Common chickweed is a type of plant originally of Eurasian descent, according to the Master Gardener Program of Washington State University. While it is now available worldwide for its medicinal properties, chickweed lacks scientific support role as a weight loss supplement, the Commonwealth of Virginia notes. Consult your medical adviser before entering into a weight loss program.
Background Information
Chickweed is a winter annual that is most easily recognized as a troublesome weed on turf grass, lawns and winter small grains, according to Virginia Tech. Its physical characteristics include rounded leaves and miniature white flowers in the shape of a dainty star. Drugs.com notes that chickweed has a rather nutritious chemical backbone, which includes B vitamins, calcium, magnesium, potassium, saponins and nitrate salts. Some herbalists recommend chickweed to treat certain medical ailments. Chickweed may be consumed in capsule and liquid form or in its natural state since the young shoots are edible. It may also be used as a topical treatment or enjoyed as a beverage.
Medicinal Properties
According to the Master Gardener Program of Washington State University, the benefits associated with chickweed may be traced to the presence of gamma-linolenic acid, or GLA. This fatty acid component is effective at treating symptoms resulting from gastrointestinal complications, skin irritation and inflammation. Gastrointestinal complications may include symptoms as minor as constipation or as severe as blood disorders. Chickweed has also been used for skin ailments, such as psoriasis, blisters and ulcers. This herb's anti-inflammatory properties help alleviate arthritis discomfort and stiff joints.
Weight Loss
Chickweed may be found as an ingredient in weight loss supplements. Studies have shown, according to the Women Fitness site, that this herb has the ability to break down fat molecules, resulting in fat loss. Consumed as a tea, chickweed works as a natural appetite-suppressant, digestive aid and diuretic. Diuretic products cleanse the body of toxins through frequent urination, which ultimately leads to water loss rather than fat loss.
Considerations
Test results remain inconclusive as to the effectiveness of chickweed as a weight loss aid. According to the Commonwealth of Virginia, claims of chickweed as a fat blocker lack "competent and reliable scientific research." Furthermore, when consumed as a tea, any weight lost is water weight and, therefore, not permanent. According to registered dietitian Katherine Zeratsky of the Mayo Clinic, the best way to manage bloat is to hydrate with water, decrease sodium intake and consume more fresh fruits and vegetables.
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