Chickweed, Stellaria media

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Have you had the pleasure of sitting with our star girl, Chickweed? You can look close at the star-like flowers and feel the chill, cool vibes she emanates. Literally place your hands above chickweed on a hot day and you can feel the coolness. Want to feel cool in heated situations? Ally with Chickweed! The beauty in the photo above was flowering at Ebeys Landing on Whidbey Island, WA.

Chickweed, Stellaria media is found in shady gardens, cultivated land, and woodlands.

Chickweed’s Medicinal Uses

This humble plant packs a punch when dealing with inflammation. Have you ever sat with chickweed and felt a cooling energy? Plantar fasciitis (and many other “itis” conditions) breathes a sigh of relief when a poultice of Chickweed is applied. Our bodies are slow to heal when in an inflammatory state. Applied topically, chickweed can assist other herbs to go deeper into the fascia and underlying soft tissue, quickening the healing response.

Chickweed is nourishing to the glandular and lymphatic system and is best used with a warm constitution. Just place your hand above chickweed before harvesting and feel her cool vibe. This cool energy makes chickweed a great ally for hot digestive issues, swellings of the joints or even heat that lingers after an infection.

Chickweed the Wild Edible

The crisp weather has brought back quite a few of our spring edibles here in the PNW. Chickweed, Stellaria media is a favourite in salads or anytime you would add crisp lettuce or sprouts. Chickweed is bio-available nutrition- minerals, proteins, carotenes and has a cool, crisp though neutral flavour. The list of benefits from adding chickweed in to your wild food menu are extensive. Let's just say she has a lot of vitality in her tiny cool leaves! Vitamin C, Calcium, chickweed thins cellular membranes which supports your body in its ability to absorb nutrients from food. Yesss to that!

Chickweed has a mild, cooling flavour and a delightful crunch, and is best used fresh. It is a diuretic and slightly laxative, and contains Iron, Calcium, Magnesium, & Vitamin C. Here are a few of my favorite ways to use this plant as a Wild Edible:

  • Chickweed can be juiced for beverages (think adding it to a blend like you would celery)

  • Leaf and tender stems can be used in salads or added to sandwiches & burritos in place of iceberg lettuce.

  • Chickweed can be cook in soups and stews

  • Eat the flower raw in salads or as a garnish.

  • Follow the recipe below…

Chickweed Hummus Roll Up

You will need:

  • 1 Large lettuce leaf or Cabbage leaf

  • 1 small handful of fresh chickweed

  • 3 Tablespoons freshly made or storebought Hummus

  • 2 Fresh dandelion leaves, chopped

  1. Open the large cabbage or lettuce leaf and lay it out like a tortilla, flat on the surface.

  2. Add a layer of hummus and top with chickweed, dandelion and any other

  3. Additions: alfalfa sprouts, bean sprouts, chopped walnuts, radishes, peppers, chives.

  4. Drizzle with lemon or sprinkle a tablespoon of FireCider on the greens.

  5. Wrap it all up like a burrito, Enjoy!