Chickweed is an herb that grows well in many areas, both outdoors and indoors. If you have never grown any type of herb before, chickweed edible plants can be very intimidating because of their very strong foliage and for those who are new to herb gardening they might not understand the ease with which they grow. Regardless of your experience with growing herbs you should try to learn more about chickweed edible plants, and if you do not have any experience, you can find plenty of information about this plant online.
Chickweed is a perennial herb that grows in fields, meadows, along roads, and near lakes. It is a member of the mint family, Lamiaceae, and is commonly called “chickweed.” The plant derives its name from the small white flowers that grow throughout the herb’s tall stems and branches. Although it is not very tall, the short narrow leaves provide an herbaceous quality that makes chickweed edible and also makes it very attractive.
This small white flower sits on a twig-like stem about one inch long. To obtain the best flavor from the chickweed herb, it is best harvested soon after it blooms. This plant is very sensitive to frost and can easily dry up if left out in the cold. However, if you keep it well watered and it gets a lot of sun it will keep growing until the last frost.
As a poultice for minor digestive problems it is very effective. To use chickweed edible plants you simply need to boil it in water until it is a mellow green color, strain it and add a few drops of essential oils to improve its flavor. Essential oils include eucalyptus, marjoram, scented rice bran oil, and peppermint. These essential oils work together to alleviate minor digestive problems because they are natural analgesics.
One of the greatest things about using chickweed edible plants is that it is so easy to grow. Unlike many herbs which take years to develop and require a large area to grow, chickweed only needs a small area and will grow very fast. In fact it is faster growing than most garden grown vegetables. It is very hardy in any type of weather and loves the sunlight. Chickweed will bloom in spring and the foliage is full and beautiful in summer.
Since chickweed is so easy to grow and maintain, it is often used as an edible crop as a remedy for minor ailments. It is very simple to prepare a chickweed recipe using it. You simply need to purchase or gather enough chickweed to make at least one cup. Of course, depending on the size of your garden, you can grow enough chickweed for your entire family to eat.
Most people use a chickweed good in a decoction. A decoction is simply a drink that consists of the herb along with water. This can be added to other beverages such as tea or cocoa to give an herbal treatment. This is a popular herbal treatment for colds, coughs and sore throats.
For those who are not into the medicinal aspect of growing and consuming the herb, using chickweed as a decoration for your herb garden is a fun way to spice things up. The bright colors of the flowering plant is also a nice compliment to the overall scheme of your garden. Decorating with chickweed is a great way to expand your gardening horizons beyond your kitchen. Check out the website below for more information on how to grow chickweed and enjoy the many rewards of its culinary uses.