Chickweed

What Is Chickweed?

Chickweed is a small, sprawling annual of the pink family, eaten as a wild green and used as a soothing remedy for the skin. It grows most vigorously in late winter and early spring ^{29Reference 29North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. (n.d.). Stellaria media (chickweed) — description, habit, native range and edibility — plant database. NC State Extension. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/stellaria-media/View study →}, and where the climate allows it flowers all year round ^{27Reference 27RabelerK., & Hartman, RView study →}.

Stellaria media is native to Eurasia and North Africa and is now a weed throughout the world ^{27,29Reference 27RabelerK., & Hartman, RView study →Reference 29North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. (n.d.). Stellaria media (chickweed) — description, habit, native range and edibility — plant database. NC State Extension. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/stellaria-media/View study →}. Its traditional preparations use the fresh plant: eaten raw, pressed for its juice, or bruised into a poultice.

Its two main uses are the skin, for itching and irritation, and the lungs, for asthma and bronchitis ^{1Reference 1Oladeji et al. · 2020ReviewStellaria media (L.) Vill.— A plant with immense therapeutic potentials: phytochemistry and pharmacology — reviewView study →}. Its chemistry includes triterpenoid saponins and flavonoid C-glycosides, and research on it is almost entirely in animals and cells ^{1,5Reference 1Oladeji et al. · 2020ReviewStellaria media (L.) Vill.— A plant with immense therapeutic potentials: phytochemistry and pharmacology — reviewView study →Reference 5Budzianowski et al. · 1991In vitroStudies on the antioxidative activity of some C-glycosylflavones — in vitroView study →}.

Chickweed can be confused with scarlet pimpernel, which grows in the same places and is poisonous to livestock ^{30,31Reference 30Hu et al.Hu, Q., & Kelso, S. (n.d.). Anagallis arvensis Linnaeus — species description and distribution — flora. In Wu, Z. Y., & Raven, P. H. (eds.), Flora of China, Vol. 15. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200016886View study →Reference 31Rivero et al. · 2001ObservationalAnagallis arvensis poisoning in cattle and sheep in Uruguay — observational (livestock outbreaks)View study →}.

How Is Chickweed Used?

Chickweed is taken internally as a tea, fresh juice or tincture for lung complaints such as asthma and chronic bronchitis.

On the skin it is used in creams, salves, infused oils and fresh poultices for eczema, psoriasis, itching, skin ulcers and rashes.

Its stems, leaves and flowers are also eaten as a green ^{29Reference 29North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. (n.d.). Stellaria media (chickweed) — description, habit, native range and edibility — plant database. NC State Extension. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/stellaria-media/View study →}.

Traditional Uses

Western Herbal Medicine

The whole aerial plant is used, and almost always fresh. Chickweed loses much of its character on drying, so the traditional preparations keep the fresh material: the succus (expressed juice), a poultice of the bruised herb laid on the skin, an infused oil, or the plant eaten raw.

Western practice regards it as cooling, moistening and gently soothing, a demulcent chosen for irritated tissue rather than for strength.

Its skin use is the better known. Chickweed ointment is a standard domestic remedy for eczema, psoriasis, nappy rash, itching and slow-healing ulcers, used where the skin is hot, dry and itchy.

Internally the same demulcent quality is directed at the respiratory tract, for dry irritable coughs, bronchitis and asthma, and at the gut for inflamed or irritated digestion.

As a food. Chickweed is eaten as a salad green, and its fresh leaves supply fibre, potassium, iron and antioxidants ^{25Reference 25Fukalova Fukalova et al. · 2021Five undervalued edible species: nutritional composition, bioactive constituents and volatiles profile — analyticalView study →}.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

In Chinese medicine chickweed is fan lu ^{28Reference 28Chen et al.Chen, S., & Rabeler, R. K. (n.d.). Stellaria media (Linnaeus) Villars — species description and distribution — flora. In Wu, Z. Y., & Raven, P. H. (eds.), Flora of China, Vol. 6. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200007072View study →}. It has been used mainly for dermatitis and other skin diseases, and also against viral illness ^{12Reference 12Ma et al. · 2012In vitroAnti-hepatitis B virus activity of chickweed [Stellaria media (L.) Vill.] extracts in HepG2.2.15 cells — in vitroView study →}.

Asian and African Folk Medicine

In Asia and tropical Africa, a decoction of the leaves is taken for acute stomach and respiratory illness, and dried leaves are made into pills, powders or decoctions for skin infections, swollen legs, haemorrhoids and other complaints ^{1Reference 1Oladeji et al. · 2020ReviewStellaria media (L.) Vill.— A plant with immense therapeutic potentials: phytochemistry and pharmacology — reviewView study →}.

