Latin Name
Stellaria media

General Description
Rubbed on the body, this common weed is one of the best herbs for relieving the discomfort of insect bites and other itchy skin conditions. The components of chickweed known as saponin glycosides exert a soothing effect on the skin. Taken internally, chickweed has a similar soothing and moistening effect on the lungs and stomach.

Target Ailments
Taken internally for:

• Sore throat, congestion in the lungs, stomach and duodenal ulcers and rheumatism.
  

Applied externally for:

• Cuts; wounds; bites from mosquitoes and other insects; eczema, psoriasis and other itching skin irritations; boils, abscesses and skin ulcers; and scalp conditions.

Preparations
Over the counter:
Chickweed is available in dried bulk, oil, ointment, and tincture.

At home:
Tea: Pour 1 cup boiling water onto 2 tsp dried herb and steep for five minutes. Drink a cup three times a day to reduce itching.
Bath: Pour either a strong infusion or fresh herbs into the bathwater to relieve itching.
Cool drink: Combine a handful of fresh herbs with pineapple juice, process in the blender, and strain. This drink may relieve skin irritation and rheumatism.
Ointment: Add marsh mallow root to the fresh herbs and juice, and blend.
Poultice: Grind up fresh leaves and apply to leg ulcers.

Special Information

• You can eat as much fresh chickweed as you want, for its therapeutic effects. Chickweed is high in vitamin C, and the fresh herb can be eaten raw in a salad or as a cooked green.
  
• Juice squeezed from the leaves with a mortar and pestle is particularly effective in healing scalp problems.
  
• Because it contains vitamin C, chickweed has been used as a remedy for scurvy.