Chickweed
Stellaria Media (Chickweed) has been used for centuries as a soothing skin preparation and is found in a number of commercial skin care products. Chickweed is particularly effective at calming and relieving itchy and irritated skin. Used as an herbal ointment, poultice, or cream or even straight as herbal juice, this herb is commonly used in the treatment of external disorders such as skin irritations. Introduction This English herb easily recognized by its straggling, succulent stems bearing paired leaves and white flowerlets. Chickweed is in the same plant family as cloves, and the fresh plant makes an interesting addition to a spring or summer salad. Constituents Coumarins, rutin, B vitamins, iron, saponins. Parts Used Entire aerial part of plant. Typical Preparations Most often used as a tincture or ointment. Can be encapsulated or taken as a tea. Summary Chickweed is a "drawing herb," once thought to remove toxins from the skin, now more typically explained as a microcirculatory stimulant for the skin. It may be employed to treat acne, abscesses of the skin, and eczema, as well as duodenal and peptic ulcers. Precautions None.
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