|
|
 You can see more information by clicking on the tabs above
Chickweed - with flower detail inset
|
aka Chickenwort, Craches, Maruns, Winterweed
Family: CAROPHYLLACEAE[1]
Watch video about how Chickweed can help you
This lovely low-growing, trailing weed is delicious, the whole herb is used in salads, soups or stir frys and as a herbal tea.
Chickweed is very high in Protein and minerals. It is very high in Vitamin C and is excellent for helping to dissolve fats in the body. Helps to liquify and remove mucous from the Respiratory tract. Is used to stop bleeding and inflamation from the lungs, bowels and stomach.
Used as a poultice it is wonderful for rashes and sores and a great scrub for acne.
Is excellent for weight reduction, particularly in discouraging fat retention.
Description
Chickweed - Stellaria media
|
Chickweed is an annual herb which grows to about 30-35 cm high; chickweed typically develops a sprawling mass of intertwined stems up to 70 cm in length.
Each stem node grow pairs of oval leaves that vary in size up to 15mm long.
When blooming (throughout its growth period) the plant displays white flowers, 7 mm across, with usually five, two-parted petals that are shorter than the sepals, are followed by oval seed pods.
A line of hairs runs up one side of the stem changing to the other side when it reaches the leaf node.
At Middle Path, Chickweed is a welcome winter friend which we see starting to sprout around April / May.
Natures fat-buster: treats many disorders - acne, appetite, asthma, allergys, bronchitis, cancer, inflammation, rheumatism, skin conditions and ulcerations to name just a few
Chickweed - Stellaria media
|
We have found these conditions respond very well to Chickweed
- Acne
- Boils
- Obesity
- Skin Problems
These other conditions have also responded well to treatment with Chickweed [2][3]:-
- Allergies
- Appetite imbalance
- Asthma
- Blood Poisoning
- Bronchitis
- Burns
- Cancer
- Canker
|
- Circulation
- Cleansing
- Colon
- Constipation
- Diabetes
- Frigidity
- Hay Fever
- Hemorrhoids
|
- Hoarseness
- Impotence
- Inflamation
- Itching
- Mouth Sores
- Pleurisy
- Psoriasis
|
- Rheumatism
- Sore Throat
- Sterility
- Swelling
- Tumors
- Ulcers
- Wounds
|
The benefits ascribed to chickweed are no-doubt enhanced by its high nutritional value, especially the presence of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA).
The medicinal effects of this fatty acid are similar to those ascribed to chickweed. GLA is typically recommended for a variety of skin problems, for hormone imbalances as in PMS, and for arthritis.
It is known to reverse obesity, congestion, reduce water retention, reduce inflammation, act as liver tonic and diminish the negative effects of alcohol abuse [4].
Contra-indications: It should not be used medicinally during pregnancy.
Documented actions of Chickweed include [5][6]:
Major medicinal actions of Chickweed[7]
Chickweed Tincture
|
|
- analgesic
- antibacterial
- anticancer
- antidepressant
- antidiabetic
- antihypertensive
- antiinflammatory
- antileukemic
- antimicrobial
- antioxidant
- antipyretic
- antirheumatic
- antiseptic
|
- antispasmodic
- antitumor
- antiulcerogenic
- antiviral
- ascorbic-acid
- astringent
- beta-carotene
- choleretic
- cosmetic
- demulcent
- detoxicant
- diuretic
- emollient
|
- fungicidal
- hypotensive
- laxative
- linoleic-acid
- mucilage
- niacin
- poultice
- riboflavin
- sedative
- thiamin
- vulnerary
|
That is a lot of health-maintaining activity in just one plant. However there is more - here are other actions attributed to the constituents found in Chickweed. Of course not all of these are considered major actions of Chickweed, however the list does demonstrate just how comprehensive Chickweed’s health maintaining abilities are.
