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Learn about the potential health benefits and side effects of chickweed
Chickweed, also known as Stellaria media or starweed, is an edible weed that is often used for both culinary and medicinal purposes.
Learn about the potential health benefits and side effects of chickweed.
8 potential benefits of chickweed
- High in vitamin C and iron: The young shoots of chickweed are edible, and some people use them as salad greens. They are believed to contain vitamin C and iron.
- Reduces inflammation: Some studies have found that chickweed may help fight inflammation. It is often used by herbalists to treat inflamed joints and even respiratory tract illnesses.
- Soothes skin: Chickweed contains demulcents, which form a protective and soothing film when administered onto a mucous membrane surface. Thus, chickweed helps soothe irritated skin when applied as a poultice and placing it over the swollen area. Topical herbal preparations with chickweed, calendula, or oak bark are often applied to treat skin allergies, contact dermatitis, neurodermatitis, or eczema.
- Promotes wound healing: Although modern medicine frowns at this practice some herbalists recommend boiling chickweed in water and using the cooled water to clean red, itchy areas caused by ashes, insect bites, and other wounds.
- Relieves sore nipples: Chickweed is sometimes used as a folk remedy to relieve sore nipples caused by breastfeeding, However, any preparation used to treat the nipples should be washed thoroughly before nursing.
- Promotes gut health: Herbalists claim that chickweed may promote the growth of good bacteria in the gut, as it seems to help fight digestive problems such as bloating, gastric ulcers, and irritable bowel syndrome.
- Relieves constipation: Eating raw chickweed leaves may help relieve constipation. This may be due to the fiber content in the leaves or the laxative action of the polyphenols present in the plant.
- May aid weight loss: Chickweed water (water in which chickweed is boiled) is often consumed for its purported weight loss benefits.
What are potential side effects of chickweed?
Many of the purported health claims regarding chickweed lack clinical data and are based on anecdotal evidence. The FDA has cautioned against using chickweed as a supplement for any indication.
Potential side effects of chickweed include:
- Skin sensitivity: Topical application of chickweed may cause skin sensitivity and worsen skin rashes.
- Delayed wound healing: The use of chickweed water for wound cleaning may lead to infection or result in granulomas due to bits of leaves that act as foreign bodies in the wound.
- Paralysis: Some cases of paralysis have been linked to the consumption of large amounts of chickweed.
- Contamination: Since chickweed supplements are not regulated by the FDA, there is the possibility of contamination with harmful chemicals.
What precautions should be taken when using chickweed?
At present, there is no indication that chickweed leaves have medicinal properties. Small-scale lab studies have shown that the vitamin content of chickweed is too low to be of therapeutic value. As the plant is not actively under investigation, there is no reliable pharmacological data to report.
Precautions to keep in mind when using chickweed include the following:
- Drug interactions: Those who are taking multiple medications should be aware of potential drug-chickweed interactions.
- Pregnancy: There is no safety data on chickweed use in pregnant and breastfeeding women.
What are recommended doses for chickweed?
Since the medicinal value of chickweed as well as its safe dosage are unknown, the FDA cautions against using it as a supplement.
As with other herbs, talk to your doctor about the potential benefits and risks before using chickweed.
