The Medicinal Use of Chickweed (Stellaria spp.)

Caryophyllaceae family

It came with a Japanese honeysuckle I ordered through an online nursery, attractive bright green vines with cute, tiny white flowers that looked like stars.  I’d never seen it in all my decades of gardening, so I decided to see what it would do.  Of course, it never disclosed the true intentions of taking over the planet.  Honestly, I think I would plant dandelions before this.  Alas, that ship has sailed.  We’re now at the “if life gives you lemons, make lemonade” stage. 

This mucilaginous herb has a reputation for digesting fats and fatty tumors.[1]

HARVEST

This mild and only slightly bitter weed packs a nutritious punch.  Use the aerial parts—the leaves, stems, and flowers.  The herb is best used fresh or preserved in a tincture or salve. [2]  The dried herb is a bit less potent. 

Add the herb to juice or smoothies.[3]   It also makes a nice addition to salads and soups.[4]  It thrives at between 53 and 68°F and grows throughout the US. 

NUTRITIONAL VALUE

Calcium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, zinc, vitamin C. [5] [6]

PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

• Appetite suppressant
• Take 1 hour before mealtimes[7]
• Carminative[8]
• Demulcent[9] [10] [11]
• Emollient[12] [13] [14] [15]
• Expectorant[16]
• Laxative[17]
• Nutritive[18]

PREPARATIONS

Capsule or powder.  1,000-2,000 mg, 2-3x per day.[19]

Decoction.  Boil ¼ cup herb in 1 quart of water until reduced to 16 ounces.  Take 8 ounces warm every 3 hours.[20] 

Infusion.  1-3 tablespoons fresh or dried leaves, stems, and flowers steeped in 6-12 ounces water, 1-3x per day[21] [22] [23]

Juice. 1-3 teaspoons, 3x per day.[24]

Oil use fresh or dried leaves, stems, and flowers[25]  [26]

Poultice.  Blend 1 cup of fresh plant matter with 1-2 tablespoons of water.  Place plant mash in the thin cloth or apply directly to the skin.  Leave on for 30 minutes and repeat with fresh herb as needed.[27]

Salve use fresh or dried leaves, stems, and flowers[28]  [29]

Tincture.  Fresh leaf, 1:2, 95% alcohol; recently dried leaf, 1:5, 50% alcohol.  ½ - 1 teaspoon as needed.[30]

Vinegarite.  1:2, fresh leaves in vinegar.  Dosage is 1 tablespoon, 1-3x per day[31] 

EFFECTIVE AGAINST

• Viruses
• Hepatitis B 

USAGE

• Cardiovascular
• Cardiomyopathy[32]
• Endocrine
• Type 2 diabetes
• Infusion[33]
• Eyes
• Inflammation[34] [35]
• Ointment[36]
• Itchiness
• Fresh juice[37][38]
• Poultice[39]
• Redness
• Fresh juice[40] [41]
• Soreness
• Fresh juice[42]
• Gastrointestinal
• Constipation[43]
• Decoction[44]
• Infusion[45]
• Hepatic
• Hepatitis B
• Juice[46]
• Liver disorders[47]
• Musculoskeletal
• Rheumatic joints[48]
• Respiratory
• Earache
• Juice[49]
• Cough[50]
• Hoarseness[51]
• Skin
• Acne
• Ointment[52]
• Boils
• Ointment[53]
• Bruises
• Ointment[54] [55]
• Chickenpox
• Bath[56]
• Diaper rash
• Salve[57]
• Eczema[58]
• Ointment[59]
• Salve[60]
• Hemorrhoids
• Ointment[61]
• Hives[62]
• Bath[63]
• Inflammation
• Ointment[64]
• Insect bites and stings
• Oil, salve[65] 
• Irritated skin[66] [67]
• Juice[68]
• Ointment[69]
• Poultice[70]
• Irritation[71]  [72]
• Infusion[73] 
• Poultice[74][75]
• Itching[76] [77] [78]
• Bath[79]
• Salve[80]
• Nettle stings[81]
• Salve[82]
• Psoriasis
• Ointment[83]
• Rash[84]
• Poultice[85]
• Sunburn[86] 
• Ulcers
• Ointment[87]
• Wounds[88]
• Oil, salve[89] 
• Urogenital
• Dysmenorrhea
• Tea[90]
• Kidney disorders[91]
• Lactation
• Tea[92]
• Postpartum
• Tea[93]
• Other
• Obesity[94] [95]
• Juice[96]
• Salad[97]
• Tea[98]

CAUTIONS

None known, according to Rosemary Gladstar.[99]  Should not be used during pregnancy according to Andrew Chevallier. [100]  May cause diarrhea and vomiting if used in excessive doses. [101]

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[1] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 336.