Other actions of Chickweed[7]
Active constituents found in Chickweed[7]
Chickweed Tincture
|
|
- aluminum ( Plant 1,960 ppm )
- ascorbic-acid ( Plant 69 - 5,500 ppm )
- beta-carotene ( Plant 43 - 325 ppm )
- calcium ( Plant 12,100 ppm )
- chlorine ( Plant 12,936 ppm )
- chromium ( Plant 11 ppm )
- cobalt ( Plant 121 ppm )
- fiber ( Plant 17,000 - 205,000 ppm )
- gamma-linolenic-acid
- genistein
- iron ( Plant 2,530 ppm )
- linoleic-acid
- magnesium ( Plant 5,290 ppm )
- manganese ( Plant 153 ppm )
- mucilage ( Plant 70,000 - 120,000 ppm )
- niacin
- oleic-acid
- palmitic-acid
- phosphorus ( Plant 4,480 ppm )
- potassium ( Plant 18,400 ppm )
- riboflavin ( Plant 1.3 - 1.4 ppm )
- rutin
- selenium
- silicon ( Plant 157 ppm )
- sodium ( Plant 1,470 ppm )
- starch ( Root 15,300 ppm )
- stearic-acid
- sulfur ( Plant 3,828 ppm )
- thiamin ( Plant 0.2 - 2.1 ppm )
- tin
- zinc ( Plant 52 ppm )
|
Is it Safe for me to take Chickweed Tincture? If you have any concerns or apprehensions please use our free Herbal Tincture enquiry service so that we can make sure that what you want is completely safe for your situation or condition.
We especially encourage you to get in touch if you have any of the following health problems or conditions:
- An enlarged prostate gland
- Are preganant or breast-feeding
- Blood clotting problems
- Cancer
- Diabetes
|
|
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Immune system problems
|
|
- Liver problems
- Psychiatric problems
- Parkinson's disease
- Stroke
- Thyroid problems
|
You have two options when you purchase Chickweed tincture:
- For external use which you can apply externally to the soles of your feet or topically on an external condition - you can purchase these without a consultation.
- For internal use. If you wish to take it internally because of the potency of these tinctures you need to be sure they will not cause complications with an existing health condition or prescribed drugs you may be taking.
Chickweed tincture
|
If you are in any doubt about the possibility Chickweed tincture causing complications with prescription drugs or a medical condition you may have please get in touch so that we can advise you on the suitability of a particular tincture.
Especially if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
You can have an online consultation or visit our clinic for a thorough consultation if you wish to purchase our potent tinctures for internal use.
There are fewer concerns when using Chickweed tincture externally and our many years of experience has shown that the tincture is just as effective being applied into the soles of the feet or applied
topically
on external conditions where they will be absorbed into your system.
Our clients who have come for a consultation use the same tincture internally and we recommend they take half an eyedropper (about 1.5ml) of herbal tincture in a small glass of water three times per day for adults and a quarter of an eyedropper in a small glass of water for children.
Chickweed tincture is a potent liquid extract made from organic Chickweed. It is a concentrated way of getting herbal medicine into your body easily especially applying them to the soles of your feet. Once a tincture is prepared, it has an extremely long shelf life. Tinctures should be kept in a cool, dark cupboard to maintain their potency.
If you are on any prescribed medication we strongly advise you to use our free Herbal Tincture enquiry service to make sure that the medication and potent Chickweed tincture are compatible.
making medicine for internal use
|
How to Use Chickweed Tincture internally
How do I prepare my Chickweed Tincture?
Just add the recommended dosage - which is usually 1.5ml or one eyedropperfull - to a glass of drinking water or any other cold drink.
Then drink it.
When should I drink my Chickweed Tincture?
For best absorption, consume herbal tinctures 30 minutes or more before meals or drinking other liquids to avoid diluting it while it is in your digestive tract.
How to Use our Tinctures externally
how to apply a tincture to the soles of your feet
|
If you are treating an external condition - such as a skin infection - then simply apply the tincture directly to the site using the eyedropper or a suitable swab.
