Nourishing Herbs: Chickweed: The Little Star of Spring with Nourishing Recipes

By: Candice Brunlinger, Herbalist

Chickweed (Stellaria media)

After a long drought we have finally had a nice wet winter here on the Pacific North Coast and the rains have nourished our earth and forest floors, bringing a vibrant green we have been missing the last few years. The transition from winter to spring is one of my favorite times of year as I love to go for walks and admire the early spring plants sprouting from the damp earth. My energy tends to correlate with the energy of the plants as I am ready to come forth and be more active outdoors, awaking from my hibernating winter energy, more restored and rejuvenated. This month I would like to highlight one of my favorite spring greens, Chickweed (Stellaria media).

Chickens Eating Chickweed

Chickweed is a sweet natured plant which has an association with the fairies as the leaves are very little and are the perfect size to feed them and other mystical folk lore creatures. Chickweed grows like a ground cover, making a soft but dense carpet on shaded forest floors. This weed can be found all over the world, especially in temperate climates where there is shaded, damp and rich soil. Its botanical or Latin name, Stellaria, means “little star” because of her very small star-shaped flowers and media means “in the midst of”. It also goes by the following names: “starweed”, “satin flower”, “tongue grass”, “white bird’s eye”, “scarwort” and “mouse ears” since the leaves are shaped like the ears of a little mouse. [1] The common name chickweed comes from the old custom of using the seeds to feed birds and chickens. The greens can also be used to feed other farm animals, life stock and household pets.

A few characteristics to look for when identifying this plant is its double loop or cleft petals which resemble bunny ears. Even though the flowers have 5 petals which look like a star, each petal looks like 2 giving the chickweed flower a false appearance of 10 petals. If you look closely at the stem, there is a row of fine hairs which grow on only one side of the stem, switching sides at each pair of leaves. The opposite leaves also change where they grow from the stem alternating their position with each node. The leaves can vary in size and resemble mouse ears with a little point at the end.[2]

This annual plant can grow all year long in the right conditions but is most prevalent in late winter and early-mid spring. It self-seeds very easily and also spreads by taking root as the branches become heavy and fall, sprouting roots along the numerous nodes along the stem. Chickweed is one of the few plants which can grow throughout the winter and it still maintains its green leaves under the snow and frost; however, when the frost fades and the weather warms for spring, this plant becomes more abundant and can grow about a foot tall and climb up nearby plants and trees. Then it dies back in late spring-early summer when the weather starts to get dry and hot.

Summary of Chickweed’s Benefits

· Nourishing & mineral rich

· Anti-inflammatory

· Cooling

· Moistening – mucilaginous, demulcent, emollient

· Healing

· Drawing action for first aid use

· Lymphatic & decongestant

· Diuretic

· Digestive tonic & nutrient absorption

· Enhances metabolism & burns fat

Nourishing Super Green

This mineral rich weed is packed with nutritional benefits. It is high in vitamins A, C, D, and some of the B-complex, especially riboflavin, niacin and thiamine. It is also rich in bioflavonoids, calcium, chlorophyll, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, protein, potassium, silica, zinc and many other trace minerals. Here are a few examples of the high nutritional content of chickweed per serving (approximately ½ cup of fresh leaves): [3]

Vitamin A - 300%
Vitamin C - 625%
Calcium - 121%
Iron - 1406%
Potassium - 1840mg

The substantial levels of vitamins and minerals, tender leaves and delicious mild flavor make chickweed a wonderful super green which we can use just like any other green in our meals. The fresh leaves, stems and flowers can be used. Unfortunately, the plant does not dry very well and loses a majority of its benefits; however, the dried leaf can still be used to make tea and other nourishing infusions to use in our food. If you have access to the fresh use it in your salads, sautéed vegetables, juices, smoothies, sandwiches, green sauces, pesto, soups and stews, baked goods, etc. Refer to the recipes at the end of this article for inspiration. You can also juice it or slightly steam it until it starts to wilt. Then freeze in small portions and use throughout the year when it is not in season.

Topical First Aid

The cooling, anti-inflammatory and healing benefits of chickweed make it a great first aid remedy. Use a fresh chickweed poultice directly on the skin or make a strong tea and soak a piece of cloth in it to wrap the area or add the tea into your bath water. Chickweed is also almost always included in my healing salves and oil infusions. It is a great remedy for any kind of rash, bug bites and stings, poison oak/ivy, burns, itchy irritated skin, diaper rash, eczema, etc. Just keep in mind to avoid oils and salves on a fresh burn and only use it in the later stages of healing. See the recipes below for instructions on how to make a chickweed poultice, tea, oil infusion and salve.