In India a leaf decoction is used to dress deep wounds and stop bleeding, and the pounded plant is applied as a plaster to dislocated bones and swellings ^{1Reference 1Oladeji et al. · 2020ReviewStellaria media (L.) Vill.— A plant with immense therapeutic potentials: phytochemistry and pharmacology — reviewView study →}.

Indications

• Eczema and itchy, inflamed skin [fresh herb, salve or poultice; Western herbal use]
• Psoriasis [fresh herb or salve; Western herbal use]
• Skin ulcers and rashes, including nappy rash [fresh herb or salve; Western herbal use]
• Dermatitis [aerial parts; Chinese medicine]
• Dry, irritable cough [aerial parts; Western herbal use]
• Asthma and bronchitis [whole plant; Western herbal use]
• Irritated digestion [aerial parts; Western herbal use]
• Wounds and swellings [leaf decoction or plaster; Indian folk use]
• Weight management [aerial parts] ⚠Caution: Only rodent studies exist. Two found less weight gain, but a tea at 100 mg/kg did not change body weight or blood lipids in rats ^6,7,8.
• High cholesterol [tea; folk use] ⚠Caution: In rats on a high-cholesterol diet, chickweed tea did not lower blood lipids ⁸.

Botany

Chickweed is a low, sprawling annual or winter annual in the pink family (Caryophyllaceae) ^{27Reference 27RabelerK., & Hartman, RView study →}. Its weak stems lie along the ground or turn upward, branch freely and grow 5–40 cm long ^{27Reference 27RabelerK., & Hartman, RView study →}. They root where the leaf joints touch the soil ^{29Reference 29North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. (n.d.). Stellaria media (chickweed) — description, habit, native range and edibility — plant database. NC State Extension. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/stellaria-media/View study →}.

A single line of hairs runs along each section of stem between the leaf pairs ^{27,28Reference 27RabelerK., & Hartman, RView study →Reference 28Chen et al.Chen, S., & Rabeler, R. K. (n.d.). Stellaria media (Linnaeus) Villars — species description and distribution — flora. In Wu, Z. Y., & Raven, P. H. (eds.), Flora of China, Vol. 6. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200007072View study →}.

The leaves grow in opposite pairs ^{29Reference 29North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. (n.d.). Stellaria media (chickweed) — description, habit, native range and edibility — plant database. NC State Extension. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/stellaria-media/View study →}. They are oval, 0.5–4 cm long, with stalks on the lower leaves, while the upper leaves are nearly stalkless ^{27Reference 27RabelerK., & Hartman, RView study →}.

The flowers are small, 2–5 mm across, with five green sepals that are hairy on the outside ^{27,29Reference 27RabelerK., & Hartman, RView study →Reference 29North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. (n.d.). Stellaria media (chickweed) — description, habit, native range and edibility — plant database. NC State Extension. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/stellaria-media/View study →}. There are usually five white petals, each split almost to the base, so that the flower seems to have ten ^{28,29Reference 28Chen et al.Chen, S., & Rabeler, R. K. (n.d.). Stellaria media (Linnaeus) Villars — species description and distribution — flora. In Wu, Z. Y., & Raven, P. H. (eds.), Flora of China, Vol. 6. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200007072View study →Reference 29North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. (n.d.). Stellaria media (chickweed) — description, habit, native range and edibility — plant database. NC State Extension. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/stellaria-media/View study →}. The petals are no longer than the sepals and are sometimes missing, and the anthers are red-violet ^{27Reference 27RabelerK., & Hartman, RView study →}.

The fruit is an oval capsule 3–5 mm long. It opens by six valves to release reddish-brown seeds about 1 mm across ^{27Reference 27RabelerK., & Hartman, RView study →}.

Chickweed belongs to a group of three very similar species, with S. neglecta and S. pallida ^{27Reference 27RabelerK., & Hartman, RView study →}.

