Chickweed – sources, health benefits, nutrients, uses and constituents at NaturalPedia.com

Wednesday, July 05, 2017 by Earl Garcia

Chickweed is a popular salad green that is also typically used as a remedy to a host of diseases. An article published on LiveStrong.com notes that the weed’s oval leaves are commonly used as medicine. Chickweed, which is native to Europe and Asia comes in many names such as starwort , chickenwort, star chickweed and winterweed.

List of known nutrients

Chickweed is valued for its high nutrient content. According to an article on AltNature.com, chickweed is an excellent source of the following essential nutrients:

Ascorbic Acid
Beta-Carotene
Calcium
Coumarins
Flavonoids
Gamma Linolenic Acid
Genistein
Hentriacontanol
Iron
Magnesium
Manganese
Niacin
Oleic Acid
Phosphorus
Potassium
Riboflavin
Rutin
Selenium
Silica
Sodium
Thiamin
Triterpenoid Saponins
Vitamin A
Vitamin B
Vitamin D
Zinc

Medicinal uses for chickweed

Chickweed is best known for its soothing and healing properties that alleviate various skin diseases such as erysipelatous and other forms of ulceration. Likewise, the weed is known to ease many forms of cutaneous diseases. Aside from these, chickweed is also used in treating cuts, wounds, and minor burns as well as abscesses and skin irritations. The nutrient-rich weed is especially beneficial in relieving dryness, itching, and irritation associated with dermatitis, eczema, or psoriasis.

Consuming chickweed as tea or tincture is also found to ease rheumatism. On the other hand, using fresh or dried leaves as an infusion to bath water may help relieve inflammation triggered by rheumatic pain. Additionally, poultice made from chickweed is touted to treat any forms of roseola. Likewise, the powerful weed is known to address fragile superficial veins.

In addition, taking small quantities of chickweed decoction may promote digestive health by relieving constipation and digestive pain. Likewise, chickweed decoctions is used as a traditional herbal remedy for kidney complaints, cystitis, and other urinary tract infections. Chickweed is also notably effective in facilitating weight loss by reducing appetite and eliminating excess water weight.

Moreover, the herbal medicine is touted for its beneficial effects on the respiratory system. Chickweed is found to soothe mucus membranes and ease many respiratory conditions such as asthma, allergies, and bronchitis. Additionally, previous research has shown that the weed may mitigate bacterial growth that leads to tuberculosis. Furthermore, chickweed is known to be as effective as burdock root in detoxifying the blood and promoting the circulatory system’s overall health. A concoction made from fresh aerial parts of the weed may provide relief from extreme physical fatigue and debilitation.

Body systems supported by chickweed

Chickweed’s soothing, anti-inflammatory properties are particularly beneficial to the skin and the joints. The powerful herbal medicine also benefits the digestive and urinary systems. Likewise, chickweed supports the circulatory and the respiratory systems. Chickweed is known to support the muscular system too.

Ways to use chickweed

Aside from being a salad staple, chickweed can also be incorporated in pesto recipes. As an herbal medicine, chickweed can be processed into a salve to treat various skin conditions. The weed can also be turned into medicinal tea, which can be taken during a cold or flu.