Chickweed, If you Can't beat it, Eat it

 Call it a weed if you must, but chickweed is actually a very nourishing food and sought out by foragers every spring. It can be added raw to salads, steamed as a hot side dish or made into an infusion and drunk as a tea. The glandular and lymphatic systems can benefit greatly from the "life energy" of this wild plant.

 Chickweed is high in chlorophyll, minerals such as calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, iron, phosphorus and potassium, and vitamins C, A, and B vitamins. Old-time herbal books recommended adding chickweed to the diets of the young, the old, the weak and those recovering from surgery.


Chickweed is one of those creeper plants hardly noticed unless you're looking for it or a gardener cursing its prolific ability to self-sow. It may seem to invade as it forms a low growing mat over the ground, but being it prefers cool, shadier spots, its presence in a sunny garden often just seems to disappear as the summer heat builds. For those who just want it out of there, they may get very frustrated and find it to be one of the hardest weeds to just pull out. Having weak stems, the upper section comes easily out of the ground, but left behind are the tiny roots and stems which cling to the soil. And even if pulled from the ground, plants left lay there will still ripen and spill its seeds.

Chickweed gets its common name because chickens love it. In fact, a good way to keep its production worthy for eating is to keep it cut so it doesn't get old and stringy. Give the extras to the chickens and you'll be rewarded with happy clucking. Older chickweed is mostly stalk and isn't nearly as tender as the young, leafy parts. Gathering this plant is simple, without dirt to wash off, if a small bunch at a time is carefully held off the ground with one hand while the other hand snips it with a scissors, like giving it a haircut. Eaten raw, the taste is juicy and without a strong taste. It isn't bitter at all like are many of the spring greens. 

Chickweed is Stellaria media which in latin means little star. The little white flowers appear to be made up of five petals but look closer and you'll see each petal has a cleft to become ten little slivers. It's a little fun to get poetic and compare the little star to the cool evening sky. Considered a cooling herb, conditions associated with heat such as fevers, infections and inflammation, can be eased with the use of chickweed. The plant contains what are called steroidal saponins, a soap-like waxy substance which emulsify and increase the permeability of all membranes. Saponins increase the absorption of nutrients from the digestive tract, its expectorant qualities moisten and greatly aid with lung conditions, and overall, help strengthen weak bodily functions.

Chickweed is an old wives' remedy for losing weight. Being a mild, mineral rich diuretic, weight loss can be attributed to temporary water loss. But it is more than that. Chickweed is a metabolic balancer and its effects on the thyroid may help with weight the healthy way. As a mild diuretic, excess moisture is removed from the cells without stressing the kidneys.

Externally, using the fresh plant as a poultice is hard to beat for drawing out infections while reducing inflammation and swelling. Bio-available vitamin complexes like A and C, and minerals are accessible directly to skin cells, while the plant itself actually dissolves and absorbs bacteria.
Eyes bothered by allergies, sties, fatigue as well as conditions like pinkeye can be soothed immensely from a cooling poultice made from fresh chickweed.
A poultice can be made by either applying the fresh herb directly over the affected area or cooking slightly first and wrapping in a cotton towel. Poultices used for unbroken skin or clean wounds can be used a few times, but if using on infections, throw away and get fresh plant material for each application. The time to leave on varies. If resting with the eyes covered then leave on till its time to get up but if covering a wound, it can be left on for a few hours. You'll find the poultice actually warms up as it draws out infection.

Green Wisdom Herbal Salve

For convenience with minor wounds, bug bits and rash, an herbal salve may be preferred. Ideal and safe for children and pets as there is little likelihood it will burn upon application and nothing is added that would be toxic if your pet licked it off.
This balm is also beneficial for the care of our elderly loved ones who may suffer with skin irritation as a result of trapped moisture or chaffing.
Salves are made by first preparing an herbal oil. Fresh or dried plant material is infused with a carrier oil such as olive oil, and left in a warm place for several weeks. The herbal oil is then strained and used as is or added to beeswax to thicken it into a salve.

To make a chickweed infusion for tea, pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1/4 cup of chickweed. Cover and let steep, off the heat, for 15 to 20 minutes. Strain out the herb and drink the tea hot.

Fresh chickweed can be added to the diet in salads, added to soups or as a side dish that will taste somewhat like spinach. Use the leaves, stems and flowers. 

Cooking shrinks chickweed by 3/4, concentrating the nutrients and compensating for whatever vitamins cooking destroys.