Scarlet pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis) grows in the same open, disturbed places and is poisonous to livestock ^{27,30,31Reference 27RabelerK., & Hartman, RView study →Reference 30Hu et al.Hu, Q., & Kelso, S. (n.d.). Anagallis arvensis Linnaeus — species description and distribution — flora. In Wu, Z. Y., & Raven, P. H. (eds.), Flora of China, Vol. 15. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200016886View study →Reference 31Rivero et al. · 2001ObservationalAnagallis arvensis poisoning in cattle and sheep in Uruguay — observational (livestock outbreaks)View study →}. Its flowers are red or blue, with petals that are not split, and its stalkless leaves are dotted with tiny glands underneath ^{30Reference 30Hu et al.Hu, Q., & Kelso, S. (n.d.). Anagallis arvensis Linnaeus — species description and distribution — flora. In Wu, Z. Y., & Raven, P. H. (eds.), Flora of China, Vol. 15. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200016886View study →}.

Distribution

Chickweed is native to Eurasia and North Africa ^{29Reference 29North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. (n.d.). Stellaria media (chickweed) — description, habit, native range and edibility — plant database. NC State Extension. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/stellaria-media/View study →}. It is now a weed across the world, and in North America it is introduced and grows across Canada and the United States ^{27Reference 27RabelerK., & Hartman, RView study →}. In China it grows in fields across most of the country, and it also occurs in Japan, Korea, India and Russia ^{28Reference 28Chen et al.Chen, S., & Rabeler, R. K. (n.d.). Stellaria media (Linnaeus) Villars — species description and distribution — flora. In Wu, Z. Y., & Raven, P. H. (eds.), Flora of China, Vol. 6. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200007072View study →}.

It grows on cultivated ground, in waste places and in open woodland, from sea level to 2,500 m ^{27Reference 27RabelerK., & Hartman, RView study →}. It grows fastest in late winter and early spring, in moist, neutral to acid soil, in sun or part shade ^{29Reference 29North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. (n.d.). Stellaria media (chickweed) — description, habit, native range and edibility — plant database. NC State Extension. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/stellaria-media/View study →}.

Growing Conditions

Cultivation snapshot for Chickweed

LifeannualZoneUSDA 4–11

• Cool-season annual mat-former; full sun to part shade; very cold-hardy (roughly USDA zones 4–11); thrives in moist, rich, disturbed ground.

Grow it yourself

Farm Wiki is our cultivation-focused sister site, also run by Justin Cooke.

How to growComing soon

Find seedsComing soon

Phytochemistry

Chickweed’s chemistry is lightly studied. The aerial parts contain triterpenoid saponins, from which gypsogenin and oleanolic acid have been isolated, along with beta-sitosterol ^{1Reference 1Oladeji et al. · 2020ReviewStellaria media (L.) Vill.— A plant with immense therapeutic potentials: phytochemistry and pharmacology — reviewView study →}. In lyophilised juice, total saponins were 1.19 µg/g, total flavonoids 1.4 mg/g and total phenolics 0.26 mg/g ^{7Reference 7Rani et al. · 2012In vitroQuality assessment and anti-obesity activity of Stellaria media (Linn.) Vill. — in vitro & animal modelView study →}.

Its flavonoids are mainly C-glycosylflavones. Apigenin C-glycosides, including a derivative of vitexin, have been isolated from the plant ^{5Reference 5Budzianowski et al. · 1991In vitroStudies on the antioxidative activity of some C-glycosylflavones — in vitroView study →}, and a tea contained rutin and several apigenin glycosides ^{14Reference 14Demján et al. · 2022AnimalStellaria media tea protects against diabetes-induced cardiac dysfunction in rats without affecting glucose tolerance — animal modelView study →}. Water and ethanol extracts contained twelve phenolics, mostly apigenin and kaempferol derivatives ^{3Reference 3Cusumano et al. · 2024In vitroHealth-promoting applications of chickweed (Stellaria media): in vitro, in silico and network approaches — in vitro/in silicoView study →}. A hexane fraction contained the flavone chrysin ^{9Reference 9Chak et al. · 2025In vitroIn vitro COX inhibitory activity, LC-MS analysis and molecular docking study of Silene vulgaris and Stellaria media — in vitro/in silicoView study →}.

The fresh leaves contain vitamin C, carotenoids and tocopherol ^{1Reference 1Oladeji et al. · 2020ReviewStellaria media (L.) Vill.— A plant with immense therapeutic potentials: phytochemistry and pharmacology — reviewView study →}. In a Spanish survey of sixteen wild greens, chickweed had the lowest carotenoid content, 4.2 mg per 100 g ^{21Reference 21Guil et al. · 1997Nutritional and toxic factors in selected wild edible plants — analyticalView study →}.

The essential oil contains borneol, menthol, linalool, 1,8-cineole and caryophyllene, several of them known contact allergens ^{22Reference 22Jovanović et al. · 2003Case reportErythema multiforme due to contact with weeds: a recurrence after patch testing — case reportView study →}.

