make it a favorite wild green for both foragers and gardeners. The plant earned its name due to the cluster of white flowers it produces.
There are several species of plants in the Stellaria genus that are called chickweed, which are members of the carnation plant family (Caryophyllaceae). The one that we use the most, common chickweed (Stellaria media) is native to Europe. At this point it’s naturalized in North America and grows virtually everywhere in this continent too. Star chickweed (S. pubera) is native to rich cove forests here in southern Appalachia. Although this species is less abundant, it’s perhaps even tastier, and more choice than the common variety.
Chickweed can be identified by its small, star-like white flowers and soft, vibrant green leaves. The stems often have a single line of tiny hairs running along one side, and when pulled apart, they reveal a stretchy inner core. It typically forms mats and thrives in cool, moist areas.
Traditional and Ethnobotanical Uses
Chickweed has been used as a folk remedy for centuries for many conditions, including asthma, blood disorders, conjunctivitis, constipation, inflammation, dyspepsia, skin ailments, and obesity. In homeopathy, the plant is used to relieve rheumatic pains and psoriasis. Chickweed is noted as a folk remedy for many conditions, including asthma, blood disorders, conjunctivitis, constipation, inflammation, dyspepsia, skin ailments, and obesity. In Ireland and Britain, chickweed is a common remedy for alleviating skin problems, speeding wound healing, and reducing irritation and itchiness.
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The ancient Greeks even wrote about using chickweed, and it was also commonly consumed in ancient Ireland.
Nutritional Value of Chickweed
Chickweed is packed with nutrients, especially for such a diminutive plant. It contains vitamins A, D, B complex, C, rutin (a bioflavinoid), calcium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, manganese, sodium, copper, iron and silica. It’s got just as much iron as spinach, along with other nutrients.
Nearly all parts of the common chickweed plant are edible, including the stems, leaves, flowers and seed pods. The young shoots are edible and have been used as salad greens.
Potential Health Benefits of Chickweed Tea
Chickweed tea is valued for its potential therapeutic properties. It is traditionally believed to aid weight loss, heal wounds, and reduce inflammation. Here's a closer look at some of the proposed benefits:
Anti-inflammatory Properties
Chickweed is traditionally used for its anti-inflammatory properties. One review found that applying whole chickweed as a plaster to swollen areas or even broken bones could provide anti-inflammatory, anti-irritation, and soothing effects. Another review observed that the whole plant can fight inflammation when used for inflamed skin, joints, and respiratory tract illnesses like bronchitis.
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Skin Health
Chickweed extract is more typically used externally for the treatment of rashes and sores. Because it has natural astringent, anti-inflammatory, cooling and drying effects, Stellaria media has been used to support skin health in folk medicine for centuries. There are several ways to use this plant to soothe inflamed and itchy skin, including by making a natural salve with homemade chickweed oil or adding some brewed chickweed tea or fresh juice to compresses or poultices. Chickweed has soothing, cooling, hydrating and healing properties when applied to sensitive or dry skin, especially in combination with oils such as coconut or olive oil.
Chickweed has long been used in natural skincare and haircare for its soothing, cooling effects. Applied topically as a salve, compress, or infused oil, it can help calm irritation, itching, eczema, and minor rashes. Chickweed is also sometimes used to support scalp health and reduce dandruff, with infusions added to rinses or oils.
Digestive Support
Chickweed tea is soothing and supportive for the digestive and urinary systems. It can help ease bloating, calm inflammation, and gently stimulate the body’s natural detox processes. The tea also delivers important nutrients and is sometimes used in herbal weight loss or cleansing regimens. Chickweed is considered to have mild, natural diuretic effects that support the health of the kidneys and bladder. It acts as a gentle laxative, demulcent, refrigerant, and anti-inflammatory. Internally, chickweed is known to calm and lubricate the digestive tract, making it especially helpful during times of digestive discomfort.
Weight Management
Chickweed has traditionally been used in herbal formulas to support healthy metabolism and reduce water retention. It contains compounds that act as gentle diuretics and may help suppress appetite slightly. Drinking chickweed tea or adding the greens to meals may aid in cleansing and weight-balancing efforts when paired with a healthy lifestyle. Chickweed is sometimes included in weight loss teas or tinctures due to its mild laxative and metabolism-supporting qualities.
One 2011 study found that orally administered chickweed extract suppressed progesterone-induced obesity in mice. All of the mice with progesterone-induced obesity experienced significant increases in body weight, body fat, and liver fat. However, those that were also given 90-180 mg of chickweed extract per pound (200-400 mg per kg) of body weight experienced significant decreases in these measurements, compared with the control and progesterone-treated groups.
