Healing with Chickweed: A Surprising Remedy for Coughs, Colds & More

Springtime seems to be hitting us with more than just flowers this year — colds and flus are making the rounds, and my poor little guy got the brunt of it. He’s been dealing with some stubborn infections, complete with high fevers and heavy lung congestion. When he’s under the weather, I turn to my go-to collection of herbal teas to support his healing — and one of the most effective for chest congestion is chickweed. Yes, chickweed — that scrappy little plant that pops up uninvited along the side of your house, your deck, and anywhere there’s a bit of cool shade. While most people see it as a pesky weed, many don’t realize that chickweed has healing properties; it’s a surprising remedy for coughs, colds, and more! I brew it into a gentle tea and let my son sip it freely when his cough becomes concerning. It works quite well for him — easing his symptoms and helping him bounce back quickly. But chickweed isn’t just good for lung troubles. This humble herb has a surprising range of healing properties. So what exactly is chickweed tea good for? Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of chickweed tea — and I’ll share a simple recipe so you can make it at home too!

What Is Chickweed?

Chickweed (Stellaria media) is a common weed that is highly nutritious. It often grows in moist, fertile soils that have been disturbed. This may include lawns, gardens, agricultural fields, and roadsides. It gets its name because chickens and other small birds love to eat it! It is also safe for humans, and can be eaten as a salad green or made into a tea or poultice to treat common ailments.

Note: it is important to make a positive identification of chickweed as it has several dopplegangers, some of which are poisonous (scarlet pimpernel, spurge).

Chickweed Medicinal Benefits

With a number of medicinal properties, such as demulcent, refrigerant, mucilaginous, pectoral, and resolvent, chickweed is a valuable herb to have on hand. Let’s explore why this underappreciated weed deserves more attention:

Demulcent (Soothing)

Chickweed contains mucilage, a slippery substance that coats and protects inflamed tissues. This makes it ideal for sore throats, irritated digestive tracts, and dry coughs. This also means it’s excellent for applying topically as a poultice to irritated skin like eczema and insect bites.

Refrigerant (Cooling)

A refrigerant reduces heat from the body, making it useful for conditions like fever and sunburns. Chickweed tea can be used internally to reduce fevers, and applied externally as a salve or poultice to a sunburn.

Pectoral (Respiratory Support)

An herb with pectoral properties has several actions that support the lungs. Chickweed not only soothes dry coughs due to its demulcent qualities, but also loosens phlegm, making it easier to expel from the lungs.

Chickweed’s refrigerant qualities also reduce inflammation, making it an excellent herb for allergic asthma, smoke-related irritation, and dry bronchitis.

Resolvent (Anti-Inflammatory)

Chickweed has resolvent, or anti-inflammatory properties, useful for sore throats, respiratory irritation, inflamed stomachs, urinary tracts, and joint inflammation.

Its anti-inflammatory properties are due to a few different compounds. Flavonoids in chickweed, like apigenin and luteolin, hamper the formation of cytokines and inflammatory enzymes.

Saponins are plant compounds that lather when mixed with water, and help to calm inflammation in tissues of the gut and urinary tract.

Mucilage also helps reduce inflammation by soothing and coating irritated tissues.

Laxative

Chickweed has mild laxative effects due to its high mucilage content, which softens stool, making elimination easier. Traditionally, it’s been used for various digestive issues, including relieving constipation, soothing the digestive tract, and gently cleansing the bowels. Too much chickweed can cause diarrhea, however, so best to use it in moderation.

What Is Chickweed Tea Good For?

Now that we’ve explored some of chickweed’s medicinal properties, let’s take a closer look at the specific ailments it’s particularly effective in treating.

Colds

Chickweed has many actions that help relieve the symptoms of a cold.

Because it is an expectorant, chickweed helps to ease lung congestion. It loosens phlegm in the airways making it easier to cough up. Clearing the lungs of mucous makes breathing easier.

