Chickweed (Stellaria media) is one of the plants named in my Crooked Crows® products, so here is what I would tell you about it across the counter: what it is, which part is used, how people have traditionally prepared it, and when to leave it alone.
This page is educational, not medical advice. If you are pregnant, nursing, managing an illness or taking medication, talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before you use this plant.
A little botany, so you know what you have
Chickweed (Stellaria media). Curtis, William. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
The plant I mean is Stellaria media, in the plant family Caryophyllaceae.
Useful field marks (identification only):
- Low, sprawling plant with small, oval, pointed leaves in pairs.
- A single line of fine hairs runs along the stem, and the tiny white flowers look like they have ten petals.
Plant parts used
Aerial parts. This is the part traditionally used and the part you will find in my products.
Traditional uses
Chickweed is a mild garden green eaten raw in salads in spring. Folk tradition uses it as a cooling poultice or salve for itchy skin and as a gentle tea.
These are traditional descriptions, not proof that chickweed treats, cures or prevents any disease. A lasting health concern deserves a conversation with your healthcare provider.
Preparations
These are the kitchen methods I use. They are not official doses.
Tea (an infusion)
- Put 1–2 teaspoons of the dried herb in a mug.
- Pour about 8 ounces of just-boiled water over it.
- Cover and steep 5–10 minutes, then strain.
Covering the cup keeps the aromatic oils in your tea.
Tincture or extract
Strength varies by maker. The bottle label is the dose, not a blog. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist before you start drops for a health concern.
Cautions — who should skip it, or ask first
- Identify it carefully. Some lookalikes, such as scarlet pimpernel, are toxic.
- Generally regarded as a food plant. Large amounts may upset the stomach.
- Pregnancy and nursing: ask before medicinal use.
- Stop if you get a rash, itching, stomach upset, or anything that feels off.
From the shop
You will find chickweed in: Respiratory Relief Oxymel Herbal Honey and Vinegar Extracts, Respiratory Relief Herbal Extracts Subscription, Respiratory Relief Tea Blend Subscription, Trial Size Tea Sample Crooked Crows®, Herbal Tea Sampler in a Keepsake Tin, Chickweed Herb, Respiratory Relief Natural Herbal GF Alcohol Extracts, Respiratory Relief Tea.
If you are not sure whether a product is right for you, write me before you order.
References
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Stellaria media (L.) Vill. (scientific name and family).
- Oladeji OS et al. Stellaria media (L.) Vill.- A plant with immense therapeutic potentials: phytochemistry and pharmacology. Heliyon. 2020. PubMed 32548330.
- Demján V et al. Stellaria media tea protects against diabetes-induced cardiac dysfunction in rats without affecting glucose tolerance. J Tradit Complement Med. 2022. PubMed 35493309.
This page is for education and traditional-use context, not medical advice.
A Note from Erin
Everything I share here is my own opinion, and I’ve listed my references so you can read the sources for yourself. I’m not a doctor, and nothing on this blog is medical advice. When I mention an herb or one of my products, I’m telling you how it has traditionally been used, not promising that it will cure, treat, or prevent anything. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before trying any herb, especially if you’re pregnant or nursing, take medication, or have a health condition.
