3 Good Reasons Why You Need Chickweed

Chickweed, or Stellaria media is also known by the names “scarwort”, “star weed”, and “satin flower”.

It’s a common weed, easily found all over the world. It’s edible and has an abundance of nutrients, including protein, vitamins and minerals. But be aware of chickweed lookalikes because some of them can be toxic.

Externally, it is used for wounds, even on open skin, for drawing out toxins and increasing the permeability of bacterial cell walls.

It’s great on salads, and is often known for being a tender wild green.

Chickweed can be used in other recipes, such as teas, and in pestos. It has a bland flavor, but mixed with other greens can be quite delightful.

Since it’s most likely already in your yard as a “weed”, you are sure to be able to find some by looking for the right plant. It’s a “floppy” plant, with leaves of bright green.

It has small, white flowers approximately 1/2″ in diameter that are star shaped with deeply notched petals.

Chickweed is a demulcent, which means that it’s useful for soothing irritations in membranes.

This would be useful during colds, coughs, or the flu, drinking 6-12 grams of dried herb infused in one quart of water to be sipped on during the day.

It has also been used as a poultice for pink eye, by crushing the plant with your hands until it releases it’s “juice” and placing over the eye for 5-10 minutes.

Other common uses for chickweed are for skin irritations such as eczema.

To make an ointment for itchy skin soothing, you will need:

• 6 grams dried chickweed
• 6 grams dried marshmallow root (another herb with soothing properties)
• 1/2 cup jojoba oil
• 3 Tablespoons beeswax

1. Begin by placing the measured dried herbs in the jojoba oil.
2. Place in an ovenproof container, in a 200 degree oven for 2 hours.
3. Drain the herbs and throw away.
4. Place the infuse oil back into the oven with the beeswax and allow the beeswax to melt.

Stir to combine and pour into a container with a tight fighting lid. Allow to cool, and label with date and herbs and oils used.

To use, simply place a thin layer over the effected area 2-3x a day. You can also get the recipe for my detox salve here that includes chickweed.

This Little “Weed” Is a Star in the Yard

It provides green mulch for your plants, as well as having medicinal value to you. Locate some of this valuable and easy to find weed in your yard this Spring!