Chickweed is also very beneficial for drawing out bacterial infections from the skin. Use it by itself or combine it with a little fresh plantain and/or calendula for pus-filled and bacteria infected wounds.

Chickweed is one of my favorite remedies to soothe irritated and inflamed eyes and speeding the healing of sties and conjunctivitis (pink eye). The fresh poultice is best. Just crush the leaves and apply on the infected eye for about 10-15 minutes. Discard the herb and repeat 2-3 times a day or as needed until healed. You can also make a tea and strain the herb out using a coffee filter or tightly woven cloth and either drop the infusion into the eye or use it as an eye wash.

Cooling & Healing Anti-inflammatory

Chickweed cools heat and calms inflammation throughout the body. It sooths irritated tissues, especially throughout the digestive, respiratory, reproductive and urinary organs. The fresh juices of the chickweed are very lubricating and mucilaginous, coating the tissues to help protect and heal them. Chickweed can even be added to other herbs such as marshmallow, meadowsweet, calendula and licorice to sooth and heal the lungs, dry sore throats, stomach and intestines. Or add it to uva ursi, corn silk and/or dandelion leaf to sooth UTI’s and bladder infections.

Lymphatic, Decongestant & Dissolving Agent

Chickweed is a great decongestant and moves stagnant fluids and tissue making it a great remedy for swollen lymph glands. I like to use it along with other lymphatic herbs such as red root, cleavers and calendula. Chickweed is known as a great nourishing woman’s tonic for its benefits in preventing and dissolving cysts, especially in ovarian and breast tissues. I think it pairs really well with violet and red clover for this benefit.

The main action chickweed has for this is the saponins found in the plant especially in when the leaves are still fresh. Saponins have a soap-like consistency that emulsify and increase the permeability of membranes helping to dissolve cell walls. When used consistently over time (6 – 12 months), chickweed can shrink and dissolve cysts and benign tumors.[4] It would be best to use the fresh leaves in food when in season and make a large batch of a vinegar infusion and tincture to continue using when it is not in season. See recipes below for making your own.

Diuretic

Chickweed is a soothing diuretic which flushes excess water from the body while supporting the urinary tract system and kidneys without depleting minerals from the body. It is great for anyone prone to UTI’s , interstitial cystitis, chronic cystitis, or an irritated bladder which is common when these conditions occur, after childbirth and any kind of abdominal surgery. Chickweed soothes and cools, removes bacteria, and strengthens the bladder wall to improve overall urinary functions. It is commonly used in detox formulas for its nourishing and cleansing benefits.

Digestion, Nutrient Absorption, Metabolism & Weight Loss

Chickweed can help cool heat and reduce inflammation throughout the digestive track benefiting conditions such as gastritis, colitis and ulcers. It can be a great herbal ally for restoring the body and for gut healing especially after surgery or illness and with food allergies and leaky gut. It coats and protects the lining of the stomach and intestines. The saponins also increase our ability to absorb nutrients while toning down excessive permeability from leaky gut.

Since chickweed can dissolve unwanted and unneeded cells throughout the body, it is great for burning fat, cleansing and weight loss. Keep in mind that chickweed on its own may not result in weight loss but with a healthy diet and active lifestyle it can be a great aid to support the body as it comes to a more balanced and healthy weight. The nourishing benefits also help with reducing food cravings and suppressing excessive hunger.

Chickweed helps to balance metabolism and improve thyroid function. I am not familiar with it directly stimulating the thyroid like other plants. It most likely works indirectly through the nourishing benefits, gut healing, breaking up stagnation, dissolving fat cells and preventing excess weight gain. Although, we have so much more to learn from the plant on how it works and the ways it benefits us.

Energetic and Psychic Healing

Consuming chickweed has many benefits for us physically but she is also works by healing our spirit and psychic energy too. According to Susan Weed “she opens us up to cosmic energies and gives us the inner strength we need to handle those energies.” [5] Chickweed also breaks up the sluggish and stagnant energy we feel when we are unmotivated and “bogged down” especially when we are transitioning from the winter hibernating energy into a renewed and fresh spring time energy.

Growing Chickweed

Chickweed is commonly referred to as a backyard weed since it is a very common weed which grows all over the world. If you live in a temperate climate or have a shaded area in your yard you can very easily grow it. You can purchase seeds from Horizon Herbs or go to your local nursery and ask if they have it or if they can order plant starts for you. Another benefit to growing your own chickweed is that it is a nitrogen fixer and is great to use for crop rotation to replenish and prevent soil depletion.