The plant also makes a family of antimicrobial defence peptides and an antiviral protein, stellarmedin A ^{11,16,18Reference 11Shan et al. · 2013In vitroPurification and characterization of a novel anti-HSV-2 protein (Stellarmedin A) with antiproliferative and peroxidase activities from Stellaria media — in vitroView study →Reference 16Rogozhin et al. · 2015In vitroA novel antifungal peptide (SmAMP3) from leaves of the weed Stellaria media L. — in vitroView study →Reference 18Slavokhotova et al. · 2017In vitroDefense peptide repertoire of Stellaria media predicted by high-throughput next-generation sequencing — in vitro/genomicView study →}.

Constituent Summary

Few amounts have been measured in the plant itself.

Pharmacology & Research

Chickweed is lightly studied: a few dozen primary papers, few of them testing the fresh juice, tea or salve used in practice. No clinical trial has been registered.

The research falls into two groups. A small set of animal and cell studies covers anti-obesity, antioxidant, liver, stomach and brain-protective effects. The antioxidant activity is the most consistent finding, and the anti-obesity work is the most developed in whole animals.

The second, larger group characterises the plant’s antimicrobial defence peptides, the SmAMP and SmD1 families, mostly to engineer disease resistance into crop plants ^{16,17,18,19Reference 16Rogozhin et al. · 2015In vitroA novel antifungal peptide (SmAMP3) from leaves of the weed Stellaria media L. — in vitroView study →Reference 17Slavokhotova et al. · 2014In vitroNovel antifungal α-hairpinin peptide (Sm-AMP-X) from Stellaria media seeds: structure, biosynthesis, gene structure and evolution — in vitroView study →Reference 18Slavokhotova et al. · 2017In vitroDefense peptide repertoire of Stellaria media predicted by high-throughput next-generation sequencing — in vitro/genomicView study →Reference 19Qiu et al. · 2025In vitroHeterologous expression of the Stellaria media plant defensin SmD1 in Escherichia coli — in vitroView study →}.

1. Antioxidant

Antioxidant activity is chickweed’s most reproduced pharmacology, all of it preclinical. In a screen of wild greens eaten by ethnic Albanians in southern Italy, chickweed extract strongly inhibited xanthine oxidase ^{2Reference 2Pieroni et al. · 2002In vitroIn vitro antioxidant activity of non-cultivated vegetables of ethnic Albanians in southern Italy — in vitroView study →}.

Later work found radical-scavenging activity and reducing power in water and ethanol extracts, with the water extract the best scavenger, and identified twelve phenolics, mostly flavonoids such as apigenin and kaempferol derivatives ^{3Reference 3Cusumano et al. · 2024In vitroHealth-promoting applications of chickweed (Stellaria media): in vitro, in silico and network approaches — in vitro/in silicoView study →}.

A methanol extract gave a DPPH IC₅₀ of ~28 µg/mL ^{4Reference 4Aleem et al. · 2023AnimalPhytochemical analysis and gastroprotective effect of Stellaria media methanolic extract on piroxicam-induced gastric ulcer — rat/in vivoView study →}.

In an early study, the apigenin C-glycosides isolated from chickweed showed no antioxidant activity. Of the ten C-glycosylflavones tested, only orientin and isoorientin, both prepared from other plants, were active ^{5Reference 5Budzianowski et al. · 1991In vitroStudies on the antioxidative activity of some C-glycosylflavones — in vitroView study →}.

In two rodent injury models, gastric ulcer and brain ischaemia, chickweed extracts lowered malondialdehyde ^{4,13Reference 4Aleem et al. · 2023AnimalPhytochemical analysis and gastroprotective effect of Stellaria media methanolic extract on piroxicam-induced gastric ulcer — rat/in vivoView study →Reference 13Ahmad et al. · 2022In vitroLipid peroxidation reduction and hippocampal and cortical neuron protection against ischemic damage using Stellaria media — in vitro/animalView study →}, and in the ulcer model they raised catalase ^{4Reference 4Aleem et al. · 2023AnimalPhytochemical analysis and gastroprotective effect of Stellaria media methanolic extract on piroxicam-induced gastric ulcer — rat/in vivoView study →}.

In an analysis of five wild autumn–winter greens, fresh chickweed leaves were high in antioxidants ^{25Reference 25Fukalova Fukalova et al. · 2021Five undervalued edible species: nutritional composition, bioactive constituents and volatiles profile — analyticalView study →}. Formulation work has packaged the extract in ultradeformable liposomes for delivery through the skin ^{24Reference 24Ciriolo et al. · 2025In vitroMicrofluidic design of ultradeformable liposomes for advanced skin delivery of Stellaria media phytocomplex — in vitroView study →}.