[2] Rosemary Gladstar, Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs, 2012, 122.

[3] Briana Wiles, Mountain States Medicinal Plants, 2018, 79.

[4] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 48.

[5] Rosemary Gladstar, Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs, 2012, 122.

[6] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 482.

[7] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 336.

[8] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 151.

[9] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 336.

[10] Rosemary Gladstar, Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs, 2012, 122.

[11] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 151.

[12] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3141300/

[13] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 336.

[14] Rosemary Gladstar, Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs, 2012, 122.

[15] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 282.

[16] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 151.

[17] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 151.

[18] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 336.

[19] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 336.

[20] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 151.

[21] Briana Wiles, Mountain States Medicinal Plants, 2018, 79.

[22] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 336.

[23] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 151.

[24] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 151.

[25] Briana Wiles, Mountain States Medicinal Plants, 2018, 79.

[26] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 336.

[27] Rosemary Gladstar, Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs, 2012, 122.

[28] Briana Wiles, Mountain States Medicinal Plants, 2018, 79.

[29] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 336.

[30] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 336.

[31] Briana Wiles, Mountain States Medicinal Plants, 2018, 79.

[32] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9039105/

[33] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9039105/

[34] Rosemary Gladstar, Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs, 2012, 122.

[35] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 282.

[36] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 48.

[37] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 48.

[38] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 336.

[39] Rosemary Gladstar, Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs, 2012, 122.

[40] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 48.

[41] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 336.

[42] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 48.

[43] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 151.

[44] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 151.

[45] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 48.

[46] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22810196/

[47] Rosemary Gladstar, Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs, 2012, 122.

[48] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 282.

[49] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 282.

[50] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 48.

[51] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 48.

[52] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 48.

[53] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 48.

[54] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 48.

[55] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 151.

[56] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 336.

[57] Rosemary Gladstar, Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs, 2012, 122.

[58] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 282.

[59] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 48.

[60] Rosemary Gladstar, Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs, 2012, 122.

[61] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 48.

[62] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 282.

[63] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 336.

[64] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 48.

[65] Briana Wiles, Mountain States Medicinal Plants, 2018, 79.

[66] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3141300/

[67] Rosemary Gladstar, Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs, 2012, 122.

[68] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 282.

[69] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 282.

[70] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 282.

[71] Briana Wiles, Mountain States Medicinal Plants, 2018, 79.

[72] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 151.

[73] Briana Wiles, Mountain States Medicinal Plants, 2018, 79.

[74] Briana Wiles, Mountain States Medicinal Plants, 2018, 79.

[75] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 336.

[76] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3141300/

[77] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 336.

[78] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 282.

[79] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 336.

[80] Rosemary Gladstar, Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs, 2012, 122.

[81] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 282.

[82] Rosemary Gladstar, Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs, 2012, 122.

[83] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 48.

[84] Briana Wiles, Mountain States Medicinal Plants, 2018, 79.

[85] Rosemary Gladstar, Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs, 2012, 122.

[86] Briana Wiles, Mountain States Medicinal Plants, 2018, 79.

[87] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 48.

[88] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3141300/

[89] Briana Wiles, Mountain States Medicinal Plants, 2018, 79.

[90] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 48.

[91] Rosemary Gladstar, Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs, 2012, 122.

[92] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 48.

[93] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 48.

[94] Rosemary Gladstar, Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs, 2012, 122.

[95] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 282.

[96] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 48.

[97] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 48.

[98] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 48.

[99] Rosemary Gladstar, Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs, 2012, 122.

[100] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 282.

[101] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 282.