Chickweed
A common garden weed with a long folk reputation as a slimming and diuretic herb. There are no human trials of any kind; the entire evidence base is laboratory work.
Evidence last reviewed: August 2026
What the science says
- Weight loss and appetite Limited evidence
No randomized trial, controlled study or even an uncontrolled human study of chickweed for body weight or appetite is indexed in PubMed. The slimming reputation rests entirely on traditional herbal use.
- Enzyme-inhibiting activity in the lab Limited evidence
An in vitro and in silico study characterised chickweed extracts and reported activity against digestive and metabolic enzymes in test tubes. Test-tube enzyme inhibition regularly fails to reproduce in people, and none of this has been tested in humans.
Dosage & safety
Studied doseNo studied dose exists. Traditional preparations use 1–5 g of dried herb as a tea, and product labels typically suggest 300–500 mg of extract, stated without supporting trial data.
SafetyEaten as a wild green with no widely reported serious harms, but the safety of concentrated extracts has not been formally assessed. It contains saponins, which can irritate the gut at higher doses. Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding for lack of data.
Scientific references
Where to buy
Referral link — this site may earn a commission on purchases.
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