Page 62 - Lost Book Remedies

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies

Chickweed,
Stellaria media

Chickweed is an annual plant in the Caryophyllaceae
(Pink) Family. This herb is naturalized to many parts
of North America. It is sometimes referred to as com-
mon chickweed to distinguish it from other plants with
the same name. It is also referred to as winterweed,
maruns, starweed, and chickenwort among others. It is
commonly grown as feed for chickens.

Identification: Common chickweed grows from 2
to 20 inches (5 cm to 50 cm) in height. Its intertwined
manner of growing usually covers large areas. Its flow-
ers are white and shaped similarly to a star. The oval Nerve Pain: Chickweed applied as a poultice or
leaves have cup-like tips with smooth and slightly salve helps relieve the pain and tingling caused by sur-
feathered edges. Its flowers are small, white, and star- face nerves misfiring.
shaped. They are produced at the tip of the stem. The
sepals are green in color. Constipation and Digestive Problems:
Chickweed tea treats constipation. Be careful not to
Edible Use: The leaves, stem, and flowers are edible overdo it with the decoction; it has a strong purgative
raw or cooked.
action.
Medicinal Use. Arthritis: A tea or tincture from Chickweed also has analgesic properties that act on the
this herb is used as a remedy for arthritis. It relieves digestive system to relieve pain, but it does not treat
the inflammation and pain of rheumatoid arthritis. the underlying causes.
Also try adding a strong tea to a warm bath and soaking
to relieve pain, especially on the knees and feet. Skin Irritations, Dermatitis, Eczema,
Hives, Shingles, and Varicose Veins: A salve
Roseola and Other Rashes: Children and adults or poultice made from chickweed works well for skin
suffering from roseola are plagued by an itchy rash. irritations, especially on itches and rashes. It is also
Use a poultice of moistened crushed chickweed leaves useful for varicose veins, hives, dermatitis, and ec-
applied to the rash for relief of pain and itching. Add- zema. You can add the decoction to your bath if the af-
ing a strong tea to the bathwater also helps.
fected area is larger.
Detoxification, Blood Purification, Teta-
nus, Boils, Herpes, and Venereal Diseases:
Chickweed is an excellent detoxification agent and
blood purifier. It draws poisons out of the body in cases
of blood poisoning, tetanus, or from poisons entering
the bloodstream through a wound.
For these purposes make a poultice from equal parts
chickweed, ginger root, and raw honey. Blend the mix-
ture to a smooth paste and apply it directly to the
wound and the surrounding area.

Cover the poultice and replace it every six hours. Also
Common Chickweed, Kaldari, CC0
take chickweed powder or tea to treat the problem
from the inside out. This same protocol works for the
treatment of boils, herpes sores, and other venereal

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