Sometimes I get tired of doing what's "good for me" — never mind encouraging my reluctant family to follow suit. But this spring, health and fun are about to join forces. Sally King of RavenCroft Garden introduced me to a new friend: Chickweed (called "starweed" for her star-shaped flowers). This abundant backyard weed is chock full of nutrition. It's also a powerful healing ally with a swift-acting ability to draw out infection, and cool and heal conditions that are hot or inflamed. Chickweed is especially useful in easing eye problems. I doubt I'll have trouble soliciting a helper to go "snip some stars" — either for our lunch or to soothe an owie. I'm amazed that we never noticed this little beauty before.

Chickweed, Stellaria media (Latin for "little star.") The Carnation family, Caryophyllaceae, includes carnations, pinks, Sweet Williams and baby's breath. You can find chickweed all over the world. This creeping annual grows in lush, dense mats. Its many-branched stems are graced with little egg-shaped, yellow-green succulent leaves and small white, star-shaped flowers. Chickweed likes shady, damp patches of rich soil. In cool, wet areas, it's virtually evergreen. You'll find nitrogen-fixing chickweed peeping out from underneath leafy plants and tucked at the bases of trees and bushes. This trailing plant is lovely in a windowsill box. Find a friend to offer a cutting; it grows quickly and self-seeds naturally.

Nutrition champ: Chickweed is rich in minerals such as copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium and zinc. It's high in protein and a good source of vitamins C and B (riboflavin, niacin and thiamine), and carotenes expressed as vitamin A. Chickweed is an aid for digestive problems — great for those who are recovering from an illness or surgery or need extra nourishment. Herbalists agree that the best way to take in chickweed is to eat it uncooked, a handful or two a day. (It loses quite a bit of its strength when dried.) For tincture form, herbalist Susun S. Weed recommends 20 - 30 drops, up to three times daily — continued for years, if desired.

"It's one of the best undiscovered salad greens," says Sally. At RavenCroft, chickweed isharvested daily when in season: Grasp a handful and snip off the leafy tops (and flowers when in bloom), leaving an inch to grow back. Chickweed has a salty taste (common to cooling plants) and is a wonderful addition to salads. Sally raves about the Wilted Chickweed Berry Salad made by their Thursday's Gardener, Kerry Gillooly. She also recommends steeping chickweed in apple cider vinegar for a mineral-rich condiment. (See Chickweed Recipes.) Susun suggests using chickweed as you would parsley — as a garnish or to flavor potato or pasta salad.

Cool friend in hot places: Chickweed has a superior capacity for drawing out infection. In general, it soothes pain, cools and restores the skin and is a nourishing healer of wounds. Sally recommends chickweed for any hot, red skin condition such as an infection or a burn. For swift application, chew it up and apply it directly as a spit poultice; or you can prepare a larger poultice (See Chickweed Poultices). For greater convenience, consider using an infused oil of chickweed or combining it with other herbs in a salve. Contact a local herbalist or make your own (see Healing Wise).

Bright eyes: Chickweed is an excellent remedy for eye problems, from tired, irritated, burning eyes to infectious conditions such as sties and pinkeye. Apply directly as a poultice or a lotion (see below). Herbalists report that pinkeye, which is notoriously difficult to clear, can be greatly improved with a poultice in as little as one day.

Dissolving boundaries: According to Susun, chickweed's saponins (soap-like constituents that increase the permeability of membranes) are the source of its ability to dissolve cell walls. Over time (6 - 10 months), chickweed can shrink and dissolve cysts such as ovarian or breast cysts.

Nature's "diet pill": Did you skip right to this section? Chickweed helps to balance metabolism and improve thyroid function. Susun recommends it for preventing the weight gain that can lead to cancer recurrence. In my media-induced dream of becoming ever thinner, I sensed a silver bullet, but Sally smiled when I questioned her. She asked me if I thought chickweed had come into our lives to help us look the way the world wished us to look — or as an ally to greater health. That didn't take much soul searching...

Chickweed Eye Lotion
4 ounces distilled water
4 ounces witch hazel
1 tablespoon chickweed tincture

To make: Combine ingredients in a clean plastic dispenser-top
bottle. Shake well.

To use: Wet a cloth or cotton ball with lotion and apply to
closed eyes for three minutes.

Recipe from Healing Wise by Susun S. Weed.

A Modern Herbal by Mrs. M. Grieve
Botany in a Day by Thomas J. Elpel
Opening our Wild Hearts to the Healing Herbs by Gail Faith Edwards

Located near Monroe, WA, RavenCroft Garden is an educational center connecting people, plants and the earth. It is home to founder EagleSong, Community Centered Herbalist (CCH) and Director Sally King, CCH, who work with herbs as a foundation for creating health: 360-794-2938 or www.ravencroftgarden.com.

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