If you are treating an internal condition then the best way to get the tincture into your body is through the soles of your feet. The skin is a highly absorptive organ and the feet have the reflexology facility which helps get the healing properties of the herbs right to the place inside you where they will do the most good.
If you don't have someone to do it for you, the easiest way we've found is to apply it sitting down. Rest one foot on your other leg's thigh (use a towel to make sure the tincture doesn't drip on your furniture or clothes), squirt a small amount of tincture onto the palm of one hand (about 1.5ml or half an eyedropper), rub it gently into the sole of your foot. In most cases you will find it has been absorbed within 30 seconds or so - you'll know when your foot feels dry. Then do the same to your other foot and the treatment is complete.
Chickweed history
massed chickweed in the garden
|
In the 16 th century chickweed was given as a tonic to caged birds [8].
The 17 th century herbalist John Gerard recommended it as a remedy for mange [1].
In the 1st century CE, Dioscorides, a Greek physician, wrote that chickweed could be used with cornmeal for eye inflammation and that the juice could be introduced into the ear for an earache.
It was given as a tonic to malnourished children, reflecting its use in poor European rural areas as a “free food” in hard times.
Stellaria media (L) Vill. CARYOPHYLLACEAE
Chickweed
Chickweed is this herb's English name, herbe a I'oiseau its French name, Vogelmiere its German, and in medieval Latin morsus gallinae (hen's bite) - all of these emphasizing the association with birds.
It has long been used as a bird feed, and in winter it provides one of the few sources of fresh seed for them. Indeed, it is as a foodstuff for animals and poor country folk that it has received most attention; the ancient writers ignored it and it has few, if any, medicinal applications.
Stellaria is from the Latin stella meaning a star, after the flower shape; while media serves to distinguish this plant fiom both larger and smaller relatives as it means middle.
Description Vigorous annual, but rapidly propagating and found throughout the year. Stems much-branched, decumbent and ascending, very straggly, 10-40 cm tall. Leaves ovate-acute, long-petioled, 3-20 mm long; some leaves ovate and sessile. Flowers small, white, numerous on downwardly pointing stalks. Appearing early spring to mid-winter.
Distribution European native; distributed worldwide, and often naturalized as a weed of importance. On all moist, cultivated land and wasteland to 2000 m altitude.
Cultivation Wild plant.
Constituents Mineral salts including calcium and potassium salts; saponins. Uses (fresh stems and leaves) Vulnerary. The crushed plant may be used in poultices; once rubbed on arthritic joints to relieve discomfort. Used homeopathically in the treatment of rheumatism.
Uses Principally used as a salad herb or may be cooked as a vegetable with a knob of butter added. |
Chickweed cultivation
Generally regarded as a weed
Chickweed in flower
|
Chickweed is self-cultivating, we have not ever planted it yet each year, as winter approaches, the plant starts sprouting in more and more places around Middle Path.
From Herbs2000 [6]:
The chickweed is now found through much of the world, growing as a wild weed. Though originally it is a native species of Europe and Asia. Seen as a troublesome and hardy weed, the chickweed herb grows very easily in any open areas and in many waste spaces. Summer is the usual season for the harvesting of this herb - harvested parts of the herb are used in the preparation of a wide array of herbal medications.
Other notes on Chickweed's place in the world are available at PlantNET[9], kingdomPlantae.net[4],
Florabase[10], West Highland Flora[11] and Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)[12] which indicate how widespread this wonderful little plant has become.
Our Chickweed video courtesy Dancing Spectrum Video
| Chickweed - Stellaria media - 2 ways Chickweed can help you prevent and treat a broad range of conditions. |
A video showing you Chickweed at Middle Path courtesy Dancing Spectrum Video
| Some video showing you Chickweed at Middle Path |
You can see more information by clicking on the tabs below
middlepath.com.au> Middle Path> Plants> Chickweed - Stellaria mediaReferences
|
|
