Table of Contents
- Edible Uses of Mouse-ear Chickweeds
- Medicinal Uses of Mouse-ear Chickweeds
- Alternative Uses of Mouse-ear Chickweed
- Growing Cerastium SPP.
The chickweeds we’re talking about here is the Cerastium spp., known as mouse-ear chickweeds. They’re almost as edible, furriness aside, but not as medicinal as the Stellaria species.
It’s important to note the hairless “common chickweed” (Stellaria media) is a rare nonnative in the wild here, and the usual one offered from seed providers. It’s typically grown for salad greens. But again, we’re not covering Stellaria SPP. today. At some point, for sure!
For now we’re talking mouse-ear chickweed (Cerastium spp.) These little herbs are covered in tiny harmless hairs. Our rare native chickweed is field chickweed (Cerastium arvense). We also have the nonnative mouse-ear (Cerastium fontanum), which is more common. I see it along trails, mixed with grasses. There are others native to Ontario, but not listed in Haliburton Flora. They have delicate little white flowers:
Edible Uses of Mouse-ear Chickweeds
Most chickweeds from both genera have aerial parts that are entirely edible, and most can be eaten raw, but cooking is recommended. Typically, hairy mouse leaved chickweeds are cooked or steamed 5 min to improve the texture. You can also skip cooking and just dry the furry ones, but the dried leaves don’t store well.
As a potherb it gives soups and stews an herbal flavoring. You can also toss it into smoothies, your juicer, into a pesto, or even use it as a garnish.
A good source of vitamin A and C.
Medicinal Uses of Mouse-ear Chickweeds
The medicinal use of our furry chickweeds is sparse. I was hoping I’d find out it rivalled the stellaria species, but apparently not.
Indeed the chickweed most talked about in herbal circles is stellaria spp., traditionally a cure-all. There’s a lot to say about it. It’s especially useful for anti-itch skin creams. Since it is occasionally found here, we’ll cover it another time.
Alternative Uses of Mouse-ear Chickweed
Its shallow roots act like a living mulch and it’s a quaint pretty flower to mix in with your tall grasses.
Growing Cerastium SPP.
A few seeds can be gathered from the native field chickweed and directly sown in the fall.
There are annual chickweeds native to Ontario too: short-stalked (Cerastium brachypodum) and nodding (Cerastium nutans).
These should all self sow once you’ve started them.
WARNINGS
Consume in moderation.
Don’t consume if pregnant (lack of testing).
And the Usual Cautions:
1) Most medicinal herbs, if edible, are meant to be eaten in moderation, even sparingly. Some require extra preparation. Tannins are toxic if consumed in excess. Before taking any new supplements, you should consult with a healthcare professional.
2) A vast amount of these herbs are diuretic. (See the Medicinal tags above to check if this featured herb is one of them!) Diuretics are generally safe, but they can be risky for people with other medical conditions or who take certain medications. Please consult your doctor if you have any health conditions.
3) People can be allergic or sensitive to nearly any plant; try new herbs one at a time at your own risk. For instance, saponins commonly cause stomach upset.
4) For serious medicinal use, I must recommend receiving a diagnosis and working with a reputed health care provider. I generally do not post specific treatments and dosages because I think that is best between you and your health care provider, and ideally monitored.
5) Anyone pregnant, nursing, or taking prescription drugs should talk to a health care professional before adding new food items to their diet.
6) Many plants have look-a-likes, and sometimes they are poisonous.
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REFERENCES
My new favourite foraging book is Sam Thayer’s Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants: of Eastern and Central North America (The Sam Thayer’s Field Guides) Paperback – June 1, 2023 and this plant IS featured as one of the edible wild plants in this area. I highly recommend this guide for your bookshelves!
Cerastium Linnaeus – Database of Vascular Plants of Canada (VASCAN)
How Indians Use Wild Plants for Food, Medicine & Crafts (Native American)
Edible and Medicinal Plants of Canada
Stalking the Healthful Herbs (Field Guide Edition)
The Herb Book: The Most Complete Catalog of Herbs Ever Published (Dover Cookbooks)
The Yoga of Herbs: An Ayurvedic Guide to Herbal Medicine
Indian Herbalogy of North America: The Definitive Guide to Native Medicinal Plants and Their Uses
The Good Living Guide to Natural and Herbal Remedies: Simple Salves, Teas, Tinctures, and More
The Herbal Medicine-Maker’s Handbook: A Home ManualRosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide: 33 Healing Herbs to Know, Grow, and Use
Field Guide to North American Edible Wild Plants (Out of Print)