Does anyone do anything with chickweed? I have an abundant supply.

-- Cindy (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), March 22, 2000

Answers

Chickweed is one of those plants that can help you save food money.

Pick the small tender leafs and stems from youbg plants anytime that it is not blooming.

If it is mild flavored - use raw in salads.

Mild or strong flavor boil 2 - 5 minutes add butter and chopped onions.

Enjoy

Of course my kids worry whenever I cook. They never know what it might be, or what it might taste like.

-- Rich (pntbeldyk@wirefire.com), March 22, 2000.

It's one of the first little plants to bloom in the spring and good for bees and other insects. After it blooms, I pull it up, which is easy to do because of the shallow roots, and put it in my compost. When I get chickens, I will feed it to them because they love it. Never tried eating it myself but I know it's good for you! Now we have a good suggestion on eating it, and it's spring, well, I think I'll get brave and try some!

-- Elizabeth Petofi (tengri@cstone.net), March 22, 2000.

Chickweed has medicinal properties too. It's good as a remedy for itchy rashes. The active ingredient in it helps to prevent the degeneration of cells. It reduces inflamation and promotes healing. Here's a simple recipie from by Jude C. Williams, M.H. Chickweed Salve- Add about 1 pound of chickweed to 1 pt. of olive oil. Heat for 3 hrs in an oven set at 150 degrees. Strain and add 1-1/2 oz melted beeswax to the mixture. Stir while it is cooling as it will thicken. A few drops of vit. E can be added as a preservative.

I recommend the above book if you're looking for any herbal recipies. It's loaded.

Amy

-- Amy (mstydale@aeroinc.net), March 22, 2000.

Whoops, somehow I missed getting the name of the book in my last message. It is Jude's Herbal Home Remedies.

-- Amy (mstydale@aeroinc.net), March 22, 2000.

Can someone tell me how to identify chickweed? I've read a lot about it but only with sketched drawings. As a novice with plants & herbs I want to make sure. Thanks

-- Beth (nannyk58@yahoo.com), March 23, 2000.

Beth - I'll email send you a photo.

-- rich (pntbeldyk@wirefire.com), March 23, 2000.

Thanks for all of your responses, Cindy

-- Cindy (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), March 26, 2000.

I hope this works.

-- Rich (pntbeldyk@wirefire.com), March 28, 2000.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, Rich!!! I sure wish I knew how to do that. It's on my list of things to learn. That's great!!!

-- Peg (jnjohnsn@pressenter.com), March 28, 2000.

i know that the original posting was over a year ago, but i have a nice recipe that i call 'chickweed chowder' which was really good. I used milk, butter, chickweed, a bit of wild garlic, and about 6 slices of cooked and chunked up bacon. i sliced up the chickweed- kinda diced it or something. Cooked until thickened up- it was great with some little oyster crtackers on top- chickweed adds nice taste and a bit of crunchyness. i cant tell you amounts, just play it by ear.. i never measure much of anything!

-- kevin in nc (vantravlrs@aol.com), April 12, 2001.

Eat it raw in salad, make a salve out of it for skin rashes. It's the most versatile little herb--love it!

-- amy (acook@in4web.com), April 12, 2001.

does anyone know when it is best to pick chickweed for making a salve? i am not sure if i should wait for it to flower or not. thanks, irina

-- irina gendelman (irooshka@hotmail.com), August 06, 2001.

Irina, I think that it is best to pick it before it flowers, as the healing properties are in the leaves. I'd say right in the spring when the leaves are almost full would be when they have the most energy. There is quite a time gap in this response so If you get back to this site and spot to see this, then respond again-I'll check back. If you don't then I'll e-mail you. The leaves are full of vitamines; I eat them fresh in the garden while I'm doing other things. I leave it in with my carrots for the winter garden, as they hold heat for other plants. You can chop them fresh, and put them into your soups, lazagnes, you name it. Just add it, it can do no harm from what I understand. good stomach medicine. Also I use it as green layers in my compost bin when I'm adding lots of leaves or straw, or whatever other dead matter.

-- roberto pokachinni on B.C. N.Coast (pokachinni@yahoo.com), February 08, 2002.

roberto,

thanks for the answer! i made delicious salads, infusions, some great salve and dried a bunch this fall. i still have dried chickweed that i use for tea and it's mid february. when it comes up again i will make sure to harvest before it flowers.

-- irina (irooshka@hotmail.com), February 18, 2002.

Chickweed is THE plant synonymous with pink eye. The fresh herb can be placed in a tea bag and infused with water then placed over the eye. Drying the herb doesn't do much good as it loses some of its potency. Fresh herb needs to be used within a few days of being picked. Have fun!

-- Lainie (lainie@groovewitch.com), March 26, 2002.