Chickweed

Stellaria media

Arthritis, Skin, Nerve pain, Gastrointestinal (Gi), Blood cleanser

Arthritis – tea or tincture, bath soak – relieves inflammation and pain from arthritis

Skin – rashes, roseola, dermatitis, eczema, hives, shingles, varicose veins – crushed leaves poultice , bath soak

Nerve pain

GI – constipation (strong decoctions have purgative action), eases digestive pain

Cleanser – flushes, tonifies, feeds lymphatic system, detoxifies and purifies blood, tetanus, boils, herpes, venereal disease (STDs)

Use: aerial parts – flowers, leaves and young shoots raw or cooked (don’t eat too much of it raw, it may cause diarrhea and vomiting); fresh or dry; best to harvest early morning or late in the evening

It is usually grown to feed chickens. Tropical chickweed’s latin name is Drymaria cordata.

Contraindication: pregnancy