Chickweed is an edible wild weed, that grows in most of parts of North America. The tender young leaves are a tasty addition to salads, and the older leaves can be cooked, though I haven't personally tried that yet - I've just eaten it in salads. I planted some in a container early this spring, for ease of gathering, and to test its tolerances to heat and cold. What I found, was that it thrives in sun and shade, in hot weather and cold, with little water or with a lot of water. It did fine as a container plant throughout this past summer, and is still doing great this winter. I've left it out on my deck in temperatures as low as twenty degrees, and the cold hasn't fazed it. My Russian Kale, which is extremely cold hardy, has suffered from the cold much more so than the chickweed. I've also learned that chickweed is one of the most prolific weeds in nature. I've had to pick it out of every other container which sat within ten feet of the pot in which I originally cultivated the chickweed. It would be an extreme nuisance if it wasn't so edible. After playing with this plant this year, if I had to select one salad green as a survival food, it would be chickweed. You practically can't kill it. It grows in all types of soils, in hot and cold, and reproduces constantly. Any of you guys and gals who do container gardening, you might want to try it. I wouldn't recommend it for garden beds though, I would imagine that it would take over pretty quickly.
chickweedchickweed: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions and Warnings - WebMD Very little seems to be known as to how chickweed works, but is thought to be safe to eat. I believe I have heard of chickweed also being added to coffee or tea.
Amazon Chickweed tea. Amazon.com: Chickweed Herbal Coffee Stellaria Media 100% Caffeine Free - 100g: Health & Personal Care Chickweed coffee
You'll either love chicory or hate it at first...it gives coffee a very different taste. I kinda like it
The first I ever heard of it was a LONG time ago. There was a movement afoot back in the 60s to stretch the coffee bean imports (and thus coffee price) which at the time were under stress from a poor harvest. Didn't like it then, and don't now. I think, but do NOT know, that Lusienne (or something like that) is still available.
This plant sounds as though it would be a good candidate for a "plant it and forget it" program near a retreat. Like has been said in another string, this could be planted on a piece of ground that was to be a retreat location along with fruit trees, berry bushes with little to no care needed. That way it can do its thing w/o taking over the garden plot later on.
Chickweed as a tea, is supposed to promote weight loss according to a doctor Oz. Also used as a diuretic.
My thoughts exactly....added to my list of "things to try".... If it's tasty, it'll find its way to my fishin holes....though i'm not crazy if it's a poop propellant....