Chickweed young shoots are safe to eat and commonly used as salad greens, while several methods of chickweed preparations are used medicinally to purportedly manage a variety of conditions. However, there is not enough reliable information from research of chickweed to support its efficacy for any use. Consult with your health care provider if you are considering chickweed or any supplement for medicinal purposes.
Identification and Preparations
Chickweed is also commonly known as Stellaria media, mouse-ear, satinflower, starweed, winterweed, and chickenwort, among other names. Chickweed can be used topically in ointment form or as a poultice, which is a soft cloth soaked in a solution that is applied on the skin. The whole dried chickweed plant is used to prepare infusions. Chickweed tea is made using 2 tsp. or 10 g of the dried herb, taken 3 times a day. Also, fresh or dried chickweed leaves can make a solution that is added to bathwater.
Uses
Chickweed is used to purportedly relieve psoriasis, poison ivy, and poison oak. It is also used to possibly alleviate various conditions, such as inflammation, arthritis, asthma, constipation, blood ailments, and obesity.
Effectiveness
There is no research to support the effectiveness of chickweed for any condition and the amount of vitamins in chickweed is too low to have health benefits. However, applying chickweed to irritated areas of the skin may produce a soothing effect, says DrugDigest.org. This may be due to the astringent effect of chickweed that may help irritated skin by decreasing oozing, relieving inflammation and enhancing skin firmness.
Considerations
Chickweed is generally well tolerated but it may cause allergic skin reactions, particularly in individuals who are already sensitive to dandelion or plants in the daisy family. Individual cases of paralysis have been reported after taking large amounts of chickweed infusion but these have not been verified, notes DrugDigest.org.
Member Comments