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Cleavers – Galium aparine

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Meet Cleavers! The correct botanical name is Galium aparine. We need that botanical name because plants have “nicknames” that vary with culture and geographical area. Some of the common nicknames for Galium aparine are Catchweed, Bedstraw, Cleavers, Stickyweed, Sticky willy, Goosegrass and Velcro plant.
Plant Family is Rubiaceae.
Constituents: Acids (caffeic, gallic, salicylic, citric), iridoid glycosides (asperuloside), tannins (gallotannic acid), coumarins, flavonoids, polyphenolic acid, alkanes, anthraquinones (root only)
Cleavers emerges in early spring. You’ll find it in woodlands, meadows, prairies, and more. This spring I found it in my greenhouse! I often see it at our local zoo but never where the geese hang out. Geese gobble this herb up!
It can grow 6 feet “tall” but because it has a weak stem it doesn’t actually grow upright it crawls along the ground and over any obstacles.
It’s leave are arranged in whorls of 8 and it feels lightly “sticky”. This is because it has backward hooked bristles on its leaves and stems. It clings to clothing, socks, animal fur and more. Its buds are also sticky and hitchhike on animals or people to spread its seed.
Cleavers is considered an edible “weed”. So many of my favorite herbs are often considered weeds! This is a very safe herb – it’s not toxic in any way, there are no known contraindications and it has no reported interactions.
What can it be used for? Cleavers is considered a lymphatic tonic. It has been used to increase lymphatic drainage and break up lymphatic congestion (enlarged lymph nodes) especially in the pelvis. It has also been used historically as a demulcent for the urinary tract in the cases of cystitis, urethritis, prostatitis and pyelonephritis. It has often been used topically for inflammation of the skin, minor injuries and a variety of skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
I tincture this herb every spring and use it as a part of my formula for UTIs.
Take a walk outside and let me know if you find Galium aparine!

Comments

4 responses to “Cleavers – Galium aparine”

  1. Anita Avatar
    Anita

    I wish I had more land to have more plants. I’m learning more about them and how they work, and I love using natural versus man-made when possible.

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    1. Cheri Avatar
      Cheri

      Anita,
      I don’t care what people say…plants are addictive – especially medicinal ones! You probably have many growing in your yard! I love that our Father provided a healthy alternative to allopathic meds. I’m not against them but, like you, if I can do it naturally, then that’s what I want to do! No side effects either! And many benefits that you don’t find the the synthetic version of meds.
      Blessings,
      Cheri

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  2. Honey Avatar
    Honey

    Our yard is FULL of cleavers!! I never knew there was anything good about them until just now. Do I dry them? What is the process? I have such an abundance of cleavers, I would invite anyone who wanted to come help themselves. My husband is a stickler for removing every invasive plant and is good about spotting new returning plants after he eradicates them. He got rid of all the twinberry a few years ago, all the poison oak, and most of the ball burrs, too. I’ll tell him about the cleavers, he prob won’t remove them, since they’re not especially noxious, but might be nice to have some of this tincture. Thanks

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    1. Cheri Avatar
      Cheri

      Hi Honey! I bring them in and place them on a layer of paper towel to dry. It only takes a few days unless humidity is very high. If you plan to tincture them, just cut them up fresh and place into canning jars – cover with 100 proof vodka and let sit 30 days before using. I cut them fairly fine. I’m not sure how your husband is eradicating these plants he considers invasive but if he is using weed killer, I would not harvest anything from your yard. There are many plants considered invasive in yards that are fantastic medicinals, plantain, mullein, red clover, and more!

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