Stellaria Media, or Chickweed and Obesity
Benefits: Appetite Suppressant, Reduces Fat Absorption
Background: Stellaria media, or chickweed, is a common weed in both Europe and America. It provides an abundant source of foliage year round, and for this reason has sometimes been used as food for chickens (hence the name). The word “Stellaria” comes from the Latin word “stela” or star, and refers to the white, star shaped flowers.
Description: a small, creeping, annual herb which grows up to two inches in height, Chickweed has diffusely branched, soft and brittle stems with ovate, pale green leaves up to one inch long. The branches bear white, star shaped flowers in the early summer which are followed by small, nodding fruits enclosed in green calyxes which open when the seed is ripe.
Cultivation: moist soil in sun and shade. The plant is hardy in USDA Climate Zones 5-9 and is easily started in the spring from seed in the garden or greenhouse.
Parts Used: the entire plant above ground.
Harvest: Stellaria media should be harvested in late spring, when the plant is in bloom.
Research: Chickweed tea has long had a folk reputation as an effective remedy for obesity, and indeed, several recent clinical studies have highlighted its benefits in this regard. For example, a 2011 study (1) demonstrated that a methanolic extract of Stellaria media prevented obesity in female albino mice. A second study in 2012 (2) found that Stellaria media juice inhibited digestive enzymes in mice which delayed intestinal absorption of dietary fat and carbohydrates. A third study (3) found that Stellaria media extract has both thermogenic (causing the generation of heat) and appetite suppressant effects in female Wistar rats fed a high fat cafeteria diet.
- “Anti-obesity effect of Stellaria media against drug-induced obesity in Swiss albino mice”, Chidrawar, V.R., et al., Quarterly Journal of Research in Ayurveda, 2011 Oct-Dec., 32(4):576-584.
- “Quality Assessment and anti-obesity activity of Stellaria media(Linn) Vill” Rani N., et al, BMC Complementary Alterative Medicine, 2012; 12;145.
- “Anti-obesity effect of Stellaria media methanolic extract in the murine model of cafeteria diet induced obesity” Chidrawar V.R. eta l, IJN 2012 Vol 2 Issue 2 121-131.