Greens:
12 cups chickweed, rinsed, drained and chopped
1 - 2 tbsp olive oil
1 - 2 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

 Steam the chickweed over low heat for 5 to 10 minutes, or until just wilted (avoid overcooking), covered, in a heavy saucepan, without any more water than what clings to the leaves after rinsing and draining. Add the rest of the ingredients and serve hot. Serve as is or over a grain such as rice, quinoa or barley.


The source for the this post is from the book, "Healing Wise", by the respected herbalist Susan Weed.

Straighten Up, Stretch It Out, Shorts Season Is About To Start!

Is it that time of year, again, when you feel unworthy of that cute little swimsuit on the department store rack?

Self-criticism only drains you of that positive energy you need to feel good about yourself and feeling blessed with who you are.

Mother Nature provides for our needs but when it comes to the condition of our physical bodies, we just have to do our part. There is no magic formula to melt away fat deposits.

A good detoxification and massage regimen can do wonders but only if we support our progress with proper diet and exercise. These fat deposits can be found on thin as well as heavier people. Toxins from our food and environment build up and clog our tissues resulting in dimples of cellulite. Other possible causes are an unbalanced endocrine system, poor lymph drainage as well as food allergies.

The best defense we have is to make wise food choices, try to avoid pesticides and maintain an active lifestyle. A good reason to get into yoga is that muscles that may not get enough exercise are strengthened and stretched. Oxygen is critical for a healthy system and yoga stresses good breathing techniques. Also, relaxation is important for overall well-being and yoga inevitably brings you into a sense of calm. A stressful lifestyle can cause the formation of cellulite.

A fantastic yoga program is taught by Baron Baptiste. He wrote a book, "Journey Into Power" which came out in 2002. This inspiring program helps you to lose weight, increase your physical and mental strength and stamina, and develop an inner sense of calm composure. Known as 'The yoga master for the stars', his gentle approach is as apparent on his dvd workouts as is evident from the book. Power vinyasa yoga is described as meditation in motion. Poses are not the pretzel twists often associated with yoga.
There is the website http://www.baronbaptiste.com with an abundant source of activities and information, but if all you want is the exercise dvds, they can be found on amazon.com or ebay. Available are a number of great dvds and even vhs tapes from back in the 1990's that are from beginner to intermediate.

The Cellulite Crusher Duo consists of detoxifying bath salts and a massage oil.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/53073357/cellulite-crusher-duo-massage-oil-and

Bath salts contain epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) and sea salt. Salt baths are a wonderful way for our bodies to eliminate the build up of toxins accumulated from the air we breath, the water we drink and the food we eat. It is unavoidable that we are going to be exposed to environmental hazards. Salt baths help our bodies' elimination system function at a better level.

The follow-up massage oil is important because you must knead and pummel those problem areas to help break up the fatty deposits. Essential oils do penetrate the skin therefore massage is an important step for success.

The essential oils within these products are known for their aid to our endocrine and lymphatic systems in detoxifying and eliminating wastes. Juniper, cypress, grapefuit, rosemary, basil, sage, lemongrass, niaouli, carrot, fennel, red thyme and geranium; all potent aromatic oils. The carrier oils used are hazelnut, avocado and wheat germ oil. These oils are nutritionally rich and beneficial for toning and regenerating tissue.

Bath salts are to be used about once a week. You'll soon know if they are too drying for your skin. Before the bath give yourself a thorough body brushing to increase circulation. Moisturize afterward and rehydrate by drinking water.

The massage oil should be applied to problem areas twice a day. Help the essential oils along with the pinching and kneading.

Have patience. Perseverance is the key to success. Personal commitment to a healthier lifestyle overall and you should see results in a few weeks.

Avoid use while pregnant.
Those with heart conditions should avoid taking salt baths.

Detox Cellulite Bath Salts come in a plastic jar with a weight of about 13 oz. Included is a small plastic scoop which holds up to 1.5 Tbsp.

Cellulite Crusher Massage Oil comes in a choice of either a 4 oz. amber glass dropper bottle or a 4 oz. white plastic pump type bottle.

Disclaimer:
Meadow Muffin Gardens is the result of a passion to recognize the abundance of natural gifts provided to us by our Creator. Our desire is to utilize the healing power of plants and encourage people to educate themselves towards a greener footprint in their lives.
We supply an alternative choice for personal care products. We are not intending to treat or cure any particular condition. As with any herbal remedy, information and formulas have not been regulated by the FDA. Herbal lore has been trusted and handed down through the years but it is within your discretion how you use this information in treating a condition. Meadow Muffin Gardens does not take responsibility for your use of these products. Ingredients are listed so you as the consumer can use your own discretion as to which herbs, oils and essential oils may be beneficial to your needs.