Chickweed Recipes: Grilled Cheese! (2024)

FAQs

What are the side effects of chickweed herb? ›

Chickweed may cause an upset stomach or irritated skin in some people. It should be avoided by children and pregnant and breastfeeding women due to a lack of evidence on its safety in these populations.

The whole plant, except the roots, is delicious. Eaten raw, it tastes like corn-on-the-cob, or like cornsilk. Cooked, it's more like spinach. Always chop the entire plant, except the roots, into bite-sized pieces before using it.

Because of its ability to produce large numbers of seeds under cool temperatures, common chickweed rapidly colonizes any cool, moist area before winter or spring crops can become competitive. In commercial situations common chickweed can limit winter vegetable production by competing for space, light, and nitrogen.

Common Chickweed Uses

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 as a famine food, especially during late winter months when it actively grows.

Special Precautions and Warnings

Some people are allergic to chickweed. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Chickweed is commonly consumed in foods. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if chickweed is safe to use in larger amounts as medicine when pregnant or breast-feeding.

Its flowers and leaves are, indeed, edible, though in large quantities the saponoids it contains can cause stomach upset. Chickweed flowers and leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. Fresh flowers and leaves are tossed into salads, stir fries, stews, or pesto.

Conclusion. Common chickweed (Stellaria media) is a plant that grows in cool climates throughout the U.S. and Europe. It's a nutrient-rich plant that is a good source of antioxidants, vitamins A and C, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, and more.

Medicinal Uses of Chickweed

Herbal actions: laxative, demulcent, refrigerant, anti-Inflammatory. A poultice of chickweed can be especially useful topically for inflammation, abscesses, and anything itchy. Internally, it's a gentle laxative and is soothing to the digestive tract.

Chickweed is a plant. The leaf is used to make medicine. People take chickweed for constipation, stomach and bowel problems, blood disorders, asthma and other lung diseases, obesity, a vitamin C deficiency disease called scurvy, a skin condition called psoriasis, rabies, itching, and muscle and joint pain.

It's edible for many animals, including humans, though eating too much can cause side effects in some. Chickweed is problematic for homeowners, as it takes over lawns and gardens and creates a haven for insects and plant viruses.

How does chickweed help you lose weight? ›

Healthy Weight Loss

A natural appetite suppressant, the saponins in Chickweed have been found to emulsify fat cells and flush them from the body. This versatile herb also supports healthy thyroid function which is essential in the smooth running of the body's metabolism.

On the basis of this study it can be concluded that the possible anti-inflammatory activity on the skin of the extracts obtained from chickweed herb is due to their antioxidant activity, but not via an influence on activity of pro-inflammatory enzymes like hyaluronidase or lipoxygenase.

The herb was also used to alleviate respiratory issues, including coughs and bronchitis. Additionally, chickweed was believed to have diuretic properties and was used to promote kidney health.

It can be found growing in dense patches, each part of the plant supporting the other to stand up right. This formation makes it easy to harvest from. Each part above-ground is edible, but we suggest snipping only the top inch or two as the stem can become stringy and too fibrous for some people's palettes.

In European folklore and magic, chickweed was used to promote fidelity, attract love, and maintain relationships. A sprig of chickweed carried was used to draw the attention of a loved one or ensure the fidelity of one's mate. Sailors used chickweed vinegar to prevent scurvy when fresh citrus was unavailable.

This weed spreads rapidly from new roots emerging from nodes on the stems. Due to this prolific reproductive cycle, this hardy weed can quickly and easily pose a threat to any lawn with the right conditions.

As a spring tonic, Chickweed has traditionally been used to help cleanse the blood and will add strength and vitality to any person after a long winter.

Chickweed is often mistaken for a useless weed – but in fact it is an edible, medicinal and extremely useful plant in your garden.