Chickweed (Stellaria media)
Folk Names: Adder's Mouth, Alsine media, Augentrosgras (German), Bird's Eye, Indian Chickweed, Mouse-ear, Passerina, Satin Flower, Scarwort, Star Chickweed, Starweed, Starwort, Stellaire (French), Stitchwort, Tongue Grass, White Bird's Eye, Winterweed
Description: Chickweed is a group of approximately twenty-five plants found in Europe and the temperate and Arctic regions of the United States and Canada. It prefers the cool climates and shady spots. Depending upon where it is found, it may be an annual or perennial weed, usually creeping. The stem is brittle, growing from four to fifteen inches high and two and one-half feet long. The succulent leaves are opposite and entire, ovate linear or lanceolate. The lower leaves grow from long petioles and are sometimes sticky to the touch, varying in size from each node. The higher leaves lack a stem, and the joints are slightly swollen. Chickweed is distinguished by a line of hairs which grows along one side of the stem only and which changes sides at each leaf node. The small white flowers (one-fourth to one-half inch across) bloom from the beginning of spring till the end of autumn in terminal, leafy cymes or solitary in the leaf axils. Each has five petals, though these may be so deeply divided that they appear to be ten. The petals are shorter than and alternate with the sepals. Chickweed may open on sunny days, usually around nine in the morning, but close on rainy or cloudy days. The oval fruit capsules are hairy and cupped in calyx. Chickweed is considered a “sleep plant,” not for any occult reason, but for the fact that at night the leaves rise to meet and shelter delicate flowers
Effects: gentle
Planet: Moon
Element: Water
Associated Deities:
Traditions:
Gramen leucanthemum, also called Stitchwort, is a relative of Chickweed said by Dioscorides to help woman bear a son.
Chickweed seed and young tops have a tradition of use in bird food, hence the plant’s common name. Stellaria, its scientific name, refers to the shape of the flowers.
Magic:
Carry chickweed or use it in spells for love or to maintain a relationship.
Known Combinations:
Combined with Elecampane, chickweed is considered a treatment for hydrophobia.
According to Dianecht, chief physican of the Tuatha-de-Dannans, a porridge made of hazel-buds, dandelion, chickweed, and wood sorrel boiled with oatmeal is a cure for colds.
Medical Indications: (Caution:) Parts Used: herb
Chickweed is a carminative, demulcent, emollient, laxative, and refrigerant. It is useful for both internal and external inflammations. A decoction (three heaping tablespoons in a quart of water reduced to a pint) may be used in cases of serious constipation. It is an appetite suppressant and may lower blood lipids. Chickweed also reduces mucus build up, so is a useful expectorant. It is good for bronchitis, colds, and coughs, as well as circulatory problems.
Apply crushed leaves directly or make into ointment with Vaseline for bruises, irritations, itching, warts, and other skin problems.
Nutrition:
Chickweed is quite edible, having a slightly salty taste, and is available year round. It may be eaten like spinach, raw of boiled for five minutes. Add the leaves or flowers to salad.
Add four cups of flowers, leaves, and stems to stew with rabbit, chicken, or beef. The seeds may also be used in soup as a thickener.
Blanch two cups of chickweed for three minutes, chop in a blender, and add to two cups pancake batter with one and one-half cups water, one egg, one-fourth cup oil, and one teaspoon baking powder.
Mercantile Uses:
Though goats will not touch it, everything else will to greater or lesser degree. In fact, it is a common seed found in commercial birdseed mixtures.