No study has measured an antioxidant endpoint in a person.

2. Anti-Obesity & Lipid-Lowering

Two rodent studies found anti-obesity effects. In female mice with progesterone-induced obesity, a methanol extract of the whole plant prevented gains in body weight and fat. The authors attributed this to an appetite-suppressing effect of the saponins and flavonoids, and to beta-sitosterol, a plant sterol that competes with dietary fat for absorption ^{6Reference 6Chidrawar et al. · 2011AnimalAntiobesity effect of Stellaria media against drug-induced obesity in Swiss albino mice — animal modelView study →}.

Lyophilised chickweed juice inhibited pancreatic lipase and amylase in vitro. At 900 mg/kg for six weeks in mice on a high-fat diet, it lowered body weight, abdominal fat, liver weight, total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL ^{7Reference 7Rani et al. · 2012In vitroQuality assessment and anti-obesity activity of Stellaria media (Linn.) Vill. — in vitro & animal modelView study →}.

An aqueous-ethanol extract stimulated the release of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a satiety hormone, from gut cells in vitro ^{20Reference 20Cho et al. · 2019In vitroEffect of six Korean plants on glucagon-like peptide-1 release — in vitroView study →}.

In rats on a high-cholesterol diet, chickweed tea at 100 mg/kg did not change blood lipids or body weight, and the authors concluded that their results did not support its folk use for high cholesterol ^{8Reference 8Demján et al. · 2020AnimalEffect of Stellaria media tea on lipid profile in rats — animal modelView study →}.

Gap: the effect appears only at high doses in particular rodent obesity models, and one study was null. No human weight or lipid data exist.

3. Anti-Inflammatory

Chickweed shows anti-inflammatory activity in vitro. In a COX assay, the hexane fraction inhibited COX-2 with an IC₅₀ of ~1.5 µg/mL. Molecular docking pointed to phenolic acids such as sinapic acid and syringic acid and to the flavone chrysin ^{9Reference 9Chak et al. · 2025In vitroIn vitro COX inhibitory activity, LC-MS analysis and molecular docking study of Silene vulgaris and Stellaria media — in vitro/in silicoView study →}.

A hexane fraction extracts fat-soluble compounds, so the result may not apply to water-based teas and poultices.

In the piroxicam gastric-ulcer model, a methanol extract reduced oxidative damage and inflammation in the stomach wall ^{4Reference 4Aleem et al. · 2023AnimalPhytochemical analysis and gastroprotective effect of Stellaria media methanolic extract on piroxicam-induced gastric ulcer — rat/in vivoView study →}.

No in-vivo inflammation model has used the herb as it is prepared in practice.

4. Antimicrobial & Antiviral

Most of chickweed’s antimicrobial literature concerns its own defence peptides. The hevein-like peptide SmAMP3 is active against fungi that attack plants, in the micromolar range, but has no antibacterial activity below 10 µM ^{16Reference 16Rogozhin et al. · 2015In vitroA novel antifungal peptide (SmAMP3) from leaves of the weed Stellaria media L. — in vitroView study →}. The α-hairpinin Sm-AMP-X is broadly active against plant-pathogenic fungi ^{17Reference 17Slavokhotova et al. · 2014In vitroNovel antifungal α-hairpinin peptide (Sm-AMP-X) from Stellaria media seeds: structure, biosynthesis, gene structure and evolution — in vitroView study →}, and the defensin SmD1 inhibits plant-pathogenic fungi and oomycetes at 1 µM or less ^{19Reference 19Qiu et al. · 2025In vitroHeterologous expression of the Stellaria media plant defensin SmD1 in Escherichia coli — in vitroView study →}. Sequencing has predicted 145 such peptides in the plant ^{18Reference 18Slavokhotova et al. · 2017In vitroDefense peptide repertoire of Stellaria media predicted by high-throughput next-generation sequencing — in vitro/genomicView study →}.

In a screen of 16 Turkish medicinal plants, chickweed extracts were not among the more active antibacterials ^{15Reference 15Yildirim et al. · 2013In vitroIn vitro antibacterial and antitumor activities of some medicinal plant extracts growing in Turkey — in vitroView study →}.

