Growing
Chickweed, also known as winter weed, tongue grass, or mouse ear, is a low growing herbaceous plant. Most people consider this an obnoxious weed.
In the right cool and moist conditions, it can form a thick mat along the ground. It has tiny white flowers that bloom throughout the growing season.
Each flower has five petals and the leaves are oval-shaped. The leaves grow on opposite sides of the stem and have a row of tiny hairs that grows along the stem. At each leaf node, the hairs shift along a different part of the stem. The plant is easy to pull out of the ground due to its thin and shallow root system and it reseeds easily.
The seeds usually germinate in fall, followed by smaller extents of germination in spring and summer, and can remain viable in the soil up to 30 years. Chickweed usually prefers moist and fertile soils with near neutral pH values, but it can grow under a wide range of environmental conditions.
Eating
Although common chickweed is considered a pest in lawns and gardens, it is an edible plant. Its tender leaves can be readily used as a salad green or boiled as a potherb. It can be used in survival situations, especially during late winter months when it actively grows. With livestock, grazing this in large quantities can cause problems related to nitrate toxicity.
Harvesting
Harvest any part of chickweed that grows above the ground before it goes to seed. When it goes to seed, it becomes a bit tough. Regular harvesting and thinning allows for strong regrowth.
Medicinally
It was at one time used to promote fertility, as a gentle laxative, and for soothing the digestive tract. It was also used for a wide spectrum of conditions including bronchitis and asthma. Because it is high in vitamin C, sailors used chickweed vinegar to prevent scurvy when fresh citrus was unavailable.
Today, it is used for many of the same things but in addition, it is also used to help reduce hunger, which in turn helps some people to lose weight, helps with colds and flus, helps to regulate thyroid function, and helps with digestion.
Externally, chickweed poultices are used for reducing inflammation and treating anything that itches. Calendula isn’t the only amazing herb for the skin! It is full of vitamins and has as much iron as spinach.
Using
If you would prefer using chickweed internally in a tea form, you can steep the fresh herb or the dried herb in a covered teacup of warm water. Steep anywhere between 10 minutes to 60 minutes. Historically, the typical dosage is a half cup fresh herb or 1-2 teaspoons of dried herb per cup but I personally do much more.
If you would prefer using chickweed internally in tincture form, make sure the chickweed is dried before adding alcohol. Shake the covered jar each day for 8 weeks. Once the tincture is completed, it can be placed in amber colored bottles and stored in a cool, dark place. Then when you are ready to consume, place the correct dosage under the tongue for about thirty seconds and then swallowed. Historically, the typical dosage is 2-3ml taken 2-3 times per day.
But keep in mind, chickweed is also good for the skin so you can make a poultice or you can use the tincture for external use. They do make spray tops that can be put into the amber colored tincture bottles to make it very easy to spay on.
Precautions
Do not use during pregnancy or nursing.
I am betting, you may go to your yard today and look for this amazing herb. Find it, harvest it, and use it! You can’t find any better medicine than what is naturally growing outside!
If you want to purchase this herb, please consider using this affiliate link to purchase it. I highly recommend this link because of how they process and store herbs. You can’t always trust who you purchase from online, but with this company, I truly do feel it is top of the line and high quality. Just go to this link and type in ‘Chickweed’.
If you would like to find out more about the author or learn about other herbs, please consider visiting this link.
Stay natural!
~Dr. Amanda P. Cartwright
Video coming soon!