Cleavers
Galium aparine
Also known as Bedstraw, Cleaver’s Herb, Catchweed, Goosegrass, Robin-Run the Hedge, Goose Grass, and Stickywilly
History: The Cleavers herb is a native to both North America and Eurasia and is a relative of the coffee plant. Fresh Cleavers are fuzzy and have a tendency to stick to fabric. This quality makes it hard to eat raw; however, it is edible if boiled. Cleavers can also be boilded to produce a red dye that is used in the manufacture of clothing made from organic fabrics.There are many medicinal attributes to the herb. Native Americans, as well as early American settlers, used Cleavers for rashes, wounds, sunburns, scurvy, kidney stones, and bladder problems.
Modern Uses: tonic for the lymphatic system, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, inflammation, blood purifier, urinary tract infections, cystitis, bladder and kidney inflammation and edema.
Warnings: Do not use cleavers if you are taking lithium
Active Ingredients: Asperuloside, caffeic-acid, gallic acid, flavonoids
Actions: diuretic, alterative, anti-inflammatory, tonic, astringent, anti-neoplastic, hepatic, laxative, vulnerary
Complementary herbs: For lymphatic issues use cleavers in conjunction with Poke root, Echinacea and/or Calendula. For skin conditions use cleavers in conjunction with Yellow Dock and Burdock.