Chickweed

Chickweed is one of the most prolific garden weeds throughout the world.

You can identify it by its bright green, smooth, teardrop-shaped leaves which grow in pairs. The multi-branched, trailing stems usually run along the ground rather than growing upright. At night the leaves will close around the young shoots.

In bloom, chickweed produces white, star-shaped flowers, giving rise to names such as starwort, little star lady, and starweed. The flowers close at night as also, or just before it rains.

Fresh chickweed is a good source of Vitamin C. It also contains contains mucilage, saponins, silica, Minerals, vitamins A and B and fatty acids. It has a refreshing, slightly tart flavor and is excellent in salads.

The saponins provide relief from itching. Chickweed is particularly noted for its cooling qualities, and is especially soothing when applied to skin problems presenting as hot and itchy. It is thought to be useful on wounds to reduce scarring.

Chickweed is also soothing and healing to the digestive tract.

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