Chickweed is just exactly that… a weed that grows all over the world and especially around North America. You’ve probably noticed it in your yard and pulled it up, but it does have lots of great health benefits.
Chickweed
Diuretic – Chickweed is a great diuretic that helps to detox the body and get rid of excess water.
Respiratory Problems – Chickweed contains saponins that help with inflammation and make it much easier to breathe deep, thus working well for bronchitis, asthma, and other respiratory allergies.
Rashes - Chickweed because of it’s anti-inflammatory abilities works well for common rashes and skin irritations, and it can also help with acne. But it is most often used for rashes, eczema, burns, dermatitis, psoriasis, and other irritations. Also works well for chickenpox and insect bites where you have a constant itch, and can be added to ointment and salves to create a healing balm, or used as a soothing wash… and it can help dogs with skin irritations.
Increases Blood Flow – Chickweed increases blood flow to every part of the body and thus has value for the cardiovascular system and for strokes. At the same time it contains compounds that speed up clotting making it important for internal bleeding.
Digestion - Chickweed can help with digestion, gas, sooth gastric ulcers, and alleviating constipation.
Weight Loss – Chickweed is a good diuretic making it important for getting rid of water weight… and Chickweed can be a good suppressant for the appetite.
Pain Relief – Chickweed is a good anti-inflammatory that can be used for sore joints, arthritis, backaches, and other irritations in the body. It can also be used in a bath to soak way tired, sore, and painful joints, muscles, and other swollen tissues.
Edible – Chickweed is edible and can be added to your salad as a nice fragrant green.
Preparing – In the spring when Chickweed is blooming collect your own Chickweed and let it dry. Then take a couple teaspoons of the dried herb and add it to your hot water and let steep for 5 to 10 minutes… and your tea is ready.
Side Effects - As far as we know there are no side effects to Chickweed, but as with all herbal remedies it is best that pregnant women and nursing mothers refrain from their use.
Finding – If you don’t want to collect your own Chickweed then you can order Chickweed Tea on-line or ask for it at your local health food store.
This article is meant to get you started… so you can do more research on your own… dig a little deeper and find what works for you. This article is for educational purposes only, I strongly recommend that you seek advice from your own GP, private doctor, or medical specialist for any ailment, illness, or medical condition.
Dr. Paul Haider – Master Herbalist and Spiritual Teacher for over 20 years, helping people to recover and feel healthy. You can also find Dr. Haider on FB under Dr. Paul Haider, Healing Herbs, and at www.paulhaider.com – feel free to contact him any time. Also check out Dr. Haider’s radio show at http://www.thesourcecenterradio.com/The-Relaxed-Soul.html Nov. show to be about “A New Way of Learning”
Dr. Paul Haider, Master Herbalist, HH, USA, Chickweed Tea, Anti-inflammatory, Respiratory Problems, Asthma, Bronchitis, Rashes, Irritations, Edible, Tea, Pain Relief, Weight Loss, Diuretic, Saponins, Increase Blood Flow, Digestion, Ulcers, Constipation,
