CHICKWEED

(Stellaria media; CARYOPHYLLACEAE)

Part used:  Herb

Therapeutic action:

Demulcent, emollient, nutritive, resolvent, pectoral, alterative, refrigerant, mucilage and discutient.

Chickweed is an excellent herbal remedy for pulmonary complaints, any form of internal or external inflammation of the membranes or skin and weakness of the stomach and bowels (especially bleeding of the bowels or lungs). It is excellent for external applications to wounds, skin diseases, inflamed surface, etc. It is very nutritional as a food, eaten raw in salads or steamed as an ordinary vegetable (with the water used as a soothing and healing medicine either internally or externally).

Medicinal uses:

Asthma, bronchitis, swollen testicles, inflamed surfaces, skin eruptions, erysipelas, boils, scalds, burns, inflamed or sore eyes, tumors, hemorrhoids, cancer, ulcerated throat and mouth, deafness, wounds, blood poisoning, constipation, burning and itching genitals, scurvy, blood disorders, pleurisy, coughs, colds, hoarseness, rheumatism, peritonitis and appendicitis.

Preparation:

Decoction, fluid extract, infusion, ointment, powder, and

tincture.