Harvesting Chickweed

Freshly Harvested Chickweed

Using scissors or pruners, trim the aerial parts of the plant, an inch above the ground. Rinse the chickweed and allow to mostly dry in a colander or on a towel if needed. If you will be storing the chickweed to use later take a paper towel and line the bottom of a Tupperware container or a salad spinner. Place your recently cleaned chickweed on top and store in the fridge. The paper towel will help regulate and absorb excess moisture so it stores longer. If chickweed is too dry though it can start to wilt, reducing the length of storage. Chickweed can store well for up to a week in the fridge but the sooner you use it, the better. Most even suggest to harvest it fresh daily.

***I would love to hear your thoughts. Please share your favorite recipes and uses for Chickweed in the comments below. Do you have any personal success stories using Chickweed?

Chickweed Recipes

Since chickweed is best used when fresh, the following recipes will be for using the freshly harvested plant unless noted otherwise.

Fresh Chickweed Tea Infusion

Chickweed Tea Infusion

Fill a jar about 1/2 full of your fresh chickweed, loosely packed. Pour recently boiled water into your jar to the rim and gently stir the greens so they are moving freely. Cover and allow the greens to steep at least 30 minutes but feel free to allow them to sit up to 8 hours for a nourishing rich infusion. The longer you let it steep the more nutrients and beneficial minerals are extracted. I really enjoy letting the jar sit outside in the garden under the moonlight or in the sun for a lunar or sun-kissed tea.

Chickweed infusion using dried herb

If you are not using the fresh plant and have access to a high quality, pristine dried leaf you can make a strong infusion using 1 ounce of herb material by weight in 1 quart of recently boiled water. Allow to infuse anywhere from 30 minutes or up to 8 hours. The longer it steeps, the more nourishing and rich the infusion. Strain and enjoy by slowly sipping the tea throughout the day.

Chickweed Poultice

There are a couple of ways of making a poultice depending on your preference and supplies.

Spit Poultice – If you are on a hike, playing outdoors or camping and you get an insect bite or sting or brush up on an irritating plant which causes a rash you can take a small amount of the leaves and chew them slightly to break up the juices. Then spread the macerated herb directly on the skin. Wrap to secure and leave on for 15-30 minutes. Remove and repeat as needed. This is one of my favorite ways of immediately easing poison oak rashes and nettle stings as the chickweed sooths and helps draw out the irritant from the skin.

Fresh Chickweed Poultice

Mortal & Pestle Poultice – Take your fresh chickweed and grind it using your pestle to release its juices. Once a juicy paste forms apply to the skin. Use a towel, t-shirt or plastic wrap to secure and leave on for 15-30 minutes. Remove and repeat as needed. If you are outdoors you can make your own mortar and pestle using a large, flat rock or container and using another rock or wide stick to macerate. If you are in your kitchen and do not own a mortar and pestle use a bowl and a large wooden spoon instead.

Chickweed Oil Infusion and Salve

Take your freshly harvested chickweed and wilt them for 2-3 days until it is mostly dried. Then add the plant material into a crock pot or double boiler and cover with your favorite organic first aid oil such as olive, grapeseed, sesame, coconut, almond, etc. until the herbs are completely saturated and moving freely in the oil. Use very gentle and indirect heat to slowly warm up the oil but be sure not to overheat or bring the oil to a simmer. Gently cook and infuse the chickweed for 1-2 hours. Allow to cool and strain the oil using a stainless steel mesh strainer or cheese/muslin cloth. Pour the oil in a bottle and add a splash of Vitamin E oil to help preserve it if desired.

Chickweed Salve

If you would like to make a salve then take your strained oil and reheat it in your double boiler or crock pot. Add 1 ounce of beeswax (by weight) for every 4-6 ounces of oil infusion (by volume) depending on how firm you like your salves. Stir until the beeswax if fully melted. You are welcome to try other waxes and butters as well. If you use a soft butter such as shea or mango then you will need to adjust your recipe slightly for a firm salve. You can try 1 ounce of a soft butter by weight for every 2-4 ounces of oil by volume. Once the wax and butter has fully melted you are welcome to add your favorite first aid and healing essential oils such as lavender, tea tree, chamomile, helichrysum, etc. and/or vitamin E oil to help preserve. Then pour the mixture into salve jars or small mason jars. Allow to cool, cover with a tight fitting lid and label. Use as needed for any irritated skin condition and to soothe skin which is hot, irritated, itchy and inflamed.

