Chickweed, Common Plant, Overlooked Benefits

Chickweed has diuretic and laxative qualities to helps quick removal of toxins from the body as well as reduces water retention.  It also suppresses the appetite, further helping to limit calorie cravings and aids in weight loss efforts.  Chickweed helps bloating and is used as a preventive measure for obesity.

Chickweed also nourishes and regulates thyroid function and balances the metabolism.

Chickweed is high in fiber, minerals, and antioxidants to improve digestion, while also balancing the bacterial environment in the gut and supporting the immune system within the gastrointestinal system.

Chickweed contains soapy substances, called saponins. Saponins, like soap, emulsify and increase the permeability of cellular membranes helping to absorb nutrients, especially minerals. Saponins dissolve and break down unwanted matter, including disease-causing bacteria, cysts, benign tumors, it helps break up thick mucus in the respiratory and digestive systems, and breaks down excess fat cells.

Chickweed dissolves cysts and benign tumors and ovarian cysts. Using chickweed to dissolve a cyst or benign tumor is a slow process and requires consistency.  Chickweed extract (25-40 drops, 4 times daily), dependably dissolves ovarian cysts and reduces swollen glands. 

Chickweed soothes constipation in the human body.  Constipation is mainly due to the insufficient bowel movement.  Chickweed acts as a cooling agent for digestion troubles and helps to provide relief in constipation. It is also useful for stomach ulcers and even hemorrhoids.

Antioxidants in Chickweed act as expectorants in the respiratory system, helping you expel phlegm and mucus helping you breathe normally.  Chickweed’s ability to weaken bacteria, combined with its cooling and expectorant actions, clears bronchial problems, chest colds, pneumonia, or asthma. 

Chickweed is a joint-oiler and an excellent choice for those dealing with arthritis, rheumatism, and gout.  Consistent use of the tincture, 20-30 drops three times daily, reduces pain and swelling, inflammation, and itching.  Chickweed helps with inflammation with osteoarthritis or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Chickweed can help to bring down a fever.  Also, Chickweed poultice aids eye problems including infections, sties, conjunctivitis (pink eye), and tired, sore, inflamed, irritated eyes. 

Standard Tincture Dosage:  25-40 drops, 4 times daily

√  Appetite Suppressor

√  Arthritis

√  Constipation

√  Digestion

√  Diuretic

√  Expectorant

√  Fever

√  Laxative

√  Obesity

√  Ovarian Cysts

√  Pink Eye

√  Rheumatism

√  Sties

√  Weight Loss

Poultice - Crush a small handful of the fresh herb until juicy, place in flour towel, apply directly to troubled eye or infected wound.  Keep poultice applied until chickweed heats up indicating bacteria is dying. Remove poultice and throw plant material away. It is critical to use fresh chickweed so bacteria is not reintroduced.

Tincture - Crush 1/2 cup fresh herb, add 12 oz. 100 proof alcohol.  Set in warm dark place for 3 days then filter with cheese cloth.  A dropperful tincture taken 2-3 times a day for 2-16 months.

Delicious in salads - chickweed is loaded with nutrition, high in chlorophyll, minerals -- especially calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, iron, phosphorus, and potassium, vitamins -- especially C, A (from carotenes), and B factors such as folic acid, riboflavin, niacin, and thiamine.

4 cups fresh chickweed

2 cups fresh watercress or miner's lettuce

1 cup fresh chamomile flowers

3 or 4 radishes

2 tablespoons of finely chopped purple onion

Dress with your favorite vinaigrette.