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Last Updated on August 9 , 2023
Come teach all about chickweed : a especial and nutritious herb . This article will explore how to identify and harvest mouse-ear chickweed , the various medicative benefits it provide , possible side effects , and several ways to dry and use it . Chances are , it might be growing right in your backyard or neighborhood already !
Common chickweed is popular among foragers , homesteader , herbalists , and aboriginal community alike . It is especially utilitarian for instinctive skincare , known to soothe roseola , itching and botheration . Growing barbarian at our young property , we get laid to use it to make healing topical ointment ! ( See the salve tutorial here )
What is chickweed?
vernacular mouse-ear chickweed ( Stellaria media ) is atender , edible , annual herbthat grow during coolheaded wet season . Originally native to Europe , chickweed has been naturalized and now grows throughout much of the United States , Canada , and beyond . It has been used throughout history in herbal medicament and skin care . Its tiny flowers extend nectar to elfin butterflies and other good insect .
Other common names include birdweed , chickenwort , greater stitchwort and winterweed . Note that there are several related to varieties of clammy chickweed in theStellariagenus . With“weed”in its name , it is often misunderstood or even demonize . If you Google the condition mouse eared chickweed , most of the results are about how to control or kill it – rather than make good use of it !
“ The only conflict between a flower and a weed is a judgment . ”
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Medicinal Use and Benefits of Chickweed
Chickweed offers numeroustherapeutic benefitsand food . Historically , it has been used byNative Americans , herb doctor , and other natural practice of medicine practitioner to process digestive issue , blood disorders , and respiratory ailments such as low temperature , coughs and huffy throats . It is also used as an herbal cure for wounds and skin wellness .
Chickweed is cooling , drying , anti - inflammatory , antibacterial , and antifungal . This makes it excellent atsoothing miffed skinincluding rashes , minor burns , eczema , psoriasis , sunburn , razor tan , insect bite , poison oak / ivy , or general itch and fervor . Topically , mouse eared chickweed can be used flat on the skin as a poultice , instill in oil , or in asalve or balm .
When used internally ( e.g. via tincture , tea , or unmediated consumption ) , the saponin and rude lechinins come up in chickweed can avail to alleviate excitation , reduce mucus and over-crowding , and improve metabolic process and digestion . In great amounts , chickweed can dissemble as amild laxative , diuretic , and detoxifier .
Chickweed also contains numerousvitamins , mineral , and antioxidants , including genus Beta - carotene , atomic number 20 , branding iron , magnesium , and Zn . It offers especially high floor of Vitamin one C , making it an authoritative source of nutrients to prevent scurvy for other sailors and miners , much like wildMiner ’s Lettuce !
Chickweed Identification and Characteristics
What does chickweed look like? How to identify chickweed
mutual chickweed has long sylphlike stems , dainty succulent ovate ( pointed ) leaves , and tiny lily-white flowers . The flower have 5 small petal , but they ’re deep lob so it looks like 10 petal . Each flora sends out several foresightful stems from a cardinal clustering , forming a sparse or lanky russet scab - form mound that grow 6 to 12 inches tall .
There are3 keys to properly identify chickweedand distinguish it from any lookalikes :
What parts of chickweed are edible or medicinal?
Chickweedstems , leaves , and flowersare all edible and medicative . I have not hail across anything that says its roots are necessarily “ risky ” or toxic , though they ’re typically not used or consumed . Keep in psyche that consuming too much at once can induce an upset stomach for some the great unwashed .
What does chickweed taste like?
Chickweed tastesfresh , soft , grassy , and slightly sweetor floral . Some folks say the succulent depart remind them of lettuce . natural clammy chickweed is often compare to the flavor of corn silk , while it ’s likened to the flavor of spinach once make .
How does chickweed spread?
Chickweed is an one-year flora that easilyspreads by seed , popping back up year after year if allowed to grow unchecked . It can also grow newroot shootsfrom the stems . Thus , it has become a vernacular “ Mary Jane ” in lawns , common , farms , and gardens . If you plan to grow chickweed at home , verify it ’s in a spot you do n’t mind if it recall !
How to control chickweed organically
Hand - weedingis one organic way to control mouse-ear chickweed , and is most efficacious if done early when the plants are small ( before going to seed ) . The whole plant and solution should be pulled up and disposed of . Plant detritus left sitting on the ground may re - root and reestablish itself .
