Chickweed Safety Notes

While Stellaria media (chickweed) is generally considered safe as a food, certain cautions should be observed due to its bioactive compounds and potential for adverse effects in sensitive individuals.

Safety Profile and Toxicity

Animal studies and reviews indicate that Stellaria media, when consumed as tea or in typical dietary amounts, does not show evidence of toxicity or cause significant changes in liver, kidney, or cardiac function in rats, suggesting a favorable safety profile for general consumption (Demján et al., 2020; Demján, 2021; Singh et al., 2022). No acute toxicity was observed in animal models, and traditional use as a food is well-documented (Singh et al., 2022; Cusumano et al., 2024).

Potential Adverse Effects and Cautions

Despite its general safety, Stellaria media contains several bioactive compounds—such as saponins, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, and nitrates—that may cause adverse effects if consumed in large quantities or by sensitive individuals (Oladeji & Oyebamiji, 2020). Reported potential side effects include:

• Contact dermatitis, diarrhea, nausea, dizziness, and skin reactions (erythema multiforme) from high intake of certain metabolites (Oladeji & Oyebamiji, 2020).
• Nitrate content may lead to symptoms like vertigo, weakness, headache, difficulty breathing, and cyanosis, especially in vulnerable populations (e.g., children, pregnant women, or those with nitrate sensitivity) (Oladeji & Oyebamiji, 2020).
• Allergic reactions are possible, as with any plant food, particularly in individuals with known plant allergies (Oladeji & Oyebamiji, 2020).

Cautions for Specific Populations

• Pregnant and breastfeeding women, children, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions should exercise caution and consult a healthcare provider before consuming large amounts of Stellaria media due to limited human safety data (Oladeji & Oyebamiji, 2020; Singh et al., 2022).

Table: Potential Risks and Safety Considerations

Figure 1: Summary of potential risks and safety considerations for eating Stellaria media.

Conclusion

Stellaria media is widely consumed as food and is generally safe in moderate amounts, but high intake or use by sensitive groups may pose risks due to its bioactive compounds. Individuals with allergies, children, and pregnant women should be especially cautious.

Dig deeper. Chickweed: A Foraging Guide to Its Food, Medicine and Other Uses

References

Demján, V., Kiss, T., Siska, A., Szabó, M., Sárközy, M., Földesi, I., Csupor, D., & Csont, T. (2020). Effect of Stellaria media Tea on Lipid Profile in Rats. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : eCAM, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/5109328

Demján, V. (2021). Amelioration of metabolic cardiovascular risk factors and ischemia/reperfusion injury: focus on natural substances. **. https://doi.org/10.14232/phd.11070

Oladeji, O., & Oyebamiji, A. (2020). Stellaria media (L.) Vill.- A plant with immense therapeutic potentials: phytochemistry and pharmacology. Heliyon, 6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04150

Singh, R., Chaudhary, M., & Chauhan, E. (2022). Stellaria media Linn.: A comprehensive review highlights the nutritional, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities. Journal of Herbmed Pharmacology. https://doi.org/10.34172/jhp.2022.38

Cusumano, G., Flores, G., Cetiz, M., Kurt, U., Ak, G., Saka, E., Aly, S., Eldahshan, O., Singab, A., Zengin, G., Senkardes, I., Rodrigues, M., Custódio, L., Emiliani, C., & Angelini, P. (2024). Small Steps to the Big Picture for Health‐Promoting Applications Through the Use of Chickweed (Stellaria media): In Vitro, In Silico, and Pharmacological Network Approaches. Food Science & Nutrition, 12, 9295 – 9313. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.4505