Chickweed

Botanical

What is it

Chickweed (Stellaria media) is a low-growing edible plant used in folk medicine for skin complaints, mild GI issues, and as a mild diuretic. It is high in vitamin C and minerals when consumed fresh.

Evidence for 2 uses

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Skin irritation (topical)

Mixed Evidence

Long traditional use for itch and minor skin complaints; clinical trials are essentially absent.

Weight management (folk use)

Mixed Evidence

Marketed for weight loss in some products without supporting clinical evidence.

How it works

Chickweed contains saponins, flavonoids, vitamin C, and minerals. Traditional uses include topical application for itchy skin and eczema, and internal use as a tea for digestion. There is essentially no robust clinical evidence for any specific indication; uses are based on long folk traditions.

Dosage

No RDA. Traditional doses are 1-2 g dried herb as a tea or 2-4 mL of tincture, up to three times daily. Fresh herb is also consumed as food.

When and how to take it

No timing baseline established.

3 commercial forms

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Fresh herb

Used as wild food and in salads.

Provides vitamin C and minerals.

Tincture

Liquid extract for internal use.

Concentrated; traditional preparation.

Topical preparation (oil, salve)

For skin complaints.

Localized application.

Safety

Considered safe at culinary and traditional medicinal doses. Saponin content can cause mild GI upset at high doses. Topical use generally well tolerated.

Who should be cautious

Pregnancy and lactation: insufficient data for concentrated extracts; culinary use of fresh herb is generally fine.

Interactions

No significant clinical interactions reported.

Food sources

Fresh chickweed leaves, 100 g

Amount
~30 kcal, vitamin C, fiber
%DV
—

Frequently asked questions

Does chickweed help with weight loss?⌄

Marketing claims exist but are not supported by clinical evidence.

Is chickweed edible?⌄

Yes, young leaves are edible raw or cooked, similar to spinach.

References

Chickweed on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Chickweed on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Chickweed (PubMed search) — PubMed link

Track Chickweed with Pilora

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.