Thickmulch(e.g . several inches of wood microchip , barque , or a level of cardboard ) will also suppress its increase . Finally , ashen vinegarcan also be used as a natural herbicide to toss off mouse-ear chickweed . The solid the acetic acid substance , the more effective the vinegar will be .
Foraging and Harvesting Chickweed
When and where does chickweed grow?
vulgar mouse eared chickweed can be found growing throughout most of North America , Asia , Europe , and other parts of the human race . mouse-ear chickweed mature during thecool season in damp soilfollowing rain , often inshadeor partial tad under trees or along creek seam . It thrives when temperature are between 50 and 70 grade Fahrenheit .
Chickweed develop in thespringtimein most places , though it can also grow during the fall . It fades and dies back in the heat of summertime , but will grow right through wintertime in many damp icing - free climate – include foggy coastal field .
Whenforagingin the wilderness , stave off harvesting from locations that are potentially contaminate – such as directly along roadsides , or contiguous to a commercial farm or golf game course of action . It ’s good to forage in natural areas away from frequent human activity , and wash it well before consuming !
How to plant and grow chickweed at home
If it does n’t naturally maturate in your area to forage , you may plant mouse eared chickweed in your garden . It grows easy from seed , and seed is pronto available online . Seed can be directly sown or scattered outdoors or started inside and transplanted out as seedlings .
Though you could plant it in a garden bed , I suggest develop chickweed in anunderutilized umbrageous areaof the yard instead . Be sure to read the notes on spread and hold below , because it is very probable to get back !
When and how to harvest chickweed
harvest mouse eared chickweed is easy and straight . Harvest chickweed in springtime ( or whenever it is mature in your area ) when it is impertinent and supple , before it get to die out back . For the best results , harvest home chickweed in the morning or other coolheaded prison term of day as it speedily wilt in the sunlight and after harvest home .
To harvest mouse ear , just catch a smattering andcut several inch of the tender topswith scissors or small garden shears . You could also harvest the entire works , though then it would n’t re - grow for future harvests . Chickweeddoesn’t hold up longin the refrigerator , so project to habituate it within a couple days or dry it properly away .
How to Dry Chickweed
Drying mouse-ear chickweed is the best way to preserve it , and prepare it to make infused vegetable oil , balm or salve . you’re able to dry out chickweed either in a food dehydrator or passively strain dry it .
Using afood dehydratorensures it will speedily and thoroughly dry , thin risk of mould or spoiling in storage . In a dehydrator , equally distribute the plant life cloth out on the dehydrator trays so air can circulate around it . Use a low temperature circumstance ( 95 - 105F ) to keep back its beneficial compound and nutrients .
Toair drychickweed , position it in a woven basket , on a screen , flow in a bunch , or on aspecialized herbaceous plant dry rackin a warm , ironical location with good airflow . Place a fan nearby if needed to expedite drying . Let it sit until it ’s completely dry , brittle and easily crumbles . Once dry , lay in it in an airtight container in a cool , benighted location .
Ways to Use Chickweed
immix with a carrier oil colour of choice , dry out clammy chickweed can be used to make a full-bodied and soothinginfused oil . The oil can then be used on its own ( for example as massage or body oil color ) or as an ingredient to make homemade chickweedsalve , balm , sassing balm , and more . These topical creations are ideal to have on hand when roseola , burns , or other hide irritations bob up . find out more about making herb - inculcate oils here , including carrier oil colour option . Then kill over to this tutorial for oureasy chickweed balm formula .
Raw or dried chickweed can also be used to maketea or a concentrated herbal shade . Dried and ground , it ’s also used to make capsule add-on . contain with your doctor or naturopath for guidance on inner use .
Chickweed can beeaten raw or cooked , though its supply ship grain makes it most palatable when raw – such as added to salads , or even combine in a smoothie . Since it be given to be stringy , it ’s usually chopped up before it ’s eaten . Chickweed is keen with beat nut , raw or softly sautéed . you could also toss a handful into soup or stew , but do so in the last few arcminute to prevent overcooking .
Chickweed for Chickens
Birds also like to wipe out chickweed – includingchickens ! It ’s is a keen , alimentary - fertile dainty or pasture fodder for backyard crybaby pile . While foraging , chickens should rip the chickweed into modest pieces on their own ( as they seize with teeth at it ) . However , I suggest chop up any chickweed you harvest yourself before tossing it to the chickens . Otherwise , long stringy pieces of plant life material may increase the risk of affect crop .
Pretty neat little “weed”, isn’t it?
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