Wrens Nest & Stuff

Monograph Files

Vol 1 Number 00019-----------------------------------------------------------Created: 27 December 2000

Monograph #19

Chickweed

By Daibhaid A. O'Broder

Common Name —

Mouse-Ear, Satinflower, Star Chickweed, Starweed, Stitchwort, Tongue Grass, White Bird's-Eye, Winterweed.

Genus —

Stellaria media

Source —

A European native plant, it is a member of the Caryophyllaceae family. It has components which can be extracted from the leaves, stems, and flowers. It is an annual or short-lived perennial which has straggling, succulent stems with a great number of white flowerets and paired leaves.

Chemical Components —

While the active components are unknown, many sources of herbal literature shows various components such as saponins, nitrate salts, vitamin C, calcium, iron, coumarin, hydroxycoumarin, flavonoids (rutin), vitamin A, and most of the B-complex vitamins.

Parts Used —

The flowers, leaves, bark and root of this herb are used.

Description —

The leafy stems are a popular salad and vegetable herb however, there is a debate to the saponin content. It was also used to fade freckles. A poultice or ointment can be made from the herb, the effect of the ointment is such as being astringent, and treating inflamed skin, eczema, psoriasis, and surface veins. It is something of a drawing herb and can draw out splinters, soothes rheumatic joints, and heals wounds. A decoction is drunk as a purgative cleansing tonic that relieves constipation, cystitis, and general weakness. In Asia the aerial parts of the herb are used to cool and detoxify fever, acne, and snake bite.

Actions —

"None reported. One in-vitro animal study isolated two flavonoid components from the herb that possessed antioxidant activity." (Budzianowski et al., 1991)."

Common Forms —

Available as a crude herb in capsules, tea bags (caffeine-free), liquid extract, tinctures, ointments, and oils.

Reported Uses —

This common "weed" is commonly prescribed by herbalists as a remedy for both internal and external inflammatory conditions such as Rheumatoid Arthritis and various skin disorders. It is known as well to relieve skin irritations and pruritus. As an antitussive, expectorant, and antipyretic, this herb has been the subject of claims. For dieters it has been used a mild diuretic and laxative.

The herb has also been used as a 'blood cleanser,' and as a treatment for soothing sore throats and stomach ulcers. It have also been used as poultice to help draw out fluid from abscesses or boils, and as an ointment or salve to relieve burns, rashes and insect stings and bites. Chickweed is claimed to be an excellent emollient for chapped skin and healing of wounds and scrapes.

Dosage —

Adverse Reactions —

Interactions —

None Reported.

Contraindications —

Avoid use of this herb in pregnant or breast-feeding women.

Special Considerations —

Analysis —

"Despite widespread claims by herbalists of chickweed's potential value for various ailments, there is insufficient clinical evidence to support these therapeutic qualities.

References —

 

 

Links to visit —

 

 

Copyright ©2000 O'Broder, AOID Publishing, All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction of this monograph in any form without specific permission of the author is a definitive violation of this Copyright.