Everything You Need to Know About

Chickweed (Stellaria media)

Botanical family: Caryophyllaceae
Parts used: Aerial Parts
Chickweed (Stellaria media)
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Overview & Health Benefits

Chickweed (Stellaria media), with its delicate, star-shaped flowers and ten seemingly separate white petals, is a powerhouse of nutrition and medicinal benefits (Singh et al., 2022). Its refreshing, slightly salty, and sweet flavour makes this early spring green a welcome addition to salads and a revitalising ingredient in traditional remedies. Chickweed has a rich history of use in traditional medicine, particularly for skin ailments, respiratory issues, and promoting overall well-being (Oladeji & Oyebamiji, 2020). Its rich nutrient profile, including vitamins, minerals, and essential amino acids, contributes to its status as a valuable "food as medicine", particularly as a spring tonic (Caldecott, 2012; Singh et al., 2022). Its cooling and moistening properties further enhance its efficacy in supporting the body's natural healing processes (Wood, 2008).

Key Benefits

  • Skin soothing
  • Wound healing
  • Lymphatic support
  • Mild diuretic
  • Respiratory soothing

Skin Soothing and Wound Healing: Chickweed's cooling, moistening, and anti-inflammatory properties make it a valuable remedy for various skin conditions, particularly where redness, warmth, dryness and itchiness are involved (McIntyre, 2019). Applied topically as a salve, poultice, or succus, it can soothe dry, itchy skin, eczema, and psoriasis (Miere et al., 2021). A study by Miere et al. (2021) demonstrated the wound-healing potential of Stellaria media extract in human dermal fibroblasts. Its vulnerary actions promote wound healing and reduce inflammation in burns, rashes, and other skin irritations (Wood, 2008).

Lymphatic and Kidney Support: Chickweed is traditionally used to promote healthy lymphatic drainage and kidney function, assisting the body in eliminating toxins and maintaining fluid balance (Wood, 2008). It is a soothing diuretic, relieving fluid retention (McIntyre, 2019).

Respiratory Support: Chickweed's moistening qualities extend to the respiratory system, where it can act as an expectorant to soothe coughs, sore throats, laryngitis and colds (McIntyre, 2019). The Cherokee use it to address fevers (Garrett, 2003). The root of its cousin, Stellaria dichotoma, is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to clear heat and fever, as well as for its styptic properties (Yin Chai Hu, 2015).

Antiviral and Antibacterial Potential: Research suggests chickweed may possess antiviral and antibacterial properties. Studies have shown that Stellaria media contains proteins that can inhibit the replication of herpes simplex virus type 2 in vitro (Shan et al., 2013). A study indicated potential anti-HBV activity (Ma et al., 2012). Additionally, the methanol extract of Stellaria holostea seeds showed antibacterial activity against specific bacterial species (Kumarasamy et al., 2002). Oladeji and Oyebamiji (2020) highlighted various pharmacological activities of Stellaria media, including antibacterial and antifungal properties. Singh et al. (2022) further reviewed the plant's antimicrobial potential. Miere et al. (2021) also observed antimicrobial activity of Stellaria media extract, particularly against S. aureus

Safety Profile

Chickweed is generally considered safe as a food and for short-term topical use. Allergic reactions are uncommon but possible; contact dermatitis has been reported (Bone & Mills, 2013). Large internal doses may cause gastrointestinal upset, including diarrhoea (Bone & Mills, 2013). Avoid applying fresh plant material to deep, infected or poorly healing wounds without professional guidance. Seek advice in pregnancy/breastfeeding or where diuretics, lithium, or anticoagulants are used.

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References

Bone, K., & Mills, S. (2013). Principles and practice of phytotherapy: Modern herbal medicine. Elsevier Health Sciences.

Caldecott, T. (2012). Food as medicine: The theory and practice of food. PhytoAlchemy.

Garrett, J.T. (2003). The Cherokee herbal: Native plant medicine from the four directions. Bear & Company.

Kumarasamy, Y., Cox, P.J., Jaspars, M., Nahar, L., & Sarker, S.D. (2002). Screening seeds of Scottish plants for antibacterial activity. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 83(1-2), 73-77. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0378-8741(02)00214-3 

Ma, L., Song, J., Shi, Y., Wang, C., Chen, B., Xie, D., & Jia, X. (2012). Anti-hepatitis B virus activity of chickweed [Stellaria media (L.) Vill.] extracts in HepG2.2.15 cells. Molecules, 17(7), 8633-46. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules17078633 

McIntyre, A. (2019). The complete herbal tutor. Aeon. 

Miere (Groza), F., Teușdea, A. C., Laslo, V., Cavalu, S., Fritea, L., Dobjanschi, L., Zdrinca, M., Zdrinca, M., Ganea, M., Pașc, P.,…Vicas, S. I. (2021). Evaluation of in vitro wound-healing potential, antioxidant capacity, and antimicrobial activity of Stellaria media (L.) Vill. Applied Sciences, 11(23), 11526. https://doi.org/10.3390/app112311526 

Oladeji, O.S., & Oyebamiji, A.K. (2020). Stellaria media (L.) Vill.- A plant with immense therapeutic potentials: Phytochemistry and pharmacology. Heliyon, 6(6), e04150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04150 

Rani, N., Vasudeva, N., & Sharma, S.K. (2012). Quality assessment and anti-obesity activity of Stellaria media (Linn.) Vill. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 12(1), 145. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-12-145 

Shan, Y., Zheng, Y., Guan, F., Zhou, J., Zhao, H., Xia, B., & Feng, X. (2013). Purification and characterization of a novel anti-HSV-2 protein with antiproliferative and peroxidase activities from Stellaria media. Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica, 45(8), 649–655. https://doi.org/10.1093/abbs/gmt060

Singh, R., Chaudhary, M., & Chauhan, E. S. (2022). Stellaria media Linn.: A comprehensive review highlights the nutritional, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities. Journal of Herbmed Pharmacology, 11(3), 330–338. https://doi.org/10.34172/jhp.2022.38 

Wood, M. (2008). The earthwise herbal: A complete guide to old world medicinal plants. North Atlantic Books.

Wood, C. (2009). Chickweed: My favorite salad green. https://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/February09/grandmother.htm 

Yin Chai Hu. (2015). In TCM Wiki. http://www.tcmwiki.com/wiki/yin-chai-hu