A purified 35-kDa glycoprotein, stellarmedin A, inhibited HSV-2 in vitro (IC₅₀ ~13 µg/mL) by acting on the early stage of infection ^{11Reference 11Shan et al. · 2013In vitroPurification and characterization of a novel anti-HSV-2 protein (Stellarmedin A) with antiproliferative and peroxidase activities from Stellaria media — in vitroView study →}. A fraction of fresh chickweed juice at 30 µg/mL reduced the hepatitis B surface and e antigens by 28% and 25% in HepG2.2.15 cells after six days, and lowered viral DNA ^{12Reference 12Ma et al. · 2012In vitroAnti-hepatitis B virus activity of chickweed [Stellaria media (L.) Vill.] extracts in HepG2.2.15 cells — in vitroView study →}.

Gap: the peptides were studied against plant pathogens, for crop engineering, not as treatments for human infection. The antiviral results come from cell culture only.

5. Hepatoprotective

One animal study supports liver protection. In rats with carbon-tetrachloride hepatitis, a water-soluble polysaccharide fraction of the aerial parts at 100 mg/kg lowered serum ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin, and reduced inflammation, cell death and fatty degeneration in the liver ^{10Reference 10Gorina et al. · 2013AnimalEvaluation of hepatoprotective activity of water-soluble polysaccharide fraction of Stellaria media L. — rat/in vivoView study →}.

In liver cells, a fraction of chickweed juice suppressed hepatitis B markers ^{12Reference 12Ma et al. · 2012In vitroAnti-hepatitis B virus activity of chickweed [Stellaria media (L.) Vill.] extracts in HepG2.2.15 cells — in vitroView study →}.

In a screen of fifteen Canadian folk medicines against five liver-cancer cell lines, the most active was goldthread (Coptis groenlandica), not chickweed ^{26Reference 26Lin et al. · 2002In vitroIn vitro anti-hepatoma activity of fifteen natural medicines from Canada — in vitroView study →}.

It is one study in one model, with no replication or dose-finding.

6. Gastroprotective

One dose-ranging study supports a protective effect on the stomach. In rats given piroxicam to cause gastric ulcers, a methanol extract at 150, 300 and 450 mg/kg for 14 days raised gastric pH and lowered acid volume, acidity and ulcer formation in a dose-dependent way. It also restored blood counts and antioxidant markers ^{4Reference 4Aleem et al. · 2023AnimalPhytochemical analysis and gastroprotective effect of Stellaria media methanolic extract on piroxicam-induced gastric ulcer — rat/in vivoView study →}.

It is one animal study, using a methanol extract rather than the fresh or water-based forms of traditional use.

7. Neuroprotective

The neuroprotective signal comes from one study. In rat hippocampal and cortical brain slices deprived of oxygen and glucose, chickweed extract at 40 µg/mL preserved mitochondrial function and membrane integrity (MTT and LDH assays) and reduced oxidative stress. Treated rats also had lower tissue malondialdehyde ^{13Reference 13Ahmad et al. · 2022In vitroLipid peroxidation reduction and hippocampal and cortical neuron protection against ischemic damage using Stellaria media — in vitro/animalView study →}.

It is a single study in isolated tissue, with no whole-animal behavioural or stroke outcome and no human data.

Mechanisms

The flavonoids and phenolic acids have been studied for the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory findings, and the saponins, flavonoids and beta-sitosterol for the anti-obesity effects ^{3,6,9Reference 3Cusumano et al. · 2024In vitroHealth-promoting applications of chickweed (Stellaria media): in vitro, in silico and network approaches — in vitro/in silicoView study →Reference 6Chidrawar et al. · 2011AnimalAntiobesity effect of Stellaria media against drug-induced obesity in Swiss albino mice — animal modelView study →Reference 9Chak et al. · 2025In vitroIn vitro COX inhibitory activity, LC-MS analysis and molecular docking study of Silene vulgaris and Stellaria media — in vitro/in silicoView study →}.

The antimicrobial and antiviral findings belong to proteins and peptides: the defence peptides studied against plant pathogens, and the antiviral protein stellarmedin A ^{11,16,17,18,19Reference 11Shan et al. · 2013In vitroPurification and characterization of a novel anti-HSV-2 protein (Stellarmedin A) with antiproliferative and peroxidase activities from Stellaria media — in vitroView study →Reference 16Rogozhin et al. · 2015In vitroA novel antifungal peptide (SmAMP3) from leaves of the weed Stellaria media L. — in vitroView study →Reference 17Slavokhotova et al. · 2014In vitroNovel antifungal α-hairpinin peptide (Sm-AMP-X) from Stellaria media seeds: structure, biosynthesis, gene structure and evolution — in vitroView study →Reference 18Slavokhotova et al. · 2017In vitroDefense peptide repertoire of Stellaria media predicted by high-throughput next-generation sequencing — in vitro/genomicView study →Reference 19Qiu et al. · 2025In vitroHeterologous expression of the Stellaria media plant defensin SmD1 in Escherichia coli — in vitroView study →}. The soothing, demulcent action the plant is used for has not been studied.

