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HERB ALLEY
Chickweed
(Stillaria media)
COMMON NAMES: Adder’s mouth,
Indian chickweed, satin flower, starwort, stitchwort, tongue-grass, winterweed.
MEDICINAL PART: The herb.
DESCRIPTION: Chickweek
is an annual or binnial weed found in abundance all over the world in gardens,
fields, lawns, wastelands, and along roadsides. The creeping, brittle
stems grow from 4 to 12 inches long and bear opposite, entire, ovate leaves.
The small white flowers can be found blooming all year long in terminal,
leafy cynes or solitary in the leaf axils.
PROPERTIES AND USES:
Carminitive, demulcent, expectorant, laxative. For serious constipation,
take a decoction of chickweed as described below. The fresh leaves
can be crushed and applied directly or made into an ointment with lard
or vaseline for bruises, irritations, and other skin problems.
Chickweed can also be used as a vegetable like spinach.
Good to stop bleeding
and inflammation from lungs, bowels, and stomach. Used as a poultice
for rashes and sores. High in vitamin C. Helps liquify and
remove mucous from respiratory tract. Helps dissolve fat in the body.
May be used as an external scrub for acne.
PREPERATION AND DOSAGES:
Chickweed can be used dry or fresh.
Infusion: Steep 1 Tbsp
herb in 1/2 cup water. Take 1/2 to 1 cup a day.
Decoction: Boil 3 heaping
Tbsp herb in 1 qt water until a pint of liquid remains. For constipation,
take a cupful warm every 3 hours, or more often, until the bowels move.
Juice: Take 1 tsp. to
1 Tbsp. three times a day.
The Herb Book by
John Lust
Herbally Yours by
Penny C. Royal