Irritated lungs also benefit from chickweed’s anti-inflammatory properties. If you have a sore throat, drinking chickweed tea will help coat and soothe it. In fact, herbalist Jethro Kloss states that chickweed “heals and soothes anything it comes in contact with.” (Kloss, 2004, p. 234).¹

Bronchitis & Coughs

If you’re suffering from a nasty cough, chickweed’s various medicinal properties will help to heal and soothe. As a demulcent, expectorant, and anti-inflammatory, it eases the discomfort caused by a hacking cough, clears out chest congestion, and calms inflamed tissues in the lungs and throat.

What’s more, chickweed gently stimulates lymphatic drainage, important for bronchitis, where swollen glands and an underactive immune system may be present. Drinking chickweed tea can support the removal of waste from the body while reducing swelling and boosting the immune system’s efficiency.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Chickweed tea can also be used to relieve the pain and swelling associated with rheumatoid arthritis. The active compounds responsible for these effects are flavonoids and saponins (see Resolvent-Anti-inflammatory above). For best results, drink 2-3 cups a day.

Skin Health

Chickweed is a powerful ally for soothing irritated skin, thanks to its natural anti-inflammatory and cooling properties. It’s especially effective in calming conditions like acne, eczema, rashes, and insect bites. By reducing redness, itchiness, and swelling, chickweed offers gentle relief to inflamed areas. Its cooling effect is particularly helpful for easing the discomfort of itchy, inflamed patches, while its detoxifying properties support the body in addressing internal factors that may contribute to acne flare-ups.

Ingredients

• Chickweed – dried
• Water
• Honey (optional)
• Lemon (optional)

How to Make Chickweed Tea

Boil water in a medium-sized pot. Add chickweed and simmer until the volume reduces by half.

Strain out the chickweed and pour into a mug. Add honey and lemon to taste.

Drink 1-3 cups per day until symptoms clear up.

Notes

• Chickweed has a mild grassy flavour which some people enjoy. Feel free to add a bag of peppermint or licorice tea to enhance the flavour and medicinal benefits.
• For colds or bronchitis, add a teaspoon of yarrow and a teaspoon of catnip (or red raspberry leaf) to this recipe for additional flu-fighting benefits.
• If available, fresh chickweed can be used in place of dried. Use 3 times the amount.
• Chickweed is generally safe to use, even for children. If you are pregnant or taking medication, consult with a doctor before using.
• If foraging for chickweed, make sure it has not been sprayed with pesticides.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chickweed Tea

1. What does chickweed tea taste like?
It has a mild, slightly grassy flavour—some describe it as refreshing and similar to green tea but more subtle. You can mix it with herbs like mint or lemon balm for added flavour.

2. How often can I drink chickweed tea?
Chickweed tea is generally safe for short-term, moderate use (1–3 cups per day). For long-term or medicinal use, it’s best to consult a qualified herbalist, especially if you have underlying health conditions or take medications.

3. Can I use fresh chickweed, or does it need to be dried?
You can use both! Fresh chickweed is ideal if you have access to clean, pesticide-free plants. Dried chickweed is more convenient and stores well. Use about twice as much fresh herb as dried when making tea.

4. Are there any side effects or precautions?
Chickweed is considered safe for most people, but it can cause mild stomach upset in large amounts. Avoid if you’re allergic to plants in the Caryophyllaceae family. Always consult a healthcare provider if you’re pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.

5. What part of the chickweed plant is used in tea?
Typically, the aerial parts—leaves, stems, and flowers—are used fresh or dried in herbal remedies.

Want to find more recipes like this? Check out the Natural Remedies page.

Have you used chickweed as an herbal remedy? Share your experiences below!

1. Kloss, J. (2004). Back to Eden: The Classic Guide to Herbal Medicine, Natural Foods, and Home Remedies Since 1939 (2nd ed., p. 234). Lotus Press. ↩︎