Clinical Trials

No registered clinical trials of Stellaria media were found on ClinicalTrials.gov. The evidence is entirely preclinical (animal, in-vitro and in-silico).

Last checked: July 2026.

Dosage

The research doses come from animal and cell studies.

Traditional Dosage

Traditional use is built on the whole fresh herb, eaten, juiced or applied, rather than a set dose.

Safety & Pregnancy

Chickweed is eaten as a wild green and has a low toxicity profile. Like other leafy wild greens it can contain oxalate and nitrate, and contact with the fresh plant occasionally causes skin allergy.

Full Safety & Interactions Detail

Oxalate and nitrate. A Spanish survey of sixteen wild greens, chickweed among them, found oxalic acid ranging from none to 1,100 mg per 100 g and nitrate from 47 to 597 mg per 100 g across the species ^{21Reference 21Guil et al. · 1997Nutritional and toxic factors in selected wild edible plants — analyticalView study →}. Large raw quantities are best avoided by people prone to kidney stones.

Contact allergy. A 52-year-old woman with 13 years of recurrent erythema multiforme after gardening among weeds had eczema-like patch-test reactions to fresh chickweed leaves, as well as to dandelion, field sow-thistle and white clover, and the erythema multiforme returned after testing ^{22Reference 22Jovanović et al. · 2003Case reportErythema multiforme due to contact with weeds: a recurrence after patch testing — case reportView study →}. The plant’s essential oil contains known contact allergens, including borneol, menthol and linalool ^{22Reference 22Jovanović et al. · 2003Case reportErythema multiforme due to contact with weeds: a recurrence after patch testing — case reportView study →}.

In Vojvodina, Serbia, 263 people were patch-tested with a chickweed extract, and 2.3% reacted ^{23Reference 23Poljacki et al. · 2005ObservationalIs Vojvodina a risk area for contact weed allergies? — observational (patch testing, n=263)View study →}.

Animal safety. Chickweed tea given to rats at 100 mg/kg did not change liver or kidney function ^{8Reference 8Demján et al. · 2020AnimalEffect of Stellaria media tea on lipid profile in rats — animal modelView study →}.

Drug interactions. No human drug-interaction studies have been done.