Fresh Chickweed Tincture

Chickweed Tincture

A fresh chickweed extract can be made although eating the greens and drinking strong chickweed tea infusions are the more beneficial and preferred ways of getting the nourishing benefits of the plant. If you have an abundance of chickweed and are interested in making a tincture fill a jar ¾ of the way full of loosely packed fresh greens. You can use a large wooden spoon to firmly press and bruise the greens to release its juices if desired but it is not necessary. Pour in your alcohol (vodka, rum, everclear, 95% spirits, etc.) until greens are free flowing and there is at least an inch of extra alcohol around the herb. Secure with a lid and store in a cool, dry and dark place, shaking daily. Allow to infuse for 4-6 weeks, strain through a stainless steel mesh strainer or cheese/muslin cloth, squeezing out all the alcohol and juice from the chickweed. Pour into a bottle and label. Take anywhere from 1 dropperful (1 mil) or up to 1 tsp in 2-3 ounces of water or juice and drink 1-2 times daily. Or add a splash to homemade cocktails.

Chickweed Vinegar Infusion

Fresh Chickweed Vinegar

Fill a jar ¾ of the way full of loosely packed fresh chickweed greens. You can use a large wooden spoon to firmly press and bruise the greens to release its juices if desired but it is not necessary. If you do not have access to the fresh leaves you can use high quality dried leaves but the infusion will not be as strong. Pour apple cider vinegar to the rim and gently stir so the greens are free flowing, releasing any air bubbles. Secure with a lid and store in a cool, dry and dark place, shaking daily. Allow it to infuse for 2-4 weeks, strain through cheese or muslin cloth, squeezing out all the vinegar and juice from the chickweed. Pour into a bottle and label. Since the water from the fresh leaves can make the vinegar unstable, store your vinegar infusion in the fridge and use within 6 months. Vinegar makes a great chickweed infusion since it helps extract the beneficial minerals from plants. Use your nourishing chickweed vinegar in salad dressings, marinades or take 1 tbsp, 1-2 times daily before meals for endless benefits.

Chickweed Juice

Fresh Chickweed Juice

Take a large handful of chickweed greens and puree them in a blender or food processor. If you have a juicer you can use that too but I like to use the whole plant if possible. Drink as is or blend with other fruits and vegetables for a green smoothie. I also like to take the chickweed puree and freeze it in ice cube trays to use for first aid. If you or a family member get a rash, bite, sting, abrasion or have itchy, inflamed and red skin take the chickweed cube and rub it along the area of the skin to sooth, reduce inflammation and heal. If you are using it on a burn allow the chickweed ice cube to melt first and apply the paste/juice on the skin as you do not want to use anything frozen directly on a burn. Since fresh chickweed is much superior to dry for topical first aid, frozen cubes are a perfect way of using this plant for first aid all throughout the year.

Fresh Chickweed Salad

Chickweed Salad

Take a large handful of freshly harvested and wash chickweed greens. You can add other greens as well or just use them by themselves. Add any other salad ingredients of your choice. I personally like to include any other early spring edible flowers such as dandelions and violets, onions, shredded carrots, colorful sweet bell peppers, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, sprouted seeds, a dash of seaweeds or Humboldt Herbals’ Herb and Sea Vegetable Blend, dried cranberries, chevre and some chickweed salad dressing (or use another favorite dressing). If you are not a salad eater, the delicious and mildly sweet chickweed might convert you to love them. Chickweed has many more nutrients and benefits than common iceberg lettuce too.

Chickweed Salad Dressing

1 cup fresh picked chickweed greens

¼ cup lemon juice or vinegar

1/3 cup nourishing oil (olive, avocado, flax, pumpkin, etc)

1-2 cloves of garlic

1 tsp honey

1 tsp Dejon mustard

1/8 tsp salt and pepper

Blend all ingredients except the oil in a blender until well blended. While the blender is running on medium-high speed, very slowly drizzle your oil into it so it emulsifies well with the other ingredients. Once the dressing is well blended and creamy pour into your container and use as needed in salad dressings. Store in the fridge.

Chickweed Pesto

Chickweed Pesto

2-3 cloves of garlic

¼ cup of pine nuts or sunflower seeds

2 cups of firmly packed fresh chickweed, chopped (or 1 cup chickweed & 1 cup basil)

½ cup olive oil

½ cup Parmesan cheese

¼ tsp each of salt and pepper (or to taste)

Add all ingredients into a blender or food processor and blend until pureed well. Use as a dip with vegetables and crackers or as a spread on bread, sandwiches and wraps. Toss with pasta or salad and add to creamy sauces to enhance their flavor.

