Chickweed ~ Stellaria media

Chickweed

Latin name: Stellaria media

Family: Caryophyllaceae

Part used: herb

Habitat: common weed

Main constituents: saponin glycosides, coumarins, hydroxycoumarins, flavonoids, carboxylic acids, triterpenoids, Vitamin C

Energetics: drying, cooling

Main herbal actions: antipruritic, vulnerary, emollient, antirheumatic

Minor herbal actions: spring tonic, rejuvenator

Main medicinal uses: eczema, psoriasis, ulcers, boils, burns, wounds, hemorrhoids

Minor medicinal uses: rheumatism, weight loss (possible)

Preparations: fresh in salads; topically as ointment or poultice; tincture: 20-75 gtt qd-qid

Contraindications: unknown

Toxicity: unknown

Sources: Sharol Tilgner, N.D.: Herbal Medicine from the Heart of the Earth; Wren, R.C. Potter’s New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations