Herbs for Birds - Chickweed
By Marie Miley-Russell
Published in the DRAGON News March 2008
As
its name, “chick weed” implies, this plant has been given to birds for
nearly as long as birds have been kept in captivity. In fact, John
Gerard wrote of chickweed in his classic 1597 English text on medicinal
plants Herbal or General History of Plants that “little birds in
cadges (especially Linnets) are refreshed with the lesser Chickweed, and
also rabbits; cows and horses will eat it; sheep are indifferent to it,
but goats refuse to touch it”. I have been told by experienced breeders
that fanciers used to tear up fresh chickweed plants and provide them-
dirt, roots, and all- to their birds to condition them for breeding. It
is a well known tonic for caged birds and poultry.
Although
the name has been applied to a number of different plants, Stelleraria
media is the common garden weed with which most are familiar. It can be
found nearly everywhere on the planet. Chickweed is a low growing
persistent annual plant that forms dense mats and readily self-seeds. It
has been called the “most common weed on the planet” so one is almost
certain to find it growing somewhere nearby.
The
plant’s leaves are excellent sources of vitamins A (in the form of beta
carotene), B, C, and D and are also a rich source of minerals such as
calcium, potassium, phosphorus, manganese, zinc, magnesium, copper, and
iron. It is also very high in alpha linolenic acid, an Omega-3 fatty
acid that is important to cardiovascular health. Other plant sources of
alpha linolenic acid commonly fed to canaries include flaxseed,
rapeseed, soybeans, wheat germ, purslane, and green leafy vegetables
such as spinach, kale, and broccoli. Of these, chickweed and flaxseed
are the best sources of this vital fatty acid.
Chickweed
should be harvested in early spring and late fall. There is an old
saying that “chickweed tastes best when the trees have no leaves”.
Chickweed can be used before, during and after flowering. Chickweed
prefers cooler weather and sunny to partially shady areas. If in doubt
when harvesting chickweed, snap a stem to see if it is dry- if milky sap
runs out, toss it. Also, as with ALL
wild-harvested food, be careful to harvest only in areas that have not
been treated with herbicides or pesticides and avoid harvesting plants
from roadsides, which may be contaminated by runoff and other
pollutants.
Fresh
chickweed does not freeze well so it must be used fresh or dried. Good
quality dried herbs should retain a deep green color. If the leaves lose
their color, the herbs should be discarded. Dried chickweed may be
placed in a plastic freezer bag and stored in the freezer for 6 months
or so.
Herbalists
value chickweed for its ability to cool inflammation. It is reported to
stop bleeding in the stomach and bowels, so it could be beneficial for
birds with gastrointestinal problems. Chickweed also reportedly has
diuretic properties and may help eliminate toxins from the system.
The
most practical form of chickweed to use during the winter months when
most breeders are beginning to condition birds for breeding is the dried
form. This can be purchased at a reasonable cost through bulk herb
suppliers. I supply it as a part of the herb mixture provided to my
birds year-round. It is relished by the birds and is the one picked out
first before the rest are eaten. In the spring, entire fresh plants are
provided to the birds in the flight and they disappear in short order.
No warranty or guarantee of a cure is expressed or implied with any information on this site, nor do I make any representations regarding the use or the results obtained with the information. In no event shall I be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever which may arise from the use of information on this site. Use this information at your own discretion.
Herbs may be harmful when taken in excessive amounts, in conjunction with other herbs or medications, or when taken for the wrong condition. The fact that herbs are natural does not mean that they are all safe. You are advised to use caution when offering any herbal supplement to your pet. If your bird is ill, an avian veterinarian should be consulted.
webmaster@americansingercanary.com.
Source:
Link: http://americansingercanary.com/chickweed.htm
Food for Humans
Birds, however, are not the only creatures which delight in feasting upon chickweed. With its fresh, mild taste, this leafy plant makes a delightful addition to salads. Gregory L. Tilford gives chickweed rave reviews in his book "Edible and Medicinal Plants of the West," calling it "without doubt one of the most enjoyable wild salad greens in existence."
In addition to being eaten raw, chickweed can be steamed or sauteed in a manner similar to spinach. It can be substituted for lettuce or spinach on sandwiches or as an exotic garnish. Chickweed also makes a singular soup ingredient.
Chickweed is nutritious as well as delicious, containing significant amounts of vitamins A, B, C and D as well as calcium, iron, copper, manganese, potassium, sodium and zinc.
In addition to its abundance of essential vitamins and minerals, chickweed contains resins and glycosides possessing antiseptic qualities. For this reason, it has long been used to make medicinal poultices to be applied to the skin for the treatment of a number of conditions. In the 1860s and 1870s, herbal catalogs published by Shaker communities included chickweed. The Shakers utilized this herb to treat ophthalmia, or inflammation of the eye, as well as erysipelas, an acute bacterial skin infection.
Internal Medicinal Use
In addition to its culinary use as a nutritious green vegetable and its therapeutic use as an external poultice for skin infections, chickweed has also been used to brew a medicinal infusion. In his book "Medicinal Plants in Folk Tradition: an Ethnobotany of Britain & Ireland," David E. Allen reports the use of chickweed tea as a traditional cure for insomnia, as well as for loosing excess weight. Allen also asserts that in Essex, chickweed tea was drunk to cure rheumatism.
Resources
Link: http://www.ehow.com/info_8038053_uses-chickweed.html
