Chickweed or Stellaria media:Tradition and History.

Contents

• Basic Botanical Info:Stellaria media,Chickweed.
• Chickweed Botanical Description.
• Phytochemical and Constituents of Stellaria media.
• Chickweed Gernal Uses and Medicinal Uses.
• Uses in History registration and Ancient Lore of Chickweed.
• Administration and Application Guide:Stellaria media.
• Research Update:Chickweed or Stellaria media.

Chickweed Gernal Uses and Medicinal Uses.:

Part Used Medicinally: The whole herb, collected between May and July, when it is in the best condition, and dried in the same manner as Groundsel. It is used both fresh and dried.

 Medicinal Usage:

 Demulcent, refrigerant: It is held in great repute amongherbalists, used mostly in the form of an ointment. The plant chopped and boiled in lard makes a fine green cooling ointment, good for piles and sores, and cutaneous diseases. It has also been employed as an application for ophthalmia.

 Inflammation and indolent ulcers: The fresh leaves have been employed as a poultice for inflammation and indolent ulcers with most beneficial results. A poultice of Chickweed enclosed in muslin is a sure remedy for a carbuncle or an external abscess. The water in which the Chickweed is boiled should also be used to bathe the affected part.

 B vitamins and Minerals Source:  Chickweed is an excellent source of many B vitamins and various minerals. It is used to treat bronchitis, pleurisy, coughs, colds, and as a blood builder. Externally it is good for skin diseases, due to its astringent properties, and the tea added to the bath is good for soothing skin irritations and rashes. A poultice of the leaves treats cuts, wounds, and bruises. Because it is such a valuable vitamin and mineral source, chickweed is used in foods and teas for the ill to help build the body.

 Mild astringent:  tightenstop layers of skin,reducing secretions,relieving irritation,improving tissue firmness.Although chickweed was formerly taken orally to treat several types of conditions, no evidence currently supports its oral effectiveness in any condition. It may, however, provide a soothing effect when applied to skin irritations because it may have a mild astringent effect. An astringent shrinks and tightens the top layers of skin or mucous membranes, thereby reducing secretions, relieving irritation, and improving tissue firmness. Chickweed may be made into an ointment or a poultice (a soft cloth soaked in a solution and then applied topically) to relieve bruising and to treat cuts and scrapes. A solution made from fresh or dried chickweed leaves may help to relieve itching when it is added to bathwater.


 Treat irritated skin,soothe severe itchiness: Chickweed is chiefly used to treat irritated skin, being applied as juice, poultice, ointment, or cream. Chickweed may soothe severe itchiness where all other remedies have failed. Chickweed is often used to relieve eczema, varicose veins, and nettle rash (urticaria). An infusion of the fresh or dried plant may be added to a bath, where the herb's emollient properties will help reduce inflammation - in rheumatic joints, for example - and encourage tissue repair. Chickweed may also be taken internally to treat chest ailments. In small quantities, chickweed also aids digestion.

 Dry itchy skin treatment:Chickweed is an alterative and purifier. It cleanses the body, removing the toxins that may aggravate the condition. It is also a demulcent and emollient for the skin.Combined other herbs,it works good for skin,Chamomile is soothing as it has strong anti-inflammatory properties. It is specific for irritation of the skin.Ointment made from this is ideal for those suffering from mild to chronic eczema. It can be applied to the affected areas throughout the day. It contains two of the most specific herbs used to treat eczema.

 Stellaria Media Extract is commonly known as Chickweed Extract.It is a superb herb to use for pruritus and itchy skin as well as eczema, acne, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, psoriasis, inflammation, ulcers, vaginitis, urticaria, boils, abscesses, allergies and other skin problems. The vulnerary properties of the herb are also most useful in treating wounds. It also has cell-proliferating properties, useful in speeding-up the healing process.

 Good for constipation: A decoction made with the fresh plant is good for constipation, and an infusion of the dried herb is efficacious in coughs and hoarseness. The dose of the fluid extract is 10 to 60 drops.

 Gerard tells us that:

  'the leaves of Chickweed boyled in water very soft, adding thereto some hog's grease, the powder of Fenugreeke and Linseed, and a few roots of Marsh Mallows, and stamped to the forme of Cataplasme or pultesse, taketh away the swelling of the legs or any other part . . . in a word it comforteth, digesteth, defendeth and suppurateth very notably.'
 He says that 'the leaves boyled in vinegar and salt are good against mangines of the hands and legs, if they be bathed therewith.'

Gerard

 Combined with Elecampane, Chickweed has also been recommended as a specific for hydrophobia, and the juice, taken internally, for scurvy.

 Culpepper calls it 'a fine, soft, pleasing herb, under the dominion of the Moon,' and goes on to tell us that:

'It is found to be as effectual as Purslain to all the purposes whereunto it serveth, except for meat only. The herb bruised, or the juice applied, with cloths or sponges dipped therein to the region of the liver, and as they dry to have fresh applied, doth wonderfully temper the heat of the liver and is effectual for all impostumes and swellings whatsoever; for all redness in the face, wheals, pushes, itch or scabs, the juice being either simply used, or boiled in hog's grease; the juice or distilled water is of good use for all heat and redness in the eyes ... as also into the ears.... It helpeth the sinews when they are shrunk by cramps or otherwise, and extends and makes them pliable again, by using the following methods, viz.: Boil a handful of Chickweed and a handful of dried red-rose leaves, but not distilled, in a quart of muscadine, until a fourth part be consumed; then put to them a pint of oil of trotters, or sheep's feet, let them boil a good while, still stirring them well, which being strained, anoint the grieved part therewith warm against the fire, rubbing it well with your hand, and bind also some of the herb, if you choose, to the place, and with God's blessing it will help in three times dressing.'

Gerard

 Chickweed water is an old wives' remedy for obesity.

 Chickweed has been used to treat bronchitis, coughs, colds, hoarseness., it has been used as a diuretic for kidney and bladder problems. Many herbalists use chickweed to help in weight control because they claim it dissolves fat deposits and faty tumors.

 Externally, it is used in the form of a poultice or ointment and applied to boils, ulcers and abscesses. The fresh juice has also been used to dissolve warts and other skin growths.

 Mechanism of How it works in the body?

 Internally, it is thought the saponins are responsible for the relief of itching. It is particularly noted for its cooling qualities, and is especially soothing when applied to skin problems presenting as hot and itchy. Chickweed is thought to be useful on wounds to reduce scarring. Additionally, the combined constituents are thought to be beneficial for arthritic conditions, while topically the whole plant has a soothing, healing quality. Chickweed works also on the digestive system in small amounts, soothing and healing the digestive tract.

 Stellaria Media Extract is commonly known as Chickweed Extract,Its name is derived from the value it has in many countries as food for birds and domestic fowl. It is utilised to help rebalance sensitivity and restore hydration to skin experiencing dryness.Chickweed Extract is used in the following product types: moisturizer; facial moisturizer/treatment; eczema/damaged skin treatment; anti-itch/rash cream; acne treatment; hand cream; wound treatment; body firming lotion; anti-aging.

Reference:

• 1.Chickweed or Stellaria media:Tradition and History.

This article written and edited via herbalist of MDidea Extracts Professional. They run a range of online descriptions about this herb,including general information related and summarized updating discoveries from findings of professional scientisits this field related.Describe style aimed to form a useful detecting literature space where the intertwined threshold and related questions raise out and visualize themselves.

♣ last edit date:7th,Dec.2010.