Chickweed

The weed which chickweed herb comes from grows natively in Europe. The stem, leaves, and flowers are crushed and made into ointments or pills.

How do you take chickweed?

The topical ointment is the most common form of chickweed. It can also be consumed in a capsule or a tea. The dosages are:

In capsule form, three pills per day. Take orally with water.

As a tea, three to four times a day as needed. Boil the water and steep the tea for about five minutes.

The ointment can be used many times a day in liberal amounts. Simply apply to the affected area.

Why should you use chickweed?

External application of chickweed ointment is very useful in treating inflammatory skin conditions. Chickweed soothes burns, stings and bites, rashes, abscesses and itching. It also eases and moisturizes dry or chapped skin.

As an internal remedy, chickweed is used for stomach ulcers and sore throats. It is also an appetite suppressant. Some people use it as a supplement while dieting.

Is chickweed dangerous?

Chickweed contains nitrate and excessive use causes nitrate poisoning. Symptoms of nitrate poisoning are weakness, dizziness, and fainting. In one extreme case, a patient who took too much chickweed became temporarily paralyzed. These symptoms are tied specifically to the internal use of chickweed. The ointment appears to be harmless.

Do not use chickweed if you are pregnant or breast feeding.

More research.

While topical use of chickweed is lauded by herbalists, clinical research has not supported any of these claims. Exercise caution when ingesting chickweed pills.