North Carolina Prepper Network

Chickweed

Chickweed is another of those weeds people strive to eradicate from the garden. Chickweed is a wonderful herb, way too under used for the variety of medicinal and wellness uses. It is an external as well as internal herb.

Chickweed is best known for its cooling, drawing, and dissolving abilities. It will bring a boil to a head in no time and stop infection by weakening bacteria cell walls. You can make a poultice using fresh bruised leaves, applying directly on the area. It is a good idea to cover with gauze to keep germs out. Once chickweed feels warm discard and reapply if necessary.

Chickweed has been called Mother’s Helper because it clears up diaper rash as well as conjunctivitis and pink eye. For pink eye use a poultice of fresh bruised herbs, apply, cover until warn, discard used herbs.

Susun Weed of the "Wise Woman Way" says, “I have seen chickweed dissolve ovarian cysts as large as an orange. One women used it to get rid of a dermoid cyst (which contains hair, bones, teeth, and fingernails); for that, she combined the chickweed with motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) and cronewort (Artemisia vulgaris) tinctures in equal parts. These three plants together are an ancient Chinese remedy for many "women's problems."

Chickweed is a powerful source of minerals, with high amounts of magnesium, manganese, iron, copper, aluminum, silicon, zinc, and a moderate amounts of calcium chlorophyll, potassium, chromium, B factors such as folic acid, riboflavin, niacin, and thiamine, vitamin A, C, and fiber. It is said to help dissolve harmful plaque build-up in arteries, fatty material, and toxins.

Chickweed is a positive herb for weight loss as it helps the body dissolve and rid itself of excess fat cells. Make an infusion using one ounce of fresh chickweed to a quart jar of boiling water. Cover and allow to set for several hours. Strain and drink hot or cold adding honey to taste.

Chickweed combined with Plantain makes an unbeatable salve for burns and itch. They both have drawing and cooling properties.

Chickweed can be added to any green salad as well as chicken and tuna salad. It is a great addition to tabouli and hummus.

Tuna Poke with Chickweed Chimichurri – (fat-of-the-land.blogspot.com)

Chimichurri

1 packed cup chickweed, chopped
4-5 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp shallot, fine dice
3 tbsp sweet red pepper, fine dice
1 tbsp hot pepper, de-seeded, fine dice
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 tsp salt

Tuna Poke and Sushi Rice

1 lb sushi-grade tuna, cut into small (1/2 inch) cubes
2 cups sushi rice
rice vinegar to taste

Makes 4 servings.

Mix chimichurri ingredients together in a bowl and refrigerate for an hour or so. Meanwhile make seasoned (i.e. add rice vinegar) sushi rice and cut up a bunch of sushi-grade tuna. Serve a dollop of the raw tuna over a bowl of rice; garnish with the chimichurri. The acidity of the chimichurri immediately begins to act on the tuna, changing the flavor in subtle ways as you eat.

chickweed pesto. (learningherbs.com)

To make this wonderful early spring treat combine:

2 cloves of garlic, 3 Tablespoons of pine nuts or sunflower seeds, ¼ tsp. salt, 2 packed cups chopped fresh chickweed, ½ cup olive oil, and ½ cup Parmesan cheese in a blender...

THEN...Blend well!