|
|
|
|
This versatile little plant is a harbinger of spring, and a favorite for herbal
wildcrafters all over the world. It disappears when the heat of summer makes its
appearance. It can usually grows to about six inches high, has a hairy
stem, oval leaves placed opposite each other in pairs, and pretty white flowers
like tiny stars. If you want to assure a supply for yourself and your
family, it grows easily from seed in almost any type of soil. You can
harvest chickweed two or three times in a season, cutting the whole plant down
almost to the ground, and leaving it to grow back. Make sure you leave a
couple of leaf joints to facilitate this regrowth. Use it right away if
you like, as a potherb, or dry and use later. Dried chickweed has a
relatively short shelf life, try to use it within six months.
Chemical Compounds Key
Actions Chickweed certainly has a place in everyone's home.
It is chiefly used externally for skin irritations. It is a cooling herb,
so a poultice of chickweed is the perfect solution for many "hot" type
conditions such as boils and infections. A poultice or tea is also
indicated for relief of itchy bug bites. Chickweed is also used for
treating itchy, inflamed skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and chicken
pox pustules. For this, a salve is most often used. Here is a simple salve to keep in your herbal first aid kit. Three C's Healing Salve Infuse the dried herbs in the sweet almond oil. You can do this however you like, just make sure you use low heat over a longer time period, rather than high heat for a short period. As I keep saying, I prefer to do this in the slowest manner I know, in a jar infusing in both the sun and the moon, for about four to six weeks. Strain at least twice through a cheesecloth or piece of muslin, making sure to squeeze all of that good oil out that you possibly can. Grate your beeswax. Gently heat the strained oil and the grated beeswax just until it is warm enough for the beeswax to melt. Remove from heat immediately and stir to mix. Let cool a bit more, then add your essential oils and cap to keep those oils in there. After it has hardened some, you can remove the cap to make sure there is not moisture in the jar. Externally, an infusion of chickweed can be used to treat sore, inflamed eyes and styes. Simply make a compress and apply over the eyes, or bathe them gently with the chickweed tea. Make sure that when you do this you do not let the infusion drip back into the original bowl…rather, cup the infusion in your hand, and bathe the eyes over a sink. A bath of chickweed is also good for inflamed, rheumatic joints or to assist in repairing tissue damage. Internally, chickweed's demulcent properties make it ideal for treating mucus membranes and soothing inflammations occurring in the urinary system, such as mild bladder infections. It has a traditional use in weight loss formulas, but this is unproven. The following recipe is from Shatoiya de la Tour, in her Earth Mother Herbal. My Favorite Spring Drink Fill a blender loosely about halfway with freshly gathered
chickweed. Cover with pineapple juice, leaving at least two inches free at
the top. Blend on high until you have a light green foamy liquid.
The saponins' soapiness causes the juice to foam, making it a light, sweet,
health giving drink. This drink is especially wonderful in the early
spring; it helps our liver recover from the heavier foods we tend to eat in the
winter. |
