Whether you want to clean up that sluggish digestive system, wake up the circulatory system, give the immune system a kick in the seat of the pants or try a new culinary dish chickweed may be the solution to those “cabin-fever” attacks.   The best part is it’s free.  It’s prolific in Missouri and easy to find.  As always, make sure you harvest at a SPRAY-FREE ZONE.  Harvesting herbs sprayed with pesticide is just plain wrong and dangerous.

Think of chickweed as a wild and succulent lettuce or a mild renegade spinach. But chickweed is far and away nutritionally superior to its cultivated counterparts!  It is scrumptious in salads, incorporated in egg dishes and a chickweed pesto is a green delight.  As a culinary herb, chickweed is a boon to any salad; feel free to experiment!  There are several recipes posted below; be brave.  Be a weed warrior!

Most of society calls these little green treasures WEEDS.  I love Emerson’s definition of weed: “a plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered.”  Always know your area when harvesting wild edibles; they must be free from chemical sprays.   Stellaria media, commonly called CHICKWEED is one of the most common weeds in the world with 25 species.   Traditionally it was harvested not only for a spring tonic but also as a treat for chickens—hence its name.  When my chickens have to stay inside because of cold wet spring weather or because a fox is on the prowl it’s chickweed to the rescue.

Chickweed is one of the first herbs to grow in the spring and loves cool weather.  The entire chickweed plant is edible; the stems and leaves are used in medicinal preparations.

Never underestimate this nutrient dense little “weed”.  Chickweed contains silica, mucilage, saponins, coumarins, flavonoids, triterpenoids, and carboxylic acids. This mild herb is a powerhouse of nutrition – over 20 vitamins and minerals including a magical sweet-spot ratio of calcium and magnesium, including iron, copper, a massive helping of vitamin A, some B and C thrown in, and a substantial portion of fiber.  Its traditional medicinal properties include digestive and diuretic aids and the regulation of intestinal flora.  Daily quantity is ¼ to ½ cup.

Gathered fresh, chickweed has traditionally been beneficial as a poultice to ease arthritic symptoms and to treat boils, abscesses, draw out splinters and the stingers of insects.  .  Its vulnerary (wound-healing) action speeds the healing of wounds or cuts.  Because of its emollient qualities it soothes the irritation and itching of skin disruptions like eczema and psoriasis.   An infusion may be added to bath water for soothing relief of any inflamed skin.

Hard boiled eggs with a splash of chickweed pesto. Great with a bowl of tomato soup and salad.
Chickweed came to my greenhouse one spring day; I left it to its own devices and the next year it was growing all along the side. It even grows there when the rest of the farm is buried in snow. Last year I harvested some of the seeds and planted them in my outdoor herb garden; this year I have a dandy little stand of chickweed .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chickweed Pesto      Chickweed Sandwich Spread      Chickweed Quiche

Chickweed Vinegar         Chickweed Stir-Fry        Chickweed grilled Cheese

Garden fresh chives and wild harvested chickweed. A nutritious, delicious combination. Some folks slide the chickweed off their stems, but I like to use stems and all. Be an audacious and adventurous chef de cuisine…throw the whole plant in the food processor