Chickweed Extract

Species name: Latin name Stellaria media: a member of the Caryophyllaceae, or Pink family

Also known as: Adder's Mouth, star weed, stitchwort, Indian Chickweed, white bird's eye, winter weed, tongue grass, star chickweed, satin flower, Starwort, Tongue-Grass and Tongue Grass.

What is Chickweed Extract? Chickweed has a history with the Native Americans as well as the Europeans—where recorded documents date it back to the 16th century, as a general tonic to keep one healthy.

Used as a demulcent (means to caress) for hundreds of years, chickweed relieves inflamed mucous membranes and is great for all types of rashes and sores.

It is shunned by some professionals as worthless and revered by others as a good source of vitamins, minerals and the flavonoid, rutin. It can be purchased in capsules, oil or extract (tincture) form, topical ointment/cream or as a dried herb that can be used as a tea.

Home Remedies using Chickweed Extract:

Benefits and Uses of Chickweed Extract:

The high nutrient content of chickweed:

• iron
• potassium
• calcium
• copper
• zinc
• manganese
• sodium
• phosphorous
• silica

and vitamins such as A, D, C and the entire B complex aid in conditions like eczema, first-degree burns and other minor wounds as well as ordinary pimples.

An ointment or poultice can be applied externally to all types of abscesses, boils, piles and ulcers—by chopping and boiling the plants in lard, for soothing these conditions as well as preventing the spread of infection due to them.

Fresh juice or extract can be used to aid in warts and other skin growth removal and for the distress of nagging or chronic itching.

It can be used topically for conditions of the eyes—including pinkeye, as an aid in the treatment for ophthalmia (eye inflammation) and for conjunctivitis (eye infection) as well as for various skin ailments.

It is also used in herbal preparations for weight loss and is great washed and served fresh with other salad greens.

Salves made by mixing the chickweed with virgin olive oil that has been warmed over medium heat with beeswax can be used for skin ailments.

Place this mixture in a heavy roasting pan in a slow oven for about two hours to get a good infusion. Poultices can be applied directly to the affected eye ailments because of their ability to draw out the infection.

A tea can be made using the dried herb (will need to be strained) or tincture (extract) and steeped 20 minutes for dipping clean cloth or cotton balls into before applying to the affected (closed) eye.

Tea can also be used as a mild astringent, for coughs, bronchitis or problems in the digestive tract.

Chickweed extract can be taken three times a day in doses of 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoons for constipation, asthma and some blood disorders where it makes a good blood cleanser in cases such as tetanus and/or blood poisoning.

Capsules can also be taken for any of these conditions.

Side effects of Chickweed Extract:

Because chickweed contains nitrates in uncertain amounts it should not be used by those who are pregnant or breast-feeding and it could be responsible for miscarriage or birth defects.

Do not use for those younger than six months of age.