CARYOPHYLLACEAE
The Caryophyllaceae consist of about 70 genera of plants. The stems are often swollen at the nodes. Leaves opposite, simple and entire, with parallel veins. Flowers in terminal cymes or solitary, regular. Herbs in this family include: Dianthus, Hernaria, Saponaria and Stellaria.
Stellaria media
Chickweed
Family Caryophyllaceae
Description
An annual with a fine tap root, forming a loose mat. Stems weak, ascending, branching, 15–40 cm long with 1 line of hairs running up the stem and changing sides at each leaf node. Leaves opposite, ovate to broadly lanceolate, pointed, with short hairs around the margins, 5–40 × 5–15 mm. Lower leaf stalks about the same length as leaves, but almost absent in upper leaves. Inflorescence terminal, cymose and usually lax, with 3–15 flowers. Flower stalks slender with 1 line of hairs. Sepals narrow lanceolate, 4–6 mm long, hairy outside. Petals, white, a little smaller or a little larger than sepals. Stamens 3–5. Capsule, narrow ovoid about the same size as the calyx. Seeds many, tiny, yellowish brown. Flowers and fruits more or less all year round in both hemispheres, depending on the weather, but specifically from midwinter to mid-summer.
Habitat and cultivation
Native to Europe and naturalized other countries. It grows from seed as a garden weed in cooler weather. It self-sows readily and is frost resistant and drought tender.
Parts used
The herb harvested during or just prior to flowering.
Active constituents
1) Saponins
2) Coumarins
3) Flavonoids including isovitexin and apigenin derivatives1,2
4) Volatile oil including borneol, menthol, linalool, 1,8-cineole and caryophyllene3
Also contains carboxylic acids (triacontanoic acid),3 triterpenoids (sitosterol),3 hydrocarbons (hentricontane, pentacosanol)4 and lipids including γ-linolenic acid and octadecatetraenoic acids.5
Nutritional constituents
Vitamins: A (carotenoids),6 B complex, C (150–350 mg per 100 g) and D
Minerals: Rich in iron, copper, calcium, sodium and some manganese, phosphorus and zinc
Actions
1) Antirheumatic
Externally
2) Antipruritic
3) Vulnerary
4) Emollient
Scientific information
In the past chickweed enjoyed more extensive use than it does in modern practice.
In vitro—It is a strong inhibitor of xanthine oxidase and has moderate anti-oxidant properties, it may be of value in the treatment of hyperuricaemia and gout.7
In vivo—The use of the herb is traditional and anecdotal. It is most frequently used in modern practice for external applications but is prized by some herbalists for its nutritional value. Weiss did not find Stellaria effective in the treatment of rheumatic conditions.
Medicinal uses
Externally
- itches
- eczema
- psoriasis
- abscesses
- indolent ulcers
- boils
- cuts
- bruises
- carbuncles
- wounds
BHP specific for pruritic skin conditions.
Pharmacy
| Three times daily | |
| Infusion of dried herb | – 1–5 g |
| Tincture 1:5 (45%) | – 2–10 ml |
| Liquid Extract (25%) | – 1–5 ml |
Ointment 1:5 in base material.
The herb is used as a cream, poultice or compress. It may be juiced and employed directly, diluted or used as an infusion. Can be eaten fresh in salads.
Precautions and/or safety
A small percentage of individuals tested, including those with no known allergies, showed an allergic or skin irritant reaction to Stellaria apparently due to its essential oil.8,9 A single case of erythema multiforme, in a patient with a previous history of the condition developed after patch testing with the fresh herb.3
Historical uses
Externally applied to liver inflammation; cramps; convulsions; palsy; eye inflammations; haemorrhoids; to heal sinews. Internally for hydrophobia (in combination); scurvy; constipation; coughs; hoarseness; obesity.