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Chickweed
Chickweed refers to a common plant of Eurasian origin that is now present throughout
the areas that European people have traveled. Although there are several plants
known as Chickweed, the most common one is known by its botanical name, Stellaria
media. Chickweed is commonly found in gardens as a weed and receives its name
due to the fact that young chickens enjoy its taste. It is also known as: Alsine
media, Augentrosgräs, Passerina, Starweed, Star Chickweed, and Stellaire.
Chickweed is an annual growing plant that germinates year-round. However, it
often germinates in the fall while surviving through the winter. During the
early spring, Chickweed begins to flower and set seeds and by the summer, it
dies. Chickweed thrives in the spring and fall as it prefers cool and damp conditions.
The roots of Chickweed are shallow and fragile, while its stem is weak. The
stem mainly trails along the grown to a length of sixteen inches, although its
growing ends may be upright to a height of eight inches. At its joints, the
color of the stem is pale green and it is slightly swollen. Distinguishing itself
from plants in the same genus, Chickweed contains a line of hairs that run up
the stem on one side only in which it runs on the opposite side when it reaches
a pair of leaves. Chickweed leaves are about ½ inch long and ¼ inch broad with
flat stalks below but no stalks above it. They are found on the stem in pairs
and white star-like flowers can be found in the axils of the upper leaves. These
flowers are approximately ¼ inch in diameter and close at night while opening
in the morning. These flowers develop into fruits that contain many seeds which
germinate within a few years. One Chickweed plant contains up to 15,000 seeds.
The seeds are a common food source for: wild and caged birds, pigs, rabbits,
cows, and horses. Sheep are indifferent to the taste of Chickweed seeds while
goats refuse to touch it. Chickweed is collected between May and June where
its medicinal properties are at its highest condition.
Although Chickweed was commonly used in folk medicine as food to treat a variety
of health conditions, it is now most commonly used as a topical cream. The medical
properties of Chickweed are contained within its leaves, stems, and flowers.
Chickweed contains high levels of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), mucilage, rutin,
paraamino benzoic acid (PABA), gamma linolenic acid (GLA), niacin, riboflavin
(B2), thiamin (B1), beta carotene (A), magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium,
zinc, phosphorous, manganese, sodium, selenium, and silicon. Scientific studies
have yet to clarify why Chickweed contains such a high medicinal value, although
it is believed that it is mainly due to its high nutritional value. The presence
of GLA is particularly important as it is recommended as a treatment for such
medical problems as: arthritis, congestion, hormone imbalance, inflammation,
obesity, and various skin problems.
Chickweed works as a diuretic, demulcent, expectorant, laxative, and tonic.
It is often used as a way to treat asthma, bronchitis, or congestion. When used
externally, Chickweed relieves itching and inflammation. It is often used as
a treatment for skin infections and irritations. Used as a cream, it is recommended
that it be applied several times per day to areas where rashes and inflammatory
skin conditions are present. Chickweed can also be used as a tincture and it
is recommended that 1 to 5 ml be drunk three times per day. As a tea, ten grams
of Chickweed is recommended three times per day. Although there are no significant
side effects associated with Chickweed, over-consumption can lead to diarrhea.
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