Scientific name
Stellaria Media, Stellaria Spp.
Common Name
Chickweed, Stitchweed, Stitchwort, Star Weed, Starwort, Adder’s Mouth
Family
Caryophyllaceae
Parts Used
Leaves, Flowers, Roots
Native To
Europe and Asia
Geographic Distribution
Northern Hemisphere
Botanical Description
Tender, creeping perennial
Leaves grow in opposite pairs directly from the stem without a petiole
Leaves are spade or lance shaped with smooth margins
A line of tiny hairs climbs up one side of the stalk and switches sides after each leaf pair
5 petaled white flowers have deeply cleft petals and 10 stamen surrounding 3 styles
Sepals form a distinct star shape behind the flowers
Key Constituents
Vitamins and Minerals (vitamins A, C, E, B-complex, calcium, copper, iron,
magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc)
Gama-linolenic Acid (an omega-6 fatty acid that is important to brain
function, skeletal growth, hair and nail growth, and metabolism)
Mucilage (soothing and moistening)
Coumarins (Antiviral and antifungal, protects neurons, fights inflammation)
Saponins (break down fatty deposits, cysts, tumors)
Sustainability Issues
None known.
Harvesting Guidelines
Look for chickweed in partial to full shade in lawns, gardens, and forests.
Gather aerial parts by hand and use fresh. Can be used fresh as food, tea, decoction or poultice, or infused and used topically as a salve or oil.
Actions
Alterative
Vulnerary
Anti-inflammatory
Antimicrobial
Expectorant
Lymphagogue
Taste & Energetics
Green/Fresh
Sweet
Astringent
Slightly sour
Cooling
Moistening
Uses
Chickweed, like Nettle, is one of the earliest spring greens and is a super-
food packed full of nourishment for the body after a long winter. It’s
primary role is as a nutritive tonic that revitalizes and rebalances the body.
Consider the moisture in chickweed, it is very fresh and contains a lot of
water, we can also think about it as working with the waters in our bodies.
It encourages lymphatic fluid to circulate in our body, cleansing and
detoxifying. It is a diuretic plant that encourages excess water and waste
to leave our system through the kidneys. It removes congestion and
mucus from the lungs and the saponins will actually break down cysts,
undigested proteins, fat cells and tumors.
The juice of chickweed when used fresh as poultice or tea or infused into
salve or oil has a rich history of use for irritated and inflamed skin
conditions and minor injuries and infections as well as to soothe swollen or
arthritic joints.
Chickeweed pesto is the best-o! FIND MY FAVORITE CHICKWEED PESTO RECIPE HERE!
Safety
Generally a safe, mild, nutritious herb. Very large concentrated doses may
cause stomach upset especially preparations of the seeds.
Top right cover image by Kaldari - Own work, CC0, https://