Stellaria, Chickweed

Dodoens, A Niewe Herball (1578)

English botany, or coloured figures of British plants,, J.E. Sowerby (1864)

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Botanical name:

Stellaria media (syn. Alsine media)

Parts used:

Whole Herb (preferably fresh)

Temperature & Taste:

Cool, moist. Sweet, Bitter

Classifications:

B. Clears Heat

Uses:

1. Clears Liver Heat, Resists Poison:
-Liver heat with red eyes, headache, bitter taste, yellow urine, and hard stool or constipation
-Abscesses, Eczema, Psoriasis, Itch
-Liver Heat swellings including Scrofula and Tumors
-Hydrophobia (Rabies); several authors recommended it as very effective
-sores and ulcers of the genital region; Leukorrhea
-Spasms, Tics, Cramps and Convulsions
-internally and topically for Liver heat eye problems; said to improve Eyesight.
-Also used for gall bladder complaints.

2. Benefits Yin, Clears Deficient Heat:
-good when the Yin and fluids have been damaged from heat as in febrile disease, chronic infections, and chronic wasting diseases, marked by Thirst, dry mouth and Night-sweats
-dry Cough, Hemoptysis, and low grade fever as seen in Consumption, chronic Bronchitis etc.
-deficient heat affecting the Heart, marked by Palpitations, dry Mouth and Anxiety or Fear.
-Fresh herb or juice is best for this function

3. Clears Heat, Promotes Stool:
-decoction has been used for Constipation from dryness of the Bowels, or heat.
-Colitis, Gastro-duodenal ulcers.
-Obesity.

4. Externally:
-applied to Cuts and Wounds.
-Itching, Irritation, or Eruptions of the skin, including such conditions as Psoriasis and Eczema
-hot Swellings, Abscesses and Carbuncles, Cysts and Tumors. (Washes, baths, poultice)
-bruised herb, or the juice made into a plaster is a good application over hot Livers, or to any hot inflammation
-demulcent with very good drawing properties; it can draw impurities from the skin when applied. (Poultice or fomentation)
-Tension or Cramping of the Muscles and Tendons; also Convulsions and Palsy
-Swollen Testicles. (fresh herb as a poultice)
-virulent Ulcers and Sores (juice or ointment)
-genital Sores and Ulcers (distilled water)
-distilled water as dropped into the Eyes for Sore, Red, Swollen and inflamed Eyes

Dose:

Decoction: 5–20 grams (dried) in Decoction, or 15–45 grams fresh;
Juice: 5–20 mls

Substitute:

Culpeper noted it is very similar to Purslane

Main Combinations:

1. Shortness of breath from Heat, Chickweed with Vervain (expressed juices of the herbs). (Wirtzung)
2. Chronic catarrhs of the respiratory and urinary organs, Chickweed with Horsetail, Lance-leaf Plantain, Nettle (Fischer)
3. Catarrh of the Lungs, Chickweed with Horsetail and Ivy leaf (equal parts) (Becker)
4. Hydrophobia (Rabies), Chickweed with Elecampane (Wonders in Weeds)
5. Hot Swellings and Abscesses, decoct Chickweed and Marshmallow root, beat to a pulp and with Linseed and Fenugreek, form a poultice. This was applied to swellings of he legs, abscesses, swellings, cramps, wounds and virulent Ulcers.
6. Cramps and tightness of the Sinews, decoct Chickweed with Rose in wine and apply.
7. Heat-type diseases of the Kidneys and Bladder, Chickweed with Horsetail and Lance-leaf Plantain (Flämig)
8. Eczema, Nappy rash, Psoriasis, dry and cracked skin, form an ointment with 10% fresh Chickweed (traditionally in Hog fat).

Cautions:

Generally Safe.
Use cautiously in those with a Cold and weak Stomach.

Main Preparations used:

Distilled Water of the Herb