Chickweed Miso Soup

Follow the instructions for making miso soup (usually found on the container of miso paste). Add finely chopped chickweed along with your green onions or chives and let it sit for 3-5 minutes before serving.

Try adding chickweed greens to your other soups too. I like to add the freshly chopped greens as a garnish on my creamy tomato soup and I puree the greens in my creamy rosemary potato soup. Chickweed will go good in any soup or stew. I just use it as a garnish or add it in at the very end of my cooking and allow it to simmer for no more than 5 minutes to avoid overcooking it.

Grilled Chickweed & Chevre Sandwhich

Chickweed Sandwiches/Wraps

Use chickweed as the green in your sandwiches and wraps. My favorite is making a wrap with shredded chicken, chickweed pesto, sliced onion, tomato, sprouted seeds and chickweed greens with a little olive or avocado oil and lemon juice drizzled over it all. Or leave out the pesto and add avocado and chickweed dressing instead.

Chickweed Muffin Bread

3 eggs

3 cups spelt, sprouted, wheat or gluten free flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

Gluten Free Chickweed Muffin Bread with Pumpkin Seeds

1 tsp baking powder

1 cup butter or coconut oil, melted (or use your favorite baking vegetable oil)

1 large very ripe banana, smashed (natural sweetener; can omit and use more honey or maple syrup, if desired)

½ cup maple syrup, honey or other sweetener to taste

1 tbsp vanilla extract

1 cup of finely chopped chickweed or ¾ cup pureed chickweed

The following are optional ingredients and variations I enjoy using:

½ cup chopped walnuts, pecans or pumpkin seeds

¼ cup chia seeds

1 tbsp cinnamon

1 cup of dark chocolate chips

1 cup of blueberries

Preheat oven to 325º and grease 2 x 9x4 inch loaf pans. Sift together flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon in a bowl. Beat eggs, oil, vanilla and honey/maple syrup in another bowl. Slowly add dry ingredients to wet and beat well. Stir in a smashed banana, chickweed, nuts, seeds or any other added ingredients until well combined. Pour into pans and bake for 40-60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out dry when tested. Cool for 20 minutes before serving.

Chickweed Oatmeal Cookies

“Little Star Cookies” (Chickweed Oatmeal Cookies)

2 eggs

1⁄2 cup vegetable oil

1⁄2 cup honey or maple syrup

1 tbsp vanilla extract

1 cup unbleached flour (or almond flour for a wheat free recipe)

1 cup quick oats

1⁄2 cup firmly packed and finely chopped chickweed greens or a little less if using pureed chickweed.

Preheat the oven to 375º. Mix the oil, honey, eggs and vanilla until wet ingredients are mixed well. Slowly blend in the flour, oatmeal, and chickweed greens. Oil a cookie sheet or line with unbleached parchment paper. Drop a tablespoon size spoonful of the dough onto the cookie sheet, 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-15 minutes. Remove from cookie sheet and allow to cool on a rack.

Fresh Chickweed Greens with Veggies & Chicken

***I would love to hear your thoughts. Please share your favorite recipes and uses for Chickweed in the comments below. Do you have any personal success stories using Chickweed?

References:

[1] Morgan Botanicals, “Chickweed for Victory”

http://www.morganbotanicals.com/herbal-blog/entry/chickweed-for-victory.html

[2] Edible and Medicinal Plants of the West by Gregory L. Tilford

[3] Morgan Botanicals, “Chickweed for Victory”

http://www.morganbotanicals.com/herbal-blog/entry/chickweed-for-victory.html

http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Chickweed-A-Star.htm

By: Candice Brunlinger, Herbalist

This article was featured in Humboldt Herbals' monthly newsletter for March 2016. Click here to subscribe.

About the Author:

Candice Brunlinger has been studying and practicing herbal healing since 2004. Her interests include incorporating plant medicine as a way of living, making herbal remedies, cooking, growing herbs, gardening, teaching, writing and being a mom. She teaches for the Northwest School of Botanical Studies & Humboldt Herbals, Volunteers as a farm Herbalist, has a small clinical practice and an herbal product line, Herbal Infusions.

You can visit her Nourishing Herbs blog or become a member of her facebook group Herbal Living.

***I would love to hear your thoughts. Please share your favorite recipes and uses for Chickweed in the comments below. Do you have any personal success stories using Chickweed?

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Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Chickweed: The Little Star of Spring with Nourishing Recipes

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