Chickweed

More than just a weed…

Chickweed has several ‘unknown’ benefits to health. I say ‘unknown’ for the fact that if we knew about it, we wouldn’t be spraying weed killer on it. Instead, we should be adding it to our diets!

Consuming chickweed increases our body’s ability to absorb many nutrients and minerals. Saponins, a compound found naturally within the plant, increases the permeability of cell membranes and has the ability to kill disease-causing bacteria. It has been shown to also rid the body of cysts/benign tumors, mucus in the respiratory and digestive tracts, and dissolve excess fat cells.

Chickweed can be added to salads, dried and used in teas, made in to tinctures, and used in poultices.

• 1 oz of dried chickweed steeped in boiling water for a couple of hours will make a quart of tea. 2 cups of tea per day can help you shed some unwanted weight.
• Fresh chickweed, crushed into a poultice, can heal topically – bacterial infections such as cuts, pink eye, and other skin infections.
• Chickweed has been used for centuries in ancient Chinese medicine for ‘women’s problems’. Chickweed is beneficial for those who suffer from bladder infections (acute and chronic) and ovarian cysts.

Chickweed can also decrease inflammation and many other chronic problems such as joint pain, indigestion, vascular disease, memory loss, and some cancers.

There are also nutritional benefits of chickweed.

• Chlorophyll – which aids in digestion, a clear complexion, and reduces bad breath.
• Minerals including calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, iron, phosphorus, and potassium.
• Vitamins A, B, and C.

So before you go outside and spray your yard for pesky weeds, grab a basket and collect as much of it as you can!