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What’s more, another 2012 study in mice fed a high fat diet for 6 weeks found that consuming freeze-dried chickweed juice prevented weight gain and increases in body fat and total and LDL (bad) cholesterol, compared with a control group. These anti-obesity effects were attributed to the delayed absorption of dietary fats and carbs in the intestines as a result of the digestive-inhibiting enzymes in the chickweed juice.
Other Potential Benefits
- Respiratory Health: Chickweed is known to help soothe coughs, clear congestion, and reduce inflammation in the respiratory tract. The expectorant qualities of chickweed can assist in loosening mucus and easing breathing difficulties.
- Antimicrobial activity: Chickweed may fight germs and help heal wounds and infections. It has been used for these purposes in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, primarily for skin diseases. One test-tube study found that applying fresh chickweed juice could fight the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Applying the juice to an HBV-infected liver cell line for 6 days reduced HBV growth and production by over 25%.
- Support for Women's Health: Chickweed may help with hormonal balance, skin clarity, and menstrual support due to its mineral content and cooling properties. Its cooling and anti-inflammatory properties can soothe menstrual discomfort, while its mineral content helps support healthy skin, hair, and hormonal balance. Chickweed may also be useful in postpartum care as a nourishing and gentle healing herb.
How to Make Chickweed Tea
To make homemade chickweed tea, dry the greens first for one or two days. Steep the greens in very hot (not boiling) water for about 10-15 minutes before straining.
To make your own chickweed tea, add 1 1/2 cups (300 grams) of chickweed leaves to 3 cups (710 mL) of water and simmer over medium heat for approximately 10 minutes. Filter out the leaves and enjoy. Old herbal folklore suggests enjoying a cup of this tea every 2-3 hours, though there’s no research to suggest how often you should drink it to reap its potential benefits.
- Boil fresh, filtered water and let it cool for a few minutes.
- Add 1-2 teaspoons of Organic Chickweed loose leaf tea to the infuser for every 8 ounces (240ml) of water.
- Place the infuser or tea bag in a cup or mug and pour the hot water over the tea.
- Let it steep for 5-7 minutes, depending on how strong you prefer your tea.
Ways to Use Chickweed
- Eat raw leaves: You can add chopped chickweed leaves to dishes like soups, egg recipes, pastas, or pizzas. It can also be blended into dips and sauces like pesto or hummus.
- Apply directly to your skin: The whole chickweed plant can be applied directly to irritated skin to potentially reduce inflammation. You can also find chickweed salves or ointments that can be used to soothe bug bites, burns, cuts, and itchiness, as they’re said to have a cooling and drying effect on the skin.
- Make an infused oil: Chickweed-infused oil can be added to a bath or applied to your skin. To make infused chickweed oil, chop 2 cups (100 grams) of fresh chickweed leaves and leave them on your countertop to wilt for about 24 hours. Then, combine the leaves with 1 1/4 cups (270 grams) of coconut oil in a blender until smooth. Heat this mixture in a double boiler until it’s warmed through. Turn off the heat and let the mixture sit for 3 hours. Repeat the warming and sitting step 4 more times. The oil is ready to use when it takes on a green hue. At this point, strain it to remove any large pieces of leaves. Note that essential oils should be diluted with a carrier oil, and they should never be ingested. They’re for topical use only.
Potential Side Effects and Precautions
While chickweed is generally considered safe, it's important to be aware of potential side effects:
- Digestive Issues: It can possibly cause an upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, gas, cramping and increased urination. Consuming excessive amounts of chickweed can cause nausea and diarrhea.
- Saponin Content: One potential concern with eating lots of these greens is that their supply of saponins may be aggravating for some people. The plant is high in saponins, which are compounds that may cause an upset stomach in some people.
- Contact Dermatitis: It has also been reported that using chickweed directly on the skin could cause contact dermatitis in some people, though this may be due to an allergy.
- Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking chickweed if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Furthermore, there’s not enough evidence that using chickweed is safe for children or women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, so these populations should avoid the plant to prevent adverse outcomes.
It is important to fully inform your doctor about the herbal, vitamins, mineral or any other supplements you are taking before any kind of surgery or medical procedure.
Dosage
The appropriate dose of chickweed depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for chickweed. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Stick to drinking two to three cups of chickweed tea per day for several weeks at a time; then consider taking a break for one to two weeks.
Scientific Evidence
Although there is extensive scientific literature describing chickweed, the literature focuses largely on its control as an unwanted weed. The bioactive secondary metabolites have displayed diverse pharmacological activities such as antiobesity, antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant, antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antidiabetic, and anxiolytic activities using mostly in vitro and, in some cases, in vivo experiments on rats.
Animal data: A study in rats with induced hepatitis found the water-soluble fraction of chickweed was able to improve liver enzyme indices as well as being protective, this was demonstrated histologically. Anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) activity of S.
It’s important to note that the benefits listed above are the result of older studies that pertain only to animals. To better understand the effects of chickweed on humans, more recent and high quality research is necessary.