References

1. Oladeji, O. S., & Oyebamiji, A. K. (2020). Stellaria media (L.) Vill.— A plant with immense therapeutic potentials: phytochemistry and pharmacology — review. Heliyon, 6(6), e04150. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32548330/
2. Pieroni, A., Janiak, V., Dürr, C. M., et al. (2002). In vitro antioxidant activity of non-cultivated vegetables of ethnic Albanians in southern Italy — in vitro. Phytotherapy Research. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12203269/
3. Cusumano, G., Flores, G. A., Cetiz, M. V., et al. (2024). Health-promoting applications of chickweed (Stellaria media): in vitro, in silico and network approaches — in vitro/in silico. Food Science & Nutrition. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39620022/
4. Aleem, A., Aslam, B., et al. (2023). Phytochemical analysis and gastroprotective effect of Stellaria media methanolic extract on piroxicam-induced gastric ulcer — rat/in vivo. Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37869918/
5. Budzianowski, J., Pakulski, G., & Robak, J. (1991). Studies on the antioxidative activity of some C-glycosylflavones — in vitro. Polish Journal of Pharmacology and Pharmacy. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1824129/
6. Chidrawar, V. R., Patel, K. N., et al. (2011). Antiobesity effect of Stellaria media against drug-induced obesity in Swiss albino mice — animal model. Ayu. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22661858/
7. Rani, N., Vasudeva, N., & Sharma, S. K. (2012). Quality assessment and anti-obesity activity of Stellaria media (Linn.) Vill. — in vitro & animal model. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22943464/
8. Demján, V., Kiss, T., et al. (2020). Effect of Stellaria media tea on lipid profile in rats — animal model. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32047525/
9. Chak, P., Bisht, A., et al. (2025). In vitro COX inhibitory activity, LC-MS analysis and molecular docking study of Silene vulgaris and Stellaria media — in vitro/in silico. Cell Biochemistry and Biophysics. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39313643/
10. Gorina, Y. V., et al. (2013). Evaluation of hepatoprotective activity of water-soluble polysaccharide fraction of Stellaria media L. — rat/in vivo. Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23658890/
11. Shan, Y., et al. (2013). Purification and characterization of a novel anti-HSV-2 protein (Stellarmedin A) with antiproliferative and peroxidase activities from Stellaria media — in vitro. Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23761431/
12. Ma, L., Song, J., et al. (2012). Anti-hepatitis B virus activity of chickweed [Stellaria media (L.) Vill.] extracts in HepG2.2.15 cells — in vitro. Molecules. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22810196/
13. Ahmad, W., et al. (2022). Lipid peroxidation reduction and hippocampal and cortical neuron protection against ischemic damage using Stellaria media — in vitro/animal. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35280571/
14. Demján, V., Sója, A., et al. (2022). Stellaria media tea protects against diabetes-induced cardiac dysfunction in rats without affecting glucose tolerance — animal model. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35493309/
15. Yildirim, A. B., et al. (2013). In vitro antibacterial and antitumor activities of some medicinal plant extracts growing in Turkey — in vitro. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23790332/
16. Rogozhin, E. A., et al. (2015). A novel antifungal peptide (SmAMP3) from leaves of the weed Stellaria media L. — in vitro. Biochimie. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26196691/
17. Slavokhotova, A. A., et al. (2014). Novel antifungal α-hairpinin peptide (Sm-AMP-X) from Stellaria media seeds: structure, biosynthesis, gene structure and evolution — in vitro. Plant Molecular Biology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24081691/
18. Slavokhotova, A. A., et al. (2017). Defense peptide repertoire of Stellaria media predicted by high-throughput next-generation sequencing — in vitro/genomic. Biochimie. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28038935/
19. Qiu, Y., & Song, Q. (2025). Heterologous expression of the Stellaria media plant defensin SmD1 in Escherichia coli — in vitro. PeerJ. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40585329/
20. Cho, H., et al. (2019). Effect of six Korean plants on glucagon-like peptide-1 release — in vitro. Food Science and Biotechnology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31695957/
21. Guil, J. L., Rodríguez-García, I., & Torija, E. (1997). Nutritional and toxic factors in selected wild edible plants — analytical. Plant Foods for Human Nutrition. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9527345/
22. Jovanović, M., Mimica-Dukić, N., Poljacki, M., & Boza, P. (2003). Erythema multiforme due to contact with weeds: a recurrence after patch testing — case report. Contact Dermatitis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12641574/
23. Poljacki, M., Jovanović, M., et al. (2005). Is Vojvodina a risk area for contact weed allergies? — observational (patch testing, n=263). Medicinski Pregled. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16526208/
24. Ciriolo, L., et al. (2025). Microfluidic design of ultradeformable liposomes for advanced skin delivery of Stellaria media phytocomplex — in vitro. Pharmaceutics. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41304728/
25. Fukalova Fukalova, T., et al. (2021). Five undervalued edible species: nutritional composition, bioactive constituents and volatiles profile — analytical. PeerJ. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34900422/
26. Lin, L. T., et al. (2002). In vitro anti-hepatoma activity of fifteen natural medicines from Canada — in vitro. Phytotherapy Research. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12203264/
27. Rabeler, R. K., & Hartman, R. L. (n.d.). Stellaria media (Linnaeus) Villars — species description, habitat and distribution — flora. In Flora of North America Editorial Committee (eds.), Flora of North America North of Mexico, Vol. 5. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=200007072
28. Chen, S., & Rabeler, R. K. (n.d.). Stellaria media (Linnaeus) Villars — species description and distribution — flora. In Wu, Z. Y., & Raven, P. H. (eds.), Flora of China, Vol. 6. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200007072
29. North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. (n.d.). Stellaria media (chickweed) — description, habit, native range and edibility — plant database. NC State Extension. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/stellaria-media/
30. Hu, Q., & Kelso, S. (n.d.). Anagallis arvensis Linnaeus — species description and distribution — flora. In Wu, Z. Y., & Raven, P. H. (eds.), Flora of China, Vol. 15. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200016886
31. Rivero, R., Zabala, A., Gianneechini, R., Gil, J., & Moraes, J. (2001). Anagallis arvensis poisoning in cattle and sheep in Uruguay — observational (livestock outbreaks). Veterinary and Human Toxicology, 43(1), 27–30. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11205073/

View all 31 references▾