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  Stephen Rye Switzer, L.M.T.                    Massage and Herbal Medicine

Chickweed - Stellaria media

4/22/2012

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Which dried herb pile do you think was recently harvested from the lawn up in Tivoli? That's right - the green one.  The pile on the right is chickweed from Mountain Rose herbs in Oregon. No bad blood, but herbs are ALWAYS better if you can harvest or grow them in your local area.

Chickweed is a powerful and common lawn & bike-path side herb. It is best used fresh (sorry dried herbs!) for blood toxicity, fevers, inflammation, and other HOT diseases. An oil or salve can be made to treat skin rashes, eczema and psoriasis.  Eaten fresh or in a tea, it is a fabulous spring blood cleanser and weight eliminator (both physically and psychosocially). 

Go out and find chickweed growing in your lawns and the park - it tastes like spinach and is delicious raw or lightly steamed. Right now it is flowering and you can see the tiny star-shaped flowers below. 

Enjoy other spring herbs like dandelion, cleavers & violet in a refreshing spring salad - now is the perfect time to munch on these spring cleansers. 
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    Stephen Rye is a massage therapist, herbalist, gardener, and organizer.

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