Cleavers

Galium aparine

COMMON NAMES

• Catchweed
• Cleavers
• Goose Grass

Cleavers is an annual plant found in moist or grassy places and along river banks and fences in Canada, the eastern half of the U.S., and the Pacific Coast. A slender taproot produces the weak, square, procumbent or climbing, prickly stem that grows 2-6 feet in length. The rough, oblong-lanceo-late-to-aimost-linear leaves occur in whorls of six to eight around the stem. The small, white or greenish-white flowers appear from May to September. The plant exudes a strong, honey-like odor and is best gathered in July.

Cleavers makes an excellent facial wash as it tightens the skin. For those with the customary wrinkles and sags that come with age, this might be an herb to consider.

Bring one quart of water to a boil. Remove from heat and add 3-1/2 tbsp. of dried herb. Cover and steep for 40 min. Wash the face and neck often. Packs consisting of a wash cloth or small terrycloth hand towel soaked in the tea, lightly wrung out and then applied to the entire facial area for up to 10 minutes several times a day should help to tighten up loose skin folds. Gradual results should become evident within 2 weeks. One of the first things to look for is a new kind of life feeling in formerly tired, worn-out skin.

Cleavers is a common hedgerow weed that is a wonderful cleansing  remedy, clearing toxins from the system and reducing heat and , inflammation. Cleavers has a diuretic action, aiding elimination of wastes, and also acts to enhance the lymphatic system, promoting lymphatic drainage of toxins and wastes so that they can be excreted via the urinary system. These actions combine to make cleavers  excellent for fluid retention, skin problems including eczema, psoriasis, acne, boils and abscesses, urinary infections, urinary stones and gravel, arthritis and gout. Cleavers can be used for lymphatic problems, such as lymphatic congestion and swollen lymph glands, congestion of the breasts, and is said to have anti-tumor activity, particularly when in the skin or breasts, and the lymphatic system.

Cleavers has cooling properties, reducing fevers and resolving eruptive infections such as measles and chickenpox. Cleavers cools heat and inflammation in the body, seen in conditions such as cystitis, arthritis, inflammatory skin problems and digestive problems. Its bitter properties stimulate liver function and enhance digestion and absorption. A cooling drink made of cleavers was traditionally given every spring to "clear the blood".

The fresh leaves can be applied to cuts or wounds to check bleeding and speed healing. The juice or an infusion can be used to bathe varicose ulcers, or the fresh leaves can be made into a poultice. Cleavers will soothe and cool burns, sunburn, inflammatory skin problems such as eczema and acne, and clear the skin of blemishes.

PARTS USED

Aerial parts.

USES

A valuable diuretic, cleavers is often taken for skin diseases such as seborrhea, eczema, and psoriasis; for swollen lymph glands and as a general detoxifying agent in serious illnesses such as cancer. The plant is commonly prepared in the form of an infusion, but for conditions such as cancer, it is best taken as a juice, which is strongly diuretic. The juice and the infusion are also taken for kidney stones and other urinary problems.

HABITAT AND CULTIVATION

Common throughout Europe and North America, cleavers is found in many other temperate regions, including in Australia. Cleavers grows prolifically in gardens and along roadsides, and is gathered when it is just about to flower in late spring.

RESEARCH

According to French research (1947), an extract of the plant appears to lower blood pressure.

CONSTITUENTS

Cleavers contains iridoids (including asperuloside), polyphenolic acids, anthraquinones (only in the root), alkanes, flavonoids, and tannins. Asperuloside is a mild laxative.

USUAL DOSAGE

As a juice taken internally, it is reportedly at its best for cases of swellings and tumors. Wash the fresh herb and add it with water to a food processor, or blender to pulp it. Strain the juice and drink a wineglassful a day. It is possible to freeze the juice in ice trays, and defrost as required. Externally, cleavers has been used as a cream or ointment for lumps and ulcerations. Internally, as an infusion take 1 cup, 200 ml (8 fl oz), three times a day. Externally, the cooled infusion may be used as a wash or poultice for inflamed skin conditions.

HOW IT WORKS IN THE BODY

Cleavers' main action is that of a diuretic. As a way of eliminating toxins from the body via the urinary system, it is used for kidney stones and other urinary complaints, such as cystitis. In addition, its eliminative nature means it is helpful in skin conditions, e.g., eczema and psoriasis. Cleavers is thought to be an effective lymphatic cleanser, and is used in swollen lymph glands. It is possibly a combination of these detoxifying properties that has promoted its use in cancers and similar illnesses. One of the iridoids acts as a mild laxative. There is some research into its properties with regard to the lowering of blood pressure. Cleavers has reportedly been used for insomnia.

APPLICATIONS

AERIAL PARTS:

JUICE - Liquidize or pulp the fresh plant to make an effective diuretic and lymphatic cleanser for a range of conditions, including glandular fever, tonsillitis, and prostate disorders.

INFUSION - Generally less strong than the juice. Use for urinary problems such as cystitis and gravel; also take as a cooling drink for fevers.

TINCTURE - Use for the same ailments as the infusion. Can be combined with other lymphatic and detoxifying herbs such as dried poke root or lion qiao.

COMPRESS - Soak a pad in the infusion and use for burns, grazes, ulcers, and other skin inflammations.

CREAM - Use regularly to relieve psoriasis.

HAIR RINSE - Use the infusion for dandruff or